Dies after start up

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by alpha981, Oct 19, 2018.

  1. I've lived with this for ages and it's not a massive issue BUT -

    Whenever I start the van (even after being parked up for months) it fires on the very first turn of the key, BUT it then immediately dies if I don't catch it just right on the throttle. It then takes a good 5-10 secs of cranking to get her going again.

    This happens regardless of whether I pump the peddle to get the acc pump squirting some fuel in, depress peddle to the floor or slowly increase throttle opening.

    Any thoughts as to why it should starve itself of fuel (I assume) immediately after the initial firing?
     
  2. Filter ,bita poo ?
     
  3. Nah mate - it's been changed recently and there would be enough fuel in the float bowls to allow it to tick over for a bit I would have thought?
     
    Barneyrubble likes this.
  4. Do you first "blipp" the throttle to activate the automatic choke? :thinking: Is it working as it should be?:thinking:
     
    snotty likes this.
  5. ^this, if you've got a stock carb. Is the choke working correctly?

    Twin carbs: may be the carbs draining down, so only a small amount of fuel left in the float bowls.
     
  6. Twin ITC`s = no choke ??

    :hattip:
     
  7. Its stock twin carbs so electronic chokes (which do work correctly) - could be draining down I guess, so perhaps a dribble to start it but then need to wait for the pump to push up a fresh load before it starts.

    What's causing the carbs to drain though? Where's it going - into the crankcase :-O !!!?
     
  8. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    My old engine did this and got worse.

    As far as I can tell it was a leaky carburettor spindle bush letting air in, a split in an inlet manifold boot and also maybe leaky valves.

    A short while later I melted an exhaust valve off at part throttle going up a hill...

    I changed nothing and it got harder to start and started popping more and more. The CHT also crept up but all the usual checks showed nothing. As Weber Progressives dont suffer leaky spindles.. well they do after 60000 miles..m
     
  9. thanks Mike - I rebuilt the carbs a few years back, but didnt do the spindles as I wasnt able to get bushes at the time. I'll check for air leaks in the usual suspects as its a couple of years since Ive replaced boots on the balance pipes etc.
     
  10. Betty the Bay

    Betty the Bay Supporter

    I press the throttle to set the choke, but then lightly rest my foot on the accelerator to start.
    Works for me with standard carbs on a 2L....if I don't rest my foot on the accelerator to raise the revs ever so slightly it will have exactly the same symptoms as you.
     
  11. Electronic chokes dont need setting.... do they?
     
  12. Betty the Bay

    Betty the Bay Supporter

    I have been told by three different " specialist " that you have to depress the throttle to set choke....so I presume yes.
     
  13. Electric chokes on the Solexes, yes. You need to press the accelerator slightly to release the fast-idle cam and close the choke plate.
     
  14. ^^ Doh!! Only had it for 9 years and never realised this.

    Finally then - a short sharp dab to put some fuel down it from the acc pump, or a slow push to the floor and realease.... what's yer technique?! :)
     
  15. But has it been doing what you said for nine years :eek:
     
  16. Yes, but I've never "set" the choke before starting, so I suspect I'm only getting it going by lots of cranking as there's no choke in operation.

    Any other thoughts however most welcome
     
  17. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    Press accelerator to the floor once. Hold foot on accelerator pedal at about a quarter turn key. Starts. Rev lightly and relax!


    I think @Betty the Bay summed it up perfectly earlier on in the thread.

    Incidentally. If you turn the light switch to the right the dash lights get brighter!
     
    Betty the Bay likes this.
  18. Yes thanks - I do know that one! You'll be explaining how the red levers work next....
     
  19. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    Not absolutely sure myself tbh
     

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