harder to start....

[phurn]

i replaced my headlight the other day, renewed abit of wiring while i was there as it wasnt looking to healthy, nothign major just replaced some connections and fitted new earths. but since then its been a little more reluctant to start, and when it does fire it seems to be a bit sluggish at low revs for litterally the first two mins, then all is fine. fuel consumption seems ot be worse too.... which makes me think its in no way connected ot the lights and more just an unhappy coincidence

any ideas?

[dalebrignall]

please dont take this the wrong way are you using the choke to start the car when cold,changing the earth lead will only make things better for your car.

[katy]

When you "fitted new earths", did you make sure ALL the connections were shiny clean? No rust, paint, oil or other crud on them?

[phurn]

ofcourse im using the choke ;) even so it still takes a few more cranks to fire than used to. earths are all good in nice clean contact with the body, a good spark too. as i said im pretty sure cleaning the earths up is just coincidence as it feels like its not gettign enough fuel for the first 10 seconds or so when you try to start it.

oddly enough though the cars beenr unnign abit rich since ive had it, ive been meaning to get round to adjusting it.

[bmcecosse]

The weather is colder - the battery may be a bit down.... . Time to check/clean/adjust the plugs and points methinks!

[MarkyB]

As above, except about the weather, it really hasn't been cold yet, down here at least.
You shouldn't need more choke until it gets down into low single figures.
Rain and wind chill make us feel cold, but have little or no effect on engines.

Does the engine spin over on the starter as fast as it did before?

[phurn]

yep spins just as fast and the battery is only 3 months old.

come ot think of it i remember showing a guy at work the old girl, went for a [Don't swear or you will be banned - Admin] came back and hed taken the black top off the carb, *for a look*, i put it back on told him not to touch my things and thaught no more of it.... could this have cuased problems?

[bmcecosse]

Can't see it - unless he bent the spindle. Chcek the piston can rise and fall easily.

[phurn]

ill have a quick look at it before i drive to work tomorrow. tbh its a very weird car, its half been loved and had money spent, half been bodged to oblivion. its got recent reciepts for a new exhuast, battery, brake cylinders, alternator, alsorts.... but then it also has the paint job from hell, wiring with more bullet connectors than wire, switches where theyre shouldnt be switches and one of my door hinges has been scruffily welded on.... still a mot with no advisories means i get to fix it up as i go along i guess....

oh and it has the ugliest roof rack ive ever seen... problem is i forget to take it off

[phurn]

Well the piston was in fine order so no problems there.... wasn't as bad this morning actually. Moaned abit when I came off choke to early but other than that no problems.

[MarkyB]

Depending on how long your ablutions took, he may have messed with something else.
You need to learn how much choke your car likes, it's called character.