Struggles to turn over on first start.

[leafie]

As title says,when the car has been stood for a day or more on first turn of the key the engine is very slow to turn over almost sticking for about 2-3 seconds as if a flat battery is to blame, then starts and runs perfectly fine. then every time it starts immediately on first turn. Am I right in suspecting the starter motor as first port of call ?

[MarkyB]

I suspect a poor connection somewhere that is getting hot on the first try and so working a bit better 2nd time around.
Make sure the engine is properly earthed, it's easily overlooked but is just as important as the power side.

[bmcecosse]

Retard the ignition timing slightly - it's kicking against the starter. Then - check if the vacuum advance is working. The static timing may have been over advanced to compensate for failed vac advance.

[leafie]

Retard the ignition timing slightly - it's kicking against the starter. Then - check if the vacuum advance is working. The static timing may have been over advanced to compensate for failed vac advance.

Thanks, that makes sense as I tried to advance the ignition until it pinked going up hill after fitting new distributor (so vacuum should be OK) but couldn't get it to pink so as the exhaust was black weakened the mixture slightly and it does now pink, tick over is fine so I will retard ignition slightly tomorrow and see how it goes.

I will also look at the earth strap and try a jump lead from engine to body to check for a bad earth as MarkyB advised.

Will update asap.

[bmcecosse]

All good thinking - let us know!

[leafie]

Slightly retarded the ignition today and instant start so hopefully sorted the problem, but will take a look at earth lead as well.

[bmcecosse]

Excellent!

[leafie]

Out of interest why does this happen?

[bmcecosse]

Because you had over advanced the timing - so the spark was firing before the piston reached the top of the stroke! Trying to kick it back down the cylinder! Your battery and/or starter may also not be in top condition.....

[leafie]

Because you had over advanced the timing - so the spark was firing before the piston reached the top of the stroke! Trying to kick it back down the cylinder! Your battery and/or starter may also not be in top condition.....

Right I see, what I don't understand is why it was only happening on first attempt to start and was then fine for the rest of the day.

[kennatt]

because most old batteries loose a bit if stood and the engine oil is a bit stickier,but after a run, full charge and everything free'd up..

[bmcecosse]

Exactly! And so the starter is able to get up enough oooomph to 'throw' the piston over the top. Ancient cars have an 'advance retard' control on the steering wheel - pulled to 'retard' for starting and then swung to 'advance' for running. My mate did the same on his racing Mini. It had to be able to start on the grid, but his best performance was with quite a bit of advance on the dizzy. So - he fitted a similar control, pulled it to retard to get a sure-fire start on the grid (using a tiny motorcycle battery) then pushed it to the 'advance' position for the race !