Engine starting problem after 6 mo layup - and it continues.

Post by **ron77** » Tue May 13, 2008 2:49 pm

I started my car last weekend after a six month sleep. It took a while, but finally caught, chugged, and ran very rough until warm--then it ran like a top.
I thought I was burning off some of the fuel preservative I had in for the winter. The following day -same thing - very difficult to start (tho battery turns the engine over very well) but when it does catch, it feels like it's running on one or two cylinders until it's warm - if I take my foot off the pedal before, it dies right away. but when warmed up, it's fine again. Any thoughts?
-battery is new
-full tank of new gas
-plugs cleaned and regapped correctly
-carb cleaned with carb cleaner
-didn't matter if air filter on or off.

Post by **ASL642** » Tue May 13, 2008 3:25 pm

Could it be that as it has been standing for so long a bit of moisture has got into the petrol mixture. This will evapourate when warmed up hence once warmed up runs ok? We've had this on cars in the past. Take it out for a gentle run (if its got an MOT of course!)

Post by **chickenjohn** » Tue May 13, 2008 3:33 pm

Could be corrosion somewhere in the ignition, try cleaning the rotor arm and distributor car contacts with a screwdriver blade, then clean the faces of the points and re-set the gap.

Post by **ron77** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:07 am

Thanks, I haven't been on to the distributor yet, but that's next on the list. It's been out for a nice run, with a new tank of petrol, but the starting problem (when cold) still bugs me.

Post by **kennatt** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:27 am

check that the choke is actually working the jet at the carb,could be stuck

Post by **ron77** » Wed May 14, 2008 1:57 pm

choke works quite well - so luckily no problems there....