Another question! Engine sounds bad when first started.

[Geraldine]

Sorry, seem to have a lot of questions at the moment, please forgive my ignorance!
When I start the engine from cold it's really juddery and cuts out unless I rev the engine slightly even with full choke. There is also black stuff coming out of the exhaust which has made a pretty pattern on my garage door!
Once the engine is warmed up it's fine. This morning it cut out in traffic on the way to work just down the road but restarted straight away, and later after work it seemed OK.

[aupickup]

possibly carb to rich

take out plugs and look at the condition of them
if they are oily then could be rings valve seals
if wet then to rich

lightish tan is a good colour to have

[PSL184]

I'd say you were giving it too much choke - don't pull the knob out so far and see if it runs smoother. Sounds like its flooding until it warms up and the choke is closed. You might need full choke to start but then go straight in half way. See how it goes....

[bmcecosse]

As above ^^^^ - it's just far too much choke! In summer - you don't have to pull it all the way out when starting , and even then - it should be pushed back in approx half way virtually as soon as the engine fires up!

[eastona]

totally agree, in this weather I rarely need more than 1/2 choke and it's in almost as soon as I'm up to speed, only pulled out slightly at the T junction at the end of the street.

It's then back in for the remainder of the journey.

It's good to experiment and find out just how little you need. (

saves fuel too! )

Andrew.

[Geraldine]

Yes, was using far too much choke, now running much more smoothly (apart from wobbly fanbelt!!) thanks for your help.