Starting Problems

[bobinyeovil]

Hi

I have a 1972 Traveller and I am having problems with it starting. It coughs and sputters, misfiring and blowing back. When it warms up it runs well. Pulling the choke out does not seem to make any difference. Could it be the timing is out or the choke not working?

thanks for your help

Bob

[Willie]

If it starts well once it has warmed up and the tickover is nice and even then
yes it would point to a problem with the choke mechanism not enriching the
mixture enough. If you get someone to pull out the choke while you watch
the jet assembly(right at the bottom of the carb) it should move DOWN. If it
does not then you will have to check the operating linkage to which the choke
cable is attached. It could be as simple as the choke cable having too much
slack because it has slipped through the pinch bolt because the nut was too
loose. You can tell because there should be 1/4"maximum free play at the
choke lever on the dashboard before you feel the extra resistance as you
move the jet downwards against its spring pressure.

[minor_hickup]

what happens if you rev the engine after you start it?

[Chris Morley]

I have a 1972 Traveller and I am having problems with it starting. It coughs and sputters, misfiring and blowing back.

I had similar symptoms a few weeks ago. Changed the plugs, dizzie and air filter and cleared the mayo from the breather pipe. However that wasn't the cause - the cause was the points - quite simply they had closed up. Totally!

I have no idea how my Minor started and ran like that for a whole week - once it was warmed up it was actually running more or less OK (although it was a bit rough).

[bmcecosse]

Blowing back suggest maybe a valve problem - start by checking the valve clearances - and a compression check will be useful too. It could also be ignition related - for all they cost, new points + condenser + rotor arm + dizzy cap + new plugs gives you virtually new system which should be trouble-free for many a mile!