My 1275 Bugeye, which gets driven every week or ten days (depends on the
weather), is also reluctant to start the first time. It has an electric fuel
pump, which I let come up to pressure before pressing the starter, so there
has to be some other mechanism for the reluctant starts. My carbs were just
rebuilt last spring. The car starts well if it's been run in the last day or
two.
Perhaps it takes a certain amount of vacuum to pull the gas fully up into
the jets?
Tom Zuchowski
-----Original Message-----
From: Guy Weller <Guy@weller-lakes.freeserve.co.uk>
To: spridgets@autox.team.net <spridgets@Autox.Team.Net>
Date: Saturday, November 14, 1998 8:38 AM
Subject: Re: Ideas for quicker engine starting?
>John,
> If I don't use my '78 Midget for more than a couple of days I get this
>problem.
>I think that the cause is that the fuel evaporates (or leaks) out of the
>carbs.
>Because this engine has a mechanical fuel pump you have to turn the whole
>dead engine over just to fill the carbs, - then it fires up.
>(This contrasts with the earlier cars that have an electric pump which
fills
>the carbs as soon as the key is turned, and before the engine has to turn
>over.)
>I have found that the best way of starting if the car has been unused for a
>few days is to turn the engine on the key for 3 or 4 rotations, then wait;
>count to 10. Same again.
>What happens is that the fuel pump builds up a pressure when the engine is
>turning, and fuel goes on flowing to the carbs whilst you "rest" the
>electric starter.
>Depending how empty the carbs are you may need to repeat that sequence 2 or
>3 times, but it is easier on the battery.
>You could always fit an electric pump. Turn the key, wait for the pump to
>stop clicking, and then spin the motor.
>
>Guy
>-----Original Message-----
>From: John C. Gottstein <gottstein@erols.com>
>To: spridgets@autox.team.net <spridgets@Autox.Team.Net>
>Date: 13 November 1998 20:50
>Subject: Ideas for quicker engine starting?
>
>
>>Hey Spridget List,
>> First of all, although you don't hear from me much, I've learned
>>a TON from this list, so thank you a thousand times.
>>Now, my '75 Midget, Cha Cha, runs really nicely, but since I really
>>only drive it on weekends, it takes forever to start after it has sat
>>for even a few days. I would say it takes about 20-25 turns of the key
>>before the engine even turns over. Any insight into how to achieve more
>>successful starts would be appreciated. I just changed the plugs, so
>>that didn't do anything.
>>
>>As you can tell I'm not the most mechanically inclined out of all of
>>you, but I sure am learning.
>>
>>Thanks a lot,
>> John
>>
>>--
>>John C. Gottstein '75 Midget - Cha Cha
>>gottstein@erols.com
>>
>>"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."
>> -Clemenza in "The Godfather"
>>
>>
>>
>
>
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