I have a problem with my Dutton in that from cold it's a pig to start. It's a standard 1.6 ford 711 crossflow with downdraft carb. It has electronic ignition. The spark is good and fuel is ok. It just turns over but does not fire for ages. If I squirt a bit of carb cleaner into the intake it will fire straight way and run ok. Once running it runs fine. It's ok starting when warm. I suppose it's either a lack of excess of fuel. Anyone any ideas please.

If it runs when you squirt the carb cleaner into it (which is basically just various volatile liquids) it would suggest its not getting fuel initially. I'd suspect the fuel pump isn't working very well- if you pump the throttle a few times first the accelerator jets should squirt in a bit extra fuel- does that help any?
Anyway, I'd suspect the fuel pump is a bit marginal and isn't producing enough oomph during starting to get the fuel flowing...

How old is the fuel? It becomes less volatile if left for a while. I'm assuming that the choke is working?

Try waiting a few seconds for the carb to fill, pump the accelerator 3-4 times, then hold the throttle slightly open and give it a try.

My crossflow with a DGAV (no choke) starts easiest[1] this way.

[1] Comparatively, it's still a T***

Fuels unleaded about 6 months old, pump throttle does squirt fuel, choke works ok. Even if pump was a bit iffy thought would fire from fuel in carb bowls. If pump was iffy I would have thought I would hve trouble running, which I don't

I used to have this problem with my x-flow powered anglia.
Sometimes your plugs "wet up" with fuel.
Try a different grade of spark plugs. I used to start mine on bosch plugs and run ngk if I was racing.

6 month old fuel sounds a bit yucky. Now this is top-of-my-head but won't the really volatile (low boiling temp) bits evaporate first just leaving the higher boiling point stuff that might need the carbs to be warm to go into vapour?!?!

Mind you, that might all be a load of bollocks...

On my buggy it has huge twin carbs and no choke flaps. To get it to fire I turn it over a few times with the power to the coil off (I have a separate switch) this pulls the fuel though the pump and refills the carbs float chambers. Then I give the accelerator a few presses to prime the cylinders with fuel and turn it over. Whilst turning I then flick on the coil and bingo it starts. Probably sounds a bit of a palava but it's second nature to do now.

quote:

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Originally posted by jabs
Fuels unleaded about 6 months old, pump throttle does squirt fuel, choke works ok. Even if pump was a bit iffy thought would fire from fuel in carb bowls. If pump was iffy I would have thought I would hve trouble running, which I don't

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Nothing to do with plug grade, fords of this era were pigs to cold start due to a number of issues.

Whatever the cause as already sugested fresh fuel will help - petrol has a shelf life.

Question
(1) what carb(s) is the engine fitted with ? and is the choke auto or manual ?
(2) Are you pumping the throttle or using the choke ? -- Usual Ford procedure is either pump the throttle twice or use the choke never both as it will flood the engine.

Although it sounds like the engine isn't getting cold start enrichment be aware especially if you have a single choke Ford/Fomoco/Autolite, Zenith or Solex carb these engines flood easily. With the Weber carbs this isn't as much an issue.

With old Fords if they don't start on the first or second attempt put the choke in and hold the throttle to the floor for the third attempt.

[Edited on 28/3/07 by britishtrident]

I have a little ritual with my x-flow (also with downdraft carb)...

Put on about half choke (never full choke, unless VERY cold).

Pump the accelerator pedal about 3 times.

Crank the engine.

If the battery is fit (mine's on a maintenance charger when not being driven) then the engine will start every time.

It won't quite start without choke when cold. I can usually take off the choke within 100 yards.

Thanks for quick replies, will try fresh fuel as tank is nearly empty anyway

All the good stuff's probably evaporated