Home page
SPONSOR AD

Support our Vendors!  |  Advertise Here

Topic: Getting started

in Forum: C3 Engines


Already a Member?
Login
Not yet a Member?
Register for Free!

Getting started (1/7)
 10/22/10 1:04pm
Eric76
Former Member

Send Private Message

, - Canada

Vette(s):
1976, custom paint, chrome headers/side pipes, front/rear spoilers, dual side sport mirrors, bubble tail light conversion


Joined: 9/3/2003
Posts: 431

I've had this on-going  "first start-up of the day" problem for awhile and it's really starting to bug me.  Here's the situation:
 
First start of the day, the engine will crank over, and over, and over but will not start.  Takes 2 or 3 attempts and sounds like there's no gas.  Pumping the accelerator a few times does seem to help on the 2nd or 3rd try, but can then seem like it's starting to flood if I don't "back off" on the accelerator.
 
Once she's started, if after running for a minute I then shut her off - turn the key again - she'll start right up first time. Engine barely cranks over 2x before firing up.  Then it's good all day.  The next morning, same thing - that first startup is more work.
 
Now, I personally can easily sympathize that as we all get older Confused that first start in the morning takes a little more effort LOL, but I'm wondering if there's something going on either with the carb or fuel pump or fuel line/filter?
 
Any ideas?
Our Sponsors help support C3VR
Getting started (2/7)
 10/22/10 2:07pm
JoeTrecca
Limited Member
Send Private Message

Charlottesville, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary L82 Previously: 1965 300hp Coupe in 1967. 1967 435hp Coupe in 1968-70. 1969 350hp T-top w/ac and all power options.


Joined: 9/3/2010
Posts: 104

Hi Eric,
 
That problem of cold starts may be related to the setting of the choke on the carb. If the choke is closing too far, the cylinders will load with gas and the plugs will not fire. Pumping the accelerator probably opens the choke enough to eventually start. I suggest checking the adjustment of the choke when the engine is cold. Holding part-way down on the acc. should open the choke slightly when cranking the engine.                I hope that this helps!


______________

Joe T
Getting started (3/7)
 10/22/10 4:45pm
lukesvetteLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.


Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

Choke setting was my absolute first thought as well.
 
Eric, is this a Qjet or after market card? Either way, get ahold of the service manual and follow the instructions to check your choke settings and see if that helps matters any. Is the carb in good shape? Rebuilt in the last couple of years?
Getting started (4/7)
 10/22/10 7:54pm
Eric76
Former Member

Send Private Message

, - Canada

Vette(s):
1976, custom paint, chrome headers/side pipes, front/rear spoilers, dual side sport mirrors, bubble tail light conversion


Joined: 9/3/2003
Posts: 431

[QUOTE=JoeTrecca]Hi Eric,
 
That problem of cold starts may be related to the setting of the choke on the carb. If the choke is closing too far, the cylinders will load with gas and the plugs will not fire. Pumping the accelerator probably opens the choke enough to eventually start. I suggest checking the adjustment of the choke when the engine is cold. Holding part-way down on the acc. should open the choke slightly when cranking the engine.                I hope that this helps!
[/QUOTE]
 
I think you may be on to something regarding the choke. I know that once it does catch, if I don't keep my foot on the gas a little, the idle is so low that it will stall out.  I will have to look at the choke settings and see what's going on there.  Thanks!
Getting started (5/7)
 10/22/10 7:56pm
Eric76
Former Member

Send Private Message

, - Canada

Vette(s):
1976, custom paint, chrome headers/side pipes, front/rear spoilers, dual side sport mirrors, bubble tail light conversion


Joined: 9/3/2003
Posts: 431

[QUOTE=lukesvette]Choke setting was my absolute first thought as well.
 
Eric, is this a Qjet or after market card? Either way, get ahold of the service manual and follow the instructions to check your choke settings and see if that helps matters any. Is the carb in good shape? Rebuilt in the last couple of years?
[/QUOTE]
 
It's a rebuilt Qjet that was put on about 5 years ago now.  It's been this way almost since the carb was replaced so maybe the carb is bad or it was never properly adjusted. 
Getting started (6/7)
 10/22/10 10:49pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

Good to see you back on the forum, Eric!
Once you check the choke, and adjust if needed, and that doesn't correct the problem, you'll need to remove the carb, take the bottom(throttle) plate off, and epoxy the core plugs on the fuel bowl. They're leaking, and all of the fuel that is in the bowl is running out into the engine overnight, so there's not enough fuel in the bowl to fire it off first thing in the morning. Most Q-puke rebuild kits come with a small foam rubber-like "pad" that fits down in the throttle plate, to seal these core plugs, but they don't work very well, or for very long.
A smidgen of JB Weld will usually resolve the leak. I usually take a small hammer and peen the plugs a little first, just to seat them back up in the body of the carb, then mix up the JB Weld, and schmere it over the plugs. You have to watch how much you put on there, because the bottom(throttle) plate has to bolt back on, and if you get too much epoxy on the plugs, the plate will not sit flat, and then you've got another problem all together. What I do is put the epoxy on the plugs, and give it a few minutes to harden up a bit...enough that it doesn't smear off easily. Then, I'll sit the bottom plate on there, and mash it down with hand pressure. That way, when I take the plate back off, I can see how much epoxy is enough. If there's too much to let the plate sit flat, then I have to wait until it hardens completely, then use a good mill file to file the epoxy down a little, until the throttle plate will fit nicely.
hth


(Photo credit: kstyer)


______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Getting started (7/7)
 11/23/10 8:09pm
Tims73Roadster
Former Member

Send Private Message


Vette(s):
1973 convertible. 350 Auto. PS/PW/PB. Frame off restoration, still needs paint. Driven in the summer everywhere possible. Was Metalic Yellow on Tan.Now Blue on Black interior. Black cloth Top.


Joined: 11/19/2010
Posts: 1

You can check the bowl leakage by first thing in the morning, remove the breather. open the choke plate, and crank the throttle to see if gas squirts into engine. If there is no fuel right away then for sure Your bowls are leaking. Nice to stumble on someone local. I used to live in Amherstburg. Still go down that way once in a while. If You have fuel right away then its probably the choke. Good luck.Thumbs Up
Our Sponsors help support C3VR