Starting problem

[chrisxr2]

I have asked this on a few forums and still not sussed the problem so i will try here. Car has had new, plugs, leads dizzy rotor arm etc. Engine is a 1275 mg metro with stage one kit. Basically once my mini is warm and for a good few hours afterwards it starts first time no problem. From cold it will turn over for ages before it fires. When it does fire it will die. No amount of throttle choke or anything makes any difference. Will start about 7 times before it stays started. Any ideas as it is quite frustrating. Thanks in advance.

[annodomini2]

Blocked jet?

Drawing in air?

What carb(s) does it have fitted?

[Plank]

Dirty points, or condensor on the way out? Coil on the way out?

[chrisxr2]

HIF44 carb is fitted. It has no points its electronic ignition. Coil is on my list but the fact it starts once it has stayed started for hours afterwards is what puzzles me. Hope that makes sense.

[minimaster]

My Guess is drawn air at the manifold. Once started the build up of heat and expansion creates a seal therefore allowing normal running for the rest of the day.

[chrisxr2]

any ideas on the best way to test the air being pulled in at the manifold?? Or how to fix.

[annodomini2]

If you can get it to start cold and its a still day you can use smoke e.g. lit cigarette as if its sucking air the smoke should be drawn towards it.

You'll have to remove the manifold and replace the gaskets, It may show up as the cause or not but you'll need to replace the gaskets anyway (they're about £2), you may need to remove the exhaust manifold to access the gasket depending on the type fitted.

Would suggest replacing the one between the carb and the manifold aswell.

Is the car pinking when driving?

[chrisxr2]

No pinking, will change all the gaskets etc when i get home (Stuck in northern turkey for a few more weeks), for a couple of quid it is worth doing just to rule that out anyway, or solve it.

Actually thinking about it yes it is pinking but only till slightly warmed up.

Edited by chrisxr2 on Saturday 13th March 16:11

[chrisj_abz]

another way of checking for air being drawn in at the manifold is with the engine running squirt wd40 on the manifold flange and if the revs change then theres a gap!

[Pitstopralph]

My guess is that the choke isn't working. If the car was drawing in air it would not idle when warm. I'd have a look at exactly what happens when you pull the choke cable if this looks ok, the take a look at the choke mechanism, if it's been apart, there is agood chance the o rings are missing or damaged.

Ralp

[chrisxr2]

Tahnks pistol ralph, will give that a check, choke does alter revs etc but to what degree?? Another check to put on my list, will let you know when i find out what the problem is. (Stuck in northern turkey for a bit yet)

[chrisxr2]

Fixed by magic and luck. Overfilled dashpot yesteday and let the oil burn off, later on in the day adjusted the mixture, car pulls like a train and starts first time now, pot luck i guess, waiing for something to break now to even things out.