Bit of a starting issue
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 5:31 pm
I have just been browsing the old forum for threads on starting problems. There are many, some quite worrying but I do not think I have a severe issue.
About 6 weeks ago the car started but ran roughly as if missing on one cylinder. I put this down to condensation as my bike did the same. A bit of wd and the bike was cured.
However the BX carried on to run a bit rough on the driveway. Now it was VERY low on fuel and may have even run out, I think it did (this could be the faux pas). I had a nice gerry can full of V power ready so now have V power in the tank. The problem is the car turns over and over from cold, may splutter a bit, carries on turning over and eventually will fire up. Previously I did take the plugs out which were very wet, warmed them with a blow torch and found it started immediatly. This did not work the next time.
If the car is left more than a couple of days this problem surfaces. Again today, took ages to start so clearly something wrong. I kind of suspect dirt or contaminated fuel,(the old stuff was in a while). Once started it runs fine.
The last time I remember having any problem with starting was when a previous engine was jet washed, behaved in a similar way but would not start until it dried out over a day later. I think the little module on the bulk head got wet. I know they hate water so have put some wd on it today!
So, I will be changing the fuel filter as this is due anyway and hope fuel is not bad. I may change the plugs, they are single electrode Bosch but since it has run fine with these I am not sure they will be the casue and they have done little mileage. I have adjusted the gap today to .8, it was less for some reason. If I change I will get triples. I have cleaned up the coil connection today also.
I fitted a new dizzy cap about a year ago. It came from GSF, I requested OEM but came out with BERU . Has been OK to date. Also have Magnecor leads, very little use, fitted with Dizzy.
Something I have done today may solve the issue but I will not know until Tuesday or so.
I guess I am sharing the issue really but equally wondering if any ideas to cut down on unecessary work and stress
About 6 weeks ago the car started but ran roughly as if missing on one cylinder. I put this down to condensation as my bike did the same. A bit of wd and the bike was cured.
However the BX carried on to run a bit rough on the driveway. Now it was VERY low on fuel and may have even run out, I think it did (this could be the faux pas). I had a nice gerry can full of V power ready so now have V power in the tank. The problem is the car turns over and over from cold, may splutter a bit, carries on turning over and eventually will fire up. Previously I did take the plugs out which were very wet, warmed them with a blow torch and found it started immediatly. This did not work the next time.
If the car is left more than a couple of days this problem surfaces. Again today, took ages to start so clearly something wrong. I kind of suspect dirt or contaminated fuel,(the old stuff was in a while). Once started it runs fine.
The last time I remember having any problem with starting was when a previous engine was jet washed, behaved in a similar way but would not start until it dried out over a day later. I think the little module on the bulk head got wet. I know they hate water so have put some wd on it today!
So, I will be changing the fuel filter as this is due anyway and hope fuel is not bad. I may change the plugs, they are single electrode Bosch but since it has run fine with these I am not sure they will be the casue and they have done little mileage. I have adjusted the gap today to .8, it was less for some reason. If I change I will get triples. I have cleaned up the coil connection today also.
I fitted a new dizzy cap about a year ago. It came from GSF, I requested OEM but came out with BERU . Has been OK to date. Also have Magnecor leads, very little use, fitted with Dizzy.
Something I have done today may solve the issue but I will not know until Tuesday or so.
I guess I am sharing the issue really but equally wondering if any ideas to cut down on unecessary work and stress