Snoopysvet

I have a 1978 Quadrajet, what is the correct starting procedures when cold. Pump gas twice, don't pump, I am use to newer cars!

Mike Ward

It's in accordance with your owner's manual.

EmNash

One or two pumps for the first start of the day shortens your starter motor time. After that you will learn what your car likes.

BKbroiler

Push the gas pedal to the floor once to set the choke, assuming it works correctly. Then hold the pedal at part throttle and crank the engine.

Jedi926

I have a 78 and the owners manual states to "pump" gas pedal twice.

qwank

I pump the gas pedal twice. and it fires right up and goes into high idle. I back it out of the garage, close the garage door, give the throttle a slight tap so it goes into low idle and then take off.

Clubby99

Typical thinks he knows-it-all, a-hole answer.

Getting tedious Mike... why bother.

my 76 ray

For a cold start with a mechanical choke, pushing the gas pedal to the floor allows the choke to set. If the engine is warm, just turn the key and a well tuned engine will start immediately, however, on some of these old cars you need to give it some gas whether warm or cold. Like someone else said, you have to learn what your car likes.

Easy Mike

Naturally, you miss the point Clubby. Mike's answer is correct and is exactly what the OP should be doing - reading the owner's manual.

~Stingray

I pump a few times and then pump some more if the engine doesn't turn. I don't want to flood the engine so I try not to pump it too much. Is this not a good idea?

Jeff_Keryk

Cross your fingers and swear.

Snoopysvet

mechanical choke
no owners manual

noonie

Your bowl may be dry and your first few pumps may not really pump anything until cranking the engine causes the fuel pump to refill the carb.
Check the pump shot by looking down into the carb and working the linkage by hand before ever cranking the cold engine.
Once you get a real shot, it should only take 1 or 2 pumps to start.

If you flood it, hold it to the floor and keep it there until it starts, no more pumping at all, even if you sit there and have to wait a few minutes..

Snoopysvet

Interesting, cause like most C-3 owners I drive it only 2 or 3 times a month. I do seem to have to wait at times for the gassy smell to go away. (No pun intended)

briankeery

Which if you are a newer owner, and might not have yet, is precisely why we have this forum in the first place.

Maybe if you two got off your high perches once and while, and remember what it was like when you were starting out .....you wouldn't have to be so condescending.

Clams Canino

Maybe it's the same guy and a sock puppet?

-W

F4Gary

Sounds like you need to lay off the Mexican food.

Paul L

Two pumps works for me. One to set the choke and the second to get a little more fuel flowing from the accelerator pump. Fires up in about five seconds into fast-idle mode (~1200-1500rpm).

After the car is warmed up the car will fire instantly by just turning the key.

But in my experience each carb and car develops its own personality. So experiment a bit.

79L48

Well, that's a new one Easy... usually you tell people to consult the AIM... without of course explaining what that is... and then treating them like *******s for not knowing...
I am still here after 6 years in spite of, not because of people like you and your "answers".
Glad you know every g*dd*mn thing. I'm still learning.

Mooser

Pump 5 or 6 times, whirl it over a bit while pumping a few more times, wait a few seconds, pump 5 or 6 more times, whirl, more pumping, more whirling.

Start cough quit, pump 2 or 3 times, whirl while feathering gas, start, feather feather feather stumble feather feather stumble feather quit, start and feather without pumping feather feather rough idle slightly better idle, ok

drive, stop, start fine
wait a week and repeat procedure from the beginning
drive like that forever

2 years ago, read Lars papers, attack carb with a purpose and plan rather than randomly adjusting things)
Adjusted everything, fixed several wrong linkages, etc.


Past couple of years it's now whirl engine for about 2-3 seconds
pump twice
start car - fast idle
touch pedal after about 30 seconds - regular idle
drive

I put a new fuel pump on this winter and proper carb filter so hopefully it will fix the drain back and I might not even need to whirl to bring fuel to the carb before trying to start.
Got the latest versions of his papers and I'm going to give it another fine once over again this year just to see if it needs it.

Mooser