1980 Hard to start
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 408
From: Greer, SC
1980 Hard to start
Picked up a 1980 L82 a few weeks ago. Finally got it running pretty good. The only issue mechanically is when it sits overnight it is very hard to start. It cranks fine but often takes 3-4 minutes before I can get it started. Once started it runs great and I can turn it off and even after a couple of hours it still starts fine.
I'm thinking maybe the fuel bowl in the qjet is leaking? The carb was rebuilt but has been sitting for 15 years.
Any suggestions?
I'm thinking maybe the fuel bowl in the qjet is leaking? The carb was rebuilt but has been sitting for 15 years.
Any suggestions?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
Make certain that the choke is closing!
After a drive let it sit overnight or until STONE cold. Remove the air cleaner cover and pull back the throttle slightly. The choke blade over the front two (smaller) bowls should snap nearly shut leaving a 3/32" or so gap.
After a drive let it sit overnight or until STONE cold. Remove the air cleaner cover and pull back the throttle slightly. The choke blade over the front two (smaller) bowls should snap nearly shut leaving a 3/32" or so gap.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
Picked up a 1980 L82 a few weeks ago. Finally got it running pretty good. The only issue mechanically is when it sits overnight it is very hard to start. It cranks fine but often takes 3-4 minutes before I can get it started. Once started it runs great and I can turn it off and even after a couple of hours it still starts fine.
I'm thinking maybe the fuel bowl in the qjet is leaking? The carb was rebuilt but has been sitting for 15 years.
Any suggestions?
I'm thinking maybe the fuel bowl in the qjet is leaking? The carb was rebuilt but has been sitting for 15 years.
Any suggestions?
choke is a good suggesting so i will
ask what you are doing when trying to start.
3 min of cranking is a Long time.
hope you are resting the starter and not cranking
a long time at a try.
what makes you suspect the float?
do you experience with non fuel injected cars?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 395
Likes: 52
From: wilmington Ma
If the choke is closing but still cranks for 3 to 4 minutes look in the carb and hand pump the throttle to see if you see fuel spraying . .. if no the carb body might be porous and the fuel draining over night , I suspect the choke tho , the carb can be fixed if porous with epoxy so don't toss it.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 212
Likes: 18
From: Bucks County, PA
I have a similar problem in my '80, however it doesn't take nearly that long. If I haven't bene driving in a day or longer it take about 10-15 seconds of cranking / pumping of pedal to get her going. After that she fires right up immediately until she sits overnight again. I just assume that is indicative of fuel line slowly leaking pressure once it is off.
3-4 minutes seems pretty extreme.
3-4 minutes seems pretty extreme.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,501
From: Little Rock AR
Forgive me if you already know this - Push pedal to the floor once to set choke, then turn the key and crank the engine. It should start. This is not fuel injection so you need to set the choke first.
If that is already known, verify the choke is closing when you set it.
If choke is closing, Open it with your fingers and check for fuel coming out from the accelerator pump when you work the throttle back and forth. You should see the squirt.
If that is already known, verify the choke is closing when you set it.
If choke is closing, Open it with your fingers and check for fuel coming out from the accelerator pump when you work the throttle back and forth. You should see the squirt.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 408
From: Greer, SC
I should clarify. I don't continually crank for 3-4 minutes. It takes a while but I think I exagertated on the actual time to start it. It's more like crank for 15 seconds, pump the gas, crank for 15 seconds repeat. Once it does start, it will often stall when put in gear. Once warmed up, it runs like a top.
I was away but I'll check the choke today. I used to rebuild qjets about 35 years so you'd think I'd know how to troubleshoot starting issues by now
This one looks brand new. I can see all the gaskets are new and the body of the carb is like new.
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'll post my results later.
I was away but I'll check the choke today. I used to rebuild qjets about 35 years so you'd think I'd know how to troubleshoot starting issues by now
This one looks brand new. I can see all the gaskets are new and the body of the carb is like new.Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'll post my results later.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 408
From: Greer, SC
Got home and pulled the air cleaner. Pushed the gas all the way to the floor. The choke was open close to 3/32's. Took about 3 trys at starting, 15 seconds of cranking each time. It fired up on the 4th try. If i put it in gear withjn 2-3 minutes it stalls. Seems fine once the temp starts coming up.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
Got home and pulled the air cleaner. Pushed the gas all the way to the floor. The choke was open close to 3/32's. Took about 3 trys at starting, 15 seconds of cranking each time. It fired up on the 4th try. If i put it in gear withjn 2-3 minutes it stalls. Seems fine once the temp starts coming up.
cold? try 2 pumps of the throttle
warm? try 1/2 throttle to set choke
stalling could be choke coming off too soon.
what i am after is whether you are not giving the car enough gas for the weather temp or giving too much gas.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 408
From: Greer, SC
Garage temp has been in the 50's. It gets some heat as its under our bedroom. It has to run about 15 minutes or it stalls when putting in gear. Its an auto trans. Once it gers to temp, it runs great and starts immediately.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
i would try a 1 1/2 to 2 pump to set choke.
15 min is extreme.
crossover in mani may have been blocked
thermostat may be too cold
idle to low
choke not coming off
guessing sucks
time for some investigation
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,352
Likes: 2,725
From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
I am amazed that this issue (a frequent one and like a few other subjects) was answered in the first 3-6 posts. Yet it has been beaten to death again through 32 posts. Please put it in the "Sticky" section. 