I just bought my first Corvette, a 1981 last week. When I went to look at it and test drive it the owner had already taken it out for a little ride. When I got in, I didn't even have to press the accelarator pedal and it turned over. Ran great, Same thing when I went to pick it up. Drove it home 70 miles or so, ran perfect. Next day I went to start it up, pumped it twice and it flooded and wouldn't start. I called the guy that I bought it from and he told me it was a hard starter when it was cold. I let it sit overnight, in the morning, I went out pushed the gas pedal all the way down, released it and it started right away. Here's my dilema, used it all day Saturday, started fine everytime, didn't have to pump pedal. Sunday went to start it up pushed pedal once and released and it flooded again. Talked to a mechanic friend who said he would rebuild the Q-jet and warned me not to use it too much until he can work on it so that I didn't wash out the cylinders. Problem is I need to start the darn thing up so I can drive it to his house. Should I try tapping the side of the carb, let it sit a day and then try the push pedal and release approach. I tried to start it by holding the pedal all the way down and didn't help. I feel very frustrated with the car and feel like if I bought a lemon. Waited for a long time to buy one too. I know that an old car is going to have issues, just wish the owner would have been more honest about this one. I know that once the carb is done it should be O.K. Any help in getting it started would be appreciated as I want this problem fixed asap. Thanks guys.

 

It's unlikey that it's flooded, probably a non functioning or badly adjusted choke. When the car is stone cold, just tap the gas pedal lightly and check that the choke plate is fully closed. If not, hold it closed while someone else cranks the car. It should open partially as soon as the engine starts.

If it truly is flooded, hold the plate open while your helper cranks the car with the gas pedal held to the floor. Release both when the engine catches.

 

The choke is likley the problem since it starts fine after the first time.
Congrads on your first vette purchace.

 

Thanks for the sound advice guys. Your tips make a lot of sense Mike. If I do have to hold the choke plate fully closed while someone cranks it, do I pump it a couple of times first to get some fuel in there? I'll try it when I get home and let you know how things work out. Thanks C3 Jones, hope it turns out to be a pleasurable experience owning it.

 

To avoid flooding, I press the pedal 1/3 down, release pedal (choke plate now closed), and crank. If it doesn't fire in 3 seconds, give it another 1/3 pump while still cranking. Works every time.

 

Usually one of two full strokes will do the trick.

 

I having a hard time rationalizing how pumping the pedal once floods the car, especially with the smaller primarys on the Q-Jet. Were it flooded I don't think you need to wait all night to get it going. Choke is a good culprit, however I pump mine twice and then crank it over and pump it again while it's cranking to get it going most of the time. My choke is working perfectly, but i'm running a 670 holley street avenger.

No such word as "lemon" with a C3... I believe the term is "project" or "hobby" or "wtf?"

Good luck! - and welcome.