Q-Jet dies when cold with choke
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 81
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From: Annandale Virginia
Q-Jet dies when cold with choke
I'm having trouble with my 76 L82 4spd. The car is running good with the exception of cold starts. This problem has just come up, the only thing that has changed recently is I replaced the coil and module in the distributor. When the choke is set, the car fires right up however after about 10 seconds it just cuts right out. I can start it right up again, but it then stalls again. Sometimes it will stall and recover, but usually not. Revving the engine does not seem to help. I've checked the choke pull off for a vacuum leak and it seems fine. The air valve closes then pulls off and I've adjusted it to make sure of the right amount. I've also tried different adjustments on the choke coil. If I manually disengage the choke at the carb with my finger it will stay running if the car is warm enough. Once it's running and warmed up it appears to operate OK.
Thanks for your help.
Mike
Thanks for your help.
Mike
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
How does the choke coil get the [hot] intake gases to it? Could that passage be plugged up with carbon/soot? Also, you should try to check out and set up the choke per the Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual instructions. If you follow those instructions for choke and carb adjustments and set up, it should work properly.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Annandale Virginia
Thanks for the tip, I'll double check on the vacuum leak idea, but I don't think that is it. When I cover the carb while it's running the car stalls, wouldn't it keep running if there were a leak?
The choke gets hot air from a tube that goes into the intake manifold.
The choke gets hot air from a tube that goes into the intake manifold.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,056
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From: Redruth Cornwall
You say it will fire right up from cold and run for about 10 seconds before it stalls.
When starting from a cold engine is the choke flap almost completely closed and when she does start, is she on high idle?
When starting from a cold engine is the choke flap almost completely closed and when she does start, is she on high idle?
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 81
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From: Annandale Virginia
jotto,
She is on high idle when starting cold and the choke flap closes all the way then opens 1/4" once running. Adjusting the air flap changes the way it runs (better or worse) but it still stalls. It is bizarre, at first I thought it was something electrical, but I don't think so because the car will run without the choke. It sounds good when it's running, it then just dies all the sudden.
Anyone ever seen this before?
She is on high idle when starting cold and the choke flap closes all the way then opens 1/4" once running. Adjusting the air flap changes the way it runs (better or worse) but it still stalls. It is bizarre, at first I thought it was something electrical, but I don't think so because the car will run without the choke. It sounds good when it's running, it then just dies all the sudden.
Anyone ever seen this before?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 8
From: Redruth Cornwall
can you get a short video of a cold start with air cleaner etc removed on your cell phone perhaps? May make it a little easier for people to see and hear whats happening.
Has the car been sat for any amount of time?
Has the car been sat for any amount of time?
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