Long Cranking

[vwdub78]

Hi everyone, really nice to be part of the community I've just joined after we have purchased our first T2 camper 1971 in Red, absolutely love it and looking forward to getting her back to original.

I understand that from cold you pump the acc pedal twice and then start, this results in a start up within 2-3s.
However after a drive, if we pop in for a coffee come out it takes almost twice as long to fire up, feels like it is constantly cranking?
Is this normal, I would of expected it to start easier from warm?

For reference I've tried from hot start pumping and non pumping both resulting in the same.

 

[Happystamps]

hot start process is to slowly push the accelerator down to the floor, and keep it there while you crank the engine. Otherwise it runs a bit rich and may not start that well. Should always start though, so maybe make a point of getting your mechanic* to check the choke setup next time you put it in for a service

*mechanic=doesn't have to be a specialist mechanic, but if you go for a quick-fit style place they're liable to do more damage than good, and if you go for an "old boy" that tunes by ear, you might well get similar issues as the mixture/timing etc might not be bang on. I always do mine myself, but if you're outsourcing it I'd insist on timing being set using a strobe/static light depending on the distributor, the points gap being set with a dwell meter rather than feeler blades (just go accuspark, honestly), and the carb being set up using a CO meter. Then you've got quantifiable proof that your car is set up to the manufacturer's settings.

 

[vwdub78]

Ah, Ok I will give that a try first. Didn't realise a warm start had a different process.
Thanks for your help, appreciated.

 

[Raggles]

Suggest that you also take a look where your fuel lines are ... make sure there is clear air between them and anything hot. With the ethanol in modern fuel if it gets heated up when you are stationary then it can expand and flood the system making it hard to start. I had this on mine with the lines not touching but passing too close to the heat risers ... moved them and the problem went away.

May not be this .... but worth a check if still an issue.

Advice I received on this ....

When the fuel line gets hot, the gas expands causing excess pressure that floods the carburetor, it’s a common problem especially with the ethanol fuels. Here is a video I made showing what happens when gas gets hot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lxlpNr2FRE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qok1bCxcQkk

This is why it starts well when cold, but when left for a few minutes when its warm the engine is flooded. I have the same problem on my Karmann Ghia. Try holding the pedal to the floor whilst cranking, this will allow more air through. Also move lines from anywhere which gets too hot.