Trouble starting

[noddy]

Have you checked that you are getting a spark at the plugs? Coil, condenser, plug gaps, points gap ok? Timed on number 1 cylinder, plug leads on in correct order.

Did you clean carb with carb cleaner to get crap out of all passages, is the engine even trying to start but failing to keep going?

What carb are you running?

If your carb has an accelerator circuit you should be able to see it pumping fuel into the carb when you open the throttle by hand (engine off, little tube pointing down into center of carb on solex), this will at least tell you if fuel is getting into the carb.

Is the engine starting but stumbling popping etc.

If you have fuel at the carb venture and a good spark at the plug, it is going to be either tuning i.e. timing way off, plug leads in wrong order etc (usually will pop and bang in on in wrong order).

Ian

 

[ronmidg]

petrol offtakes dont usually take fuel from the bottom to avoid sucking up the crud coming off the tank wall and anything coming in the filler, dont know about the vans but every other car Ive been into the tank has a stand off of about 1/4 or 3/8 inch, so once there is water inside if there is no drain tap its tank out to get it cleaned. I like the meths tip, not seen that before.

 

[NickJ]

I have tried tipping a bit of petrol straight down the (standard) carb and the engine fired, without that it is just turning over doesn't seem to catch at all. Although it has started a couple of times run for a few seconds then died.
I have checked the spark at distributor and at plug and there's a good spark at both, checked timing and points, new leads, plugs and coil.
How does the meths tip work as I didn't try that ?

 

[noddy]

Hi

really sounds like a blocked or sticking accelerator circuit in the carb (solex type).

If your main lining the carb (poring fuel down it) and it starting, and you have fuel and no water in the float bowl, then you have a blockage in the carb.

What carb are you running? Do you have a spare you can try?
When you stripped the carb did you remove all the jets, needle valve, float etc.

What carb are you running, solex 30 pict 1, 2, or 3, 34 pict?

What are the mixture screws set at, are they fully home causing fuel starving?

 

[Araon]

Think you've pretty much answered your Q there....

I would give your carb a real good going over by the sounds of it your jets are still a bit clogged or your still getting a **** load of water....

drain some fuel from the tank into a clear jar and leave it to sit, you should see it settle after a while (put the lid on)...

the meths helps to bind the water molecules loosely to the fuel and the meths and fuel will burn off passing the water out the exhaust..... I've only ever done it on bikes myself and it did work well, the engine will run a little rough though....

 

[NickJ]

:mrgreen: Got it going, I think I had tightened the mixture screws too much :roll: when I replaced them with the new ones in the rebuild kit, slackened them off and bingo, just need to warm it up and set properly now.
Thanks everyone for your help and advice, this is why I love this forum :lol: