Hi
After much thought ive decided to keep my mk.
So armed with tea and tools spent the day in the garage finishing it off. One slight problem - it wont start. started it up last week and although a bit rough it ran fine. tried to day and its just turning over not firing. Checked for a spark and fuel, both fine.
Its a pinto with twin 45's. I dont know even where to start with the carbs so maybe them?
any suggestions anyone? Or does anyone live near ng2 in nottingham that could have a look at it - would pay for any time spent.

Thanks Matt

Do the bores smell of petrol? Not sure if you just checked for fuel in the petrol tank or checked for fuel in the bores. Fuel pump? Electric or mech? Fuel filters in place?

Could try taking the air filter off a squirting some fuel straight in or I think choke cleaner does the same but don't hold me to that!! You haven't had the hvt leads off and put them back on in the wrong order have you!!

Cheers

R

[Edited on 23/8/08 by RichardK]

[Edited on 23/8/08 by RichardK]

First step is always to put the battery on charge and try again the next day..

Paul

I wasted half a day trying to start my Pinto which was running on 40's, I then discovered that I had the timing 180 degrees out.

(I only checked I had a spark, not when I had it)

It sounds daft, but it's worth a double check, I felt a prize one, when I finally noticed it

Cheers,

B

If it won't start at all it is nearly always something simple, like the timing as has been said, or the fuel. As long as the engine is mechanically intact, and the fuel and spark come together at the right time and place, it will start. So if it doesn't, look for the simple things first

John

the leads are on right way, the fuel pump is working fine and fuel is definatly getting through. not sure about timing as its been fine b4. Just last week a little rough and then nothing today.
Ive not touched the carbs as i wouldnt even know where to start with them.

When you take the plugs out, are they wet with petrol? Or very black and sooty? If so, this may indicate over-fuelling. If they are wet, you could try taken all the plugs out and spinning the engine over - be prepared for petrol everywhere! (disconnect the coil before doing this). Again, if they're wet, try playing a blowtorch on them until they are dry - they're used to flames - then try starting the engine.

Is the battery fully charged and fit for purpose? Is it spinning the engine over vigorously? If the engine's a bit out of sorts then a lazy starter may not get it going.

Is the choke mechanism working properly? A stone-cold engine that's been sitting around may not start without it. Alternatively, is the choke stuck on?

There's a decent Haynes manual for Weber carbs - might be worth getting hold of a copy (library?).

took the plugs out and yes they are soaking wet. Also ive just took the filters off and noticed they are also wet with petrol. there is no choke - beleive previous owner disconnected, but it had been running fine over past few months. dried the plugs and tried again but no go.

Fit some decent new plugs, NGK are good . Do not keep pumping the accelerator all you are doing is flooding the engine. Check that the carbs are not flooding , you may see fuel dripping if they are .A squirt of brake cleaner down the carbs may help to get it firing, pouring fuel through carbs is probably making things worse?
If engine starts get it hot to clear out any unburnt fuel before turning it off Repeated cold starts without getting the engine hot is bad practice

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Originally posted by Flick
took the plugs out and yes they are soaking wet. Also ive just took the filters off and noticed they are also wet with petrol. there is no choke - beleive previous owner disconnected, but it had been running fine over past few months. dried the plugs and tried again but no go.

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