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Author: Subject: Starting Issues When Hot
Daddylonglegs

posted on 9/8/12 at 09:11 PM Reply With Quote
Starting Issues When Hot

Now I've got the car on the road, and it's getting up to full operating temperature for a while, I seem to have developed an intermittent starting problem. I have a new battery, the alternator seems to be charging OK last time I checked it, but several times now, when the car has stopped after a longish run, and then I try to start it a few minutes later, it's almost as if the battery is nearly dead. The engine turns really slowly for a few seconds then almost stops. The first time it did it, I assumed it was the fact that the fan was still running so drawing current, but it shouldn't make that much difference.

Anyhow, it has done it several times since then and the fan was not running. The engine is running at around 90 deg or so according to the guage, and it runs fine once started.

I came back from a longish run tonight, and checked the alternator belt and it seemed maybe it was a little loose but not overly. I then tried to start the car again and it fired up straight away. Turned it off, and started again no problems???

I did notice that occasionally the charge light would stay on until I revved the engine a little then it went out and stayed out.

Sorry for the long thread guys, but after so long getting on the road, I'm worried now that if I drive out somewhere it may not start again

Any help or advice is gratefully received.

John





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austin man

posted on 9/8/12 at 09:20 PM Reply With Quote
what engine is fitted it could be something as the timing being out, check your earth straps etc





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Daddylonglegs

posted on 9/8/12 at 09:25 PM Reply With Quote
It's an old 2L Pinto running basic electronic with amplifier.

Funny you should mention the timing, when I had the IVA the other week, it kept running on after switching off and would take ages to fire up. So when I got home I adjusted the timing to try and help. I must admit, being of the 'old school' I didn't use a strobe, just my ear and it seemed to improve it quite a lot. But it does seem that it is since then it is a bit reluctant to start sometimes.

Anyone reccommend the timing I should use with a leaded head running on unleaded fuel?

(I know the issues of hot valves when running unleaded in a leaded engine but the mileage we do it would take several years to really cause any issues I think)

Thanks.


[Edited on 9/8/12 by Daddylonglegs]





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adithorp

posted on 9/8/12 at 09:30 PM Reply With Quote
Yep, I'd agree with that ^^^ check your main earth.





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austin man

posted on 9/8/12 at 09:32 PM Reply With Quote
I use the old lamp bulb method number 1 tdc bulb onto the points and rotate the dizzy so points just begin to open bulb lights up. lock dizzy job done





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Chippy

posted on 9/8/12 at 09:34 PM Reply With Quote
The usual problem when the engine wont turn over quickly is a duff earth, especially if you have been out for a run so the battery should be well up. Check the earth connections battery to engine, might even be a bit of paint under the earth tag. HTH Ray





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Daddylonglegs

posted on 9/8/12 at 09:42 PM Reply With Quote
I'll check the earths again tommorrow, but I did check them a few weeks back when I had a similar issue but all the time. Maybe there is something more going on here then?

I'll also have a look at the timing once I've got some info on the correct setting I need.

Starting to wonder though if there is a deeper issue with the starting system?





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austin man

posted on 9/8/12 at 10:46 PM Reply With Quote
put money on the timing especially as you mention that it started after you changed the timing, you could alway get the engine running turn the dizz until it revs then starts to drop off, then back of slightly. Mark the dizzy and block eack time you adjust if the problem gets worse advance slightly





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Dusty

posted on 9/8/12 at 11:01 PM Reply With Quote
When hot the mixture burns faster so needs less advance at idle and starting. Sounds like timing is a little over-advanced. Use a strobe to get it to 12 degrees advance at idle. May need to tweek it a degree or so from there , forward or back.
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ashg

posted on 9/8/12 at 11:52 PM Reply With Quote
Sounds to me like its way to advanced meaning it's pushing back against the starter. It will get worse on a hot engine because you will have better compression/combustion due to the heat.

[Edited on 9/8/2012 by ashg]





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britishtrident

posted on 10/8/12 at 07:10 AM Reply With Quote
As posted by others the ignition advance at the very low end of the RPM range is wrong, with distributer ignition the quick fix is simply to retard the static ignition timing by about 4 degrees.

If you have contact points ignition before doing so check the points gap is not set to wide for the type of distributer fitted (Ford Pinto with a Bosch distributor (Brown cap) the gap should be 0.015" with a Ford distributer (black cap) the gap should be 0.023" to 0.027"

A longer term fix for the problem is to do so surgery on the distributor internals to give more centrifugal advance,





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Daddylonglegs

posted on 10/8/12 at 08:45 AM Reply With Quote
OK, thanks a lot guys.

Certainly seems like the timing is the way to go. I will have a look today and start from 8deg and see what happens. I always get confused with advancing and retarding the distributor, I can never remeber which way to turn it to advance/retard

[Edited on 10/8/12 by Daddylonglegs]





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mcerd1

posted on 10/8/12 at 10:22 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Daddylonglegs
I always get confused with advancing and retarding the distributor, I can never remeber which way to turn it to advance/retard

I could never remember when I was sorting mine either (mk1 fiesta that I had to keep playing with to make it run on LRP), but 10 seconds with the strobe gun and you'll have it sorted





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jossey

posted on 10/8/12 at 01:22 PM Reply With Quote
I thought this thread was going to be about people brig able to get up due to the warm weather like me this morning.

Lol

Sorry I can't help.





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Daddylonglegs

posted on 15/8/12 at 09:13 PM Reply With Quote
Well, recon starter turned up today. Fitted into the car, turned the key and........Vrrrroooom!!

Started really easily, and every time after that. Let it run a while to get it warm and tried again, fine. Ran it until it got right up to temperature and then let it stand for a few minutes, fine. The only test left is a good 15-20 min run then leave her to stand for 5-10 mins to see if she still starts OK. If it wasn't for the fact that it's constantly bl**dy raining then I could try

To be honset though, it is spinning up really fast compared to the old motor so I'm sure it's OK.

Not sure if I mentioned it before, but there was about 1-2mm of play at the sprocket end of the motor shaft on the old one which can't be a good thing so pretty sure it was foobarred.

Anyhow, I'm feeling positive so we'll see.......





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