Cold start issue

[Lodgebaker]

Hello Paul here. Relatively new owner of reconditioned S1 4.2. My issue is starting after 4/5 weeks. I don’t think choke is engaging properly as I try and try and she eventually fires up after numerous turns. It has electric start.

My question is where on the carbs is the interconnection such that perhaps I can manually pull it fully out? I am not sufficiently able to get under dash and things like that but I could lever it open or check if it is working?

I think I need to get it to the garage but is there something I can do simply first.

Runs fine once started. No such trouble in summer.

Hope you can help - thanks.

[mgcjag]

Hi....full details and diagrams in the Carb section of the service manual.....look at your carbs there are rods connecting all 3...the top ones are for the throttle..underneath is anorter set connectin all 3 and operate the choke lever....you should see the operating cable comming through the bulkhead inline with the rods and connecting to them..Steve

[Lodgebaker]

Thanks Steve.

[chrisfell]

Mine cranks over for several seconds if I’ve left it for a few weeks. If I start it within a week, it fires up almost straight away. Nothing wrong with the choke on my car, it gives a very rich mixture and needs backing off almost immediately. But it doesn’t like being woken from a deep sleep.

[Xk38]

Hi there i too had this problem recently and found the choke cabling fouling the middle mixture lever .
Rebent the cable away out of trouble and the choke lever finally moved up higher and it started first time.

Good luck

[malcolm]

I found mine needs a firm pull on the last section of the operating lever - doesn't come on quite fully otherwise.
Nonetheless, although it starts immediately when in regular use, it takes a lot of cranking when it's been left for a few weeks or more. I think this is fairly common. Just make sure you've got a good battery!

[Bill Michigan]

Check the thread "Stuck Choke (Enrichment) Mechanism." It may be of help.

Also, unless all the enrichment jets are frozen, you can lift the external enrichment lever on one carb (with a wire or bent rod) while someone cranks the engine and it should start. In addition to starting it when nothing else works, this is also a way to confirm that the hard starting is due to a enrichment problem.

(Note: These comments pertain to 3.8L. I assume the enrichment set-up on the 4.2L is the same, but I'm not sure.)

Bill

[Granthar]

Mine cranks over for several seconds if I’ve left it for a few weeks. If I start it within a week, it fires up almost straight away. Nothing wrong with the choke on my car, it gives a very rich mixture and needs backing off almost immediately. But it doesn’t like being woken from a deep sleep.

Hi there, this sounds exactly like my 1965 OTS. If left for a week or more it takes 30 secs or more to start (I leave time for the fuel pump to fill the float chambers). Less than a week starts no problem. My carbureted Ducati 900 Monster is the same. Feels as if the cranking is needed to fill the inlet manifold with new fuel vapour.

Did you finally sort the problem?

[christopher storey]

Granthar : your analysis is quite correct. The inlet tract on E types is particularly long , and of quite large daimeter, and requires filling before the engine wil fire up

[cactusman]

Mine is the same....but my engine is out being rebuilt so maybe it will be better when all is renewed!