Home Forums Technical Questions Hard time starting after engine is warm

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  • Volksman
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    Post count: 60

    i got my engine rebuilt locally last week and it’s running great. I am however,having an issue that’s making me crazy. I can start the car without any problems when the engine is cold. After it has warmed up if I shut it off it has a really hard time starting back up. I can usually keep pumping the gas pedal and cranking the starter and it will usually start after a while. I’ve dealt with vapor luck in the past and it feels like that again. I’ve been told it’s the ethanol in the gas but there has to be a way to fix the problem. I’m running a totally stock  1200. It has new points, plus, wires, coil, cap, rotor and the carb that Tim rebuilt for me. The guy who did my engine dialed in the timing and valves.

    I wondered if the metal fuel line from the pump going through the firewall was the issue, or maybe the pump itself (it is also new). No idea what’s going on but I really want this fixed so I can drive my car.

    I look forward to your input guys

    John Jones
    Moderator
    Post count: 13384

    Maybe the carb is letting fuel bubble over into the intake and flooding it??  float level?  needle and seat??

    I bet if you just put the pedal to the floor and crank it it will start…. when hot..

    Proud and Stubborn 👍🏻

    Scott Sain
    Participant
    Post count: 392

    The choke?

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    Scott Sain
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    Post count: 392

    And I definitely would not run gas with ethanol.

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    volksaddict
    Participant
    Post count: 968

    What John said. Check fuel pump pressure on that cheap Chinese fuel pump. Try an old original needle and seat instead of that Chinese one that came in the rebuild kit. If it’s hot inside the engine compartment check for vapor lock.

    And quit running that corn oil ethanol fuel.

    Volksman
    Participant
    Post count: 60

    When  Tim at  Volksbiz rebuilt the carb he used a good German kit so I think it should be OK. The fuel pump is a cheap replacement so I’ll look for a good German one.

    Unfortunately most gas stations have that treated gas here in Utah so it’s a pain. I’ll be sure to find a stration that offers fuel without that Crap in it.

    Thanks for the feedback everone

    Kleake
    Participant
    Post count: 780

    Maverick, has none ethanol gas. Look for the blue handle

    Franz
    Participant
    Post count: 5403

    Sounds like vapor lock. Take the metal line out and run a rubber hose from the pump to the pan. See what happens.

    Volksman
    Participant
    Post count: 60

    I have been messing with this problem for the last week or so trying various things to fix the issue. So far no luck. I have moved the fuel lines away from any direct heat source. I believe it may be exactly what John described with the fuel bubbling over into the intake. I started the car, drove down the street and parked. It was probably two minutes total. Enough that it was warm but not super hot. I left the car sitting for 45 minutes or so and then tried to start it up again and it was the same thing, starter turning but no firing. I can faintly smell gas so I believe it is flooding. I got it to go after a little while and a lot of angry words. I tried adjusting the choke a little bit but that didn’t seem to help. Is it the needle and float that control that gas drip into the manifold? Or could it be the choke as Scott suggested? What would you guys recommend as far as adjusting the choke or the needle / seat and float?

    I am leaning away from the vapor lock idea because I don’t think it is getting hot enough to do that. The air has been warm in the evening here but not scorching. I also have all the proper tin and a new engine seal. I will still avoid the ethanol treated gas and get clean fuel in the future.

    I am super frustrated because I want to drive this car and not worry about having it be difficult to start up.

    John Jones
    Moderator
    Post count: 13384

    If it’s flooding.. ..  Holding the pedal to the floor will usually start it, with some cranking still…  Because there is too much fuel… you have to open up and let all the air in you can to try and lean it back out enough to fire!!!!       Go drive it… stop and kill it, and pull the air cleaner off and look down the throat of the carb and see if it is dribbling gas down there…

    Proud and Stubborn 👍🏻

    RobK
    Participant
    Post count: 58

    Crikey …..

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