Cold Start Question

[RickFury]

This is my first and only vehicle with a carburetor, and I would like to ask if something is "normal"...

My carbureted 1985 Mustang will start right up INSTANTLY, with one single pump in the morning, if driven daily. However, I now only drive it every Friday. I have noticed that, in order to start her back up from a week's rest, I have to pump the gas pedal twice, and then it takes about 10 seconds worth of constant cranking to get it to fire off. But once it starts, it then runs PERFECT. I tried 3 pumps once, and all that did was flood the motor.

It works every time...after a week, it likes 2 pumps and 10 seconds to start the engine.

This starting procedure is consistent every single week, and if I happen to drive it again the next day, it's back to a single pump and instant start.

Does that sound normal for a carbureted vehicle that has sit for a week?

[IDMooseMan]

Sounds like your carb may have an internal leak. Can you check your fuel bowl(s) for fuel before you start the car after she sits for a week? When you pump the pedal twice, can you verify you're getting two good squirts of fuel? I'm guessing "Yes" if three pumps is flooding the engine, but thought I'd ask anyway.

[bwguardian]

Sounds normal to me.

[IDMooseMan]

I guess my 4-cyl is in better shape than I thought. Doesn't matter how long I let her sit...two - three easy pedal pumps, turn the key, and she starts in less than five seconds.

[gr79]

My 2.3T has done the same since day one of ownership.
Disconnected the choke long ago.

The fuel pump has a return line to the fuel tank for several reasons.
After say a week, the pump has to re pressurize the supply line to the carb.
A clear inline fuel filter confirmed this. No fuel in filter. Pump is good.

The manual says this minimizes fuel pressure on the float seat when shut off.
Closing off the pump to return line allows the supply line to remain pressurized.

[HAD85B4]

My 2.3T has done the same since day one of ownership.
Disconnected the choke long ago.

The fuel pump has a return line to the fuel tank for several reasons.
After say a week, the pump has to re pressurize the supply line to the carb.
A clear inline fuel filter confirmed this. No fuel in filter. Pump is good.

The manual says this minimizes fuel pressure on the float seat when shut off.
Closing off the pump to return line allows the supply line to remain pressurized.

My 86 GT has to crank some before firing up on cold starts. I always figured it was some type of return line issue letting the gas back into the tank and depleting the supply line. What I do is cycle the key a few times to get the electric pump whirring a few times to prime the line. This cuts down the crank time. Can anything be done about this otherwise on an EFI car?

[Saturn V]

This is my first and only vehicle with a carburetor, and I would like to ask if something is "normal"...

My carbureted 1985 Mustang will start right up INSTANTLY, with one single pump in the morning, if driven daily. However, I now only drive it every Friday. I have noticed that, in order to start her back up from a week's rest, I have to pump the gas pedal twice, and then it takes about 10 seconds worth of constant cranking to get it to fire off. But once it starts, it then runs PERFECT. I tried 3 pumps once, and all that did was flood the motor.

It works every time...after a week, it likes 2 pumps and 10 seconds to start the engine.

This starting procedure is consistent every single week, and if I happen to drive it again the next day, it's back to a single pump and instant start.

Does that sound normal for a carbureted vehicle that has sit for a week?

My 84 5.0 4V acts the same after sitting for a week, or more. Try cranking 5-10 seconds first, release the key, then pump the accelerator pedal fully 2-3 times, wait a couple of seconds for the fuel to vaporize a little, then crank. This always works for me ... the engine fires and goes right to high idle with no stumble. Cranking first ensures there is enough fuel in the primary bowl before going any further. I can't believe that the bowl is completely evaporating in a week, but I definitely need to fill it a little with a few seconds of cranking before pumping and firing.

[Mgino757]

I haven't had this problem with mine. It can sit for weeks, I get in, press the pedal once, let it sit for a second or two after closing the throttle, and crank. Usually starts up within the first 5 seconds of cranking. Sometimes it'll stall, then I'll retry the start up procedure and it'll start up solid and go into warm up speed.

[PaceFever79]

This is my first and only vehicle with a carburetor, and I would like to ask if something is "normal"...

My carbureted 1985 Mustang will start right up INSTANTLY, with one single pump in the morning, if driven daily. However, I now only drive it every Friday. I have noticed that, in order to start her back up from a week's rest, I have to pump the gas pedal twice, and then it takes about 10 seconds worth of constant cranking to get it to fire off. But once it starts, it then runs PERFECT. I tried 3 pumps once, and all that did was flood the motor.

It works every time...after a week, it likes 2 pumps and 10 seconds to start the engine.

This starting procedure is consistent every single week, and if I happen to drive it again the next day, it's back to a single pump and instant start.

Does that sound normal for a carbureted vehicle that has sit for a week?

Although I'm not running a stock carb or pump, mine does this too....

On mine, it is the Edelbrock mechanical pump that needs cranking to prime.

Next time it's been sitting for a week, pop the air cleaner off and see if any
fuel squirts out the accelerator pump... I bet the carb is dry.

[jessew]

Normal. Mine does this too.

[twistedwankel]

[QUOTE=HAD85B4;1520284]My 86 GT has to crank some before firing up on cold starts. I always figured it was some type of return line issue letting the gas back into the tank and depleting the supply line. What I do is cycle the key a few times to get the electric pump whirring a few times to prime the line. This cuts down the crank time. Can anything be done about this otherwise on an EFI car?[/QUOTE

My stock 86FI GT simply turn on key hear fuel pump quietly run a couple seconds and it shuts off when fully pressurized. Then it starts very quickly. You don't want to mess with the manual idle screw on these cars without following the written procedure for doing so. I know all my settings are factory. Starts and runs perfectly like new.