Reluctant starter when cold - help please

[clifford coates]

I have a 1987 1.9 78bhp water cooled auto. When attempting to start will turn over OK but will only start after about half a dozen goes or more and then only if accelarator held down to keep it at, say, 1-2000 rpm else engine will die. After a couple of minutes will settle to 900 rpm without accelarator. After the van has been on the road for 10 minutes or so she will then start first time for rest of day. But then same problem next day. This is happening now (so not due to cold weather).

Recently serviced with new starter motor and switch, new in line filter, new cone filter for carb (Pierburg), new dizzy cap, new rotor arm, new ignition leads, new battery, oil and filter change.

I have cheked forums and Wiki but can only see stuff about not starting at all rather than reluctant start and then starts OK.

Could it be a blokage that gets cleared once started? But why does the engine not go to 900 rpm once started until warmed up?

Grateful for any ideas. Many thanks.

[jamesc76]

cold start in carb sounds like it needs adjusting

[Ian Hulley]

Have you been 'setting' the automatic choke ? Press pedal to floor BEFORE starting and release gently ?

Ian

[clifford coates]

Yes, have been pressing acc before starting. Have also checked that carb flap is closing.

[Evsi]

Have you checked plugs, leads, distributer cap, rotor arm etc? Does sound like lack of fuel though. Check to see if the choke flap is closing when it's cold before you start it.

[kevtherev]

The fast idle cam is faulty.
the springs that operate it or the mechanism is faulty..

[clifford coates]

Many thanks kevtherev