Engine will not start

[Devon81]

Hi to cut a long story short, my Devon has been off the road for nearly 2yrs, due to loss of job and finances. I need her running because she is going in for a fair bit of welding (got a bit too much for me ). I purchased a new battery, put 10litres of fuel in her' thought I would just try her, the engine turns over very slowly then you can hear a clicking noise and it will not turn over again, I have then put it in gear and rocked her about and she starts to turn over slowly again and then stops. The battery earth lead feels quite hot. Any suggestions would be great, she ran very well before, I now i should have just kept her fuelled and let her run a couple of times a week.

Ian

[Smcknighty]

What engine is it?

[Devon81]

Hi Its a 2.0lt cu with twin solex

[kevtherev]

the electrical connections are very poor
clean them up from the battery to the starter.
including the batt earth point

don't just look at them and decide it's ok...clean it
A nice fresh fully charged battery will help too

[sarran1955]

Hello,

WHS ^^^

You could also try running a Jump cable from -ve on your starter battery to a known good earth on the engine..

If there is a considerable improvement..

Then you will need to sort your earth return strap form gearbox to chassis..

Hope this helps..

Cordialement..

[Devon81]

Many thanks for the advice I will go over and clean all the earth leads and straps.

Regards Ian

[kevtherev]

Many thanks for the advice I will go over and clean all the earth leads and straps.

Regards Ian

and charge or replace the battery

[Devon81]

Hi thanks for the advice, I cleaned all the earths and replaced the battery earth strap, engine turns over perfect, couldn't get it to fire up, replaced fuel filter and poured a bit of patrol down both carbs, engine ran and then stalled, it doesn't appear to be pulling any patrol through.

Has anyone got any ideas please.

Many thanks

[kevtherev]

it will pull it through eventually.
keep trying

[Devon81]

Hi Kev

Had the engine turning over for ages it just doesnt seem to be pulling anything through, the engine hadnt been started for one and a half years, could the fuel pump be at fault.

Thank Ian

[Smcknighty]

Fuel filter might be clogged?

Be very careful - petrol is a one mistake fuel.. Diesel is much more home mechanic friendly...

[kevtherev]

Hi Kev

Had the engine turning over for ages it just doesnt seem to be pulling anything through, the engine hadnt been started for one and a half years, could the fuel pump be at fault.

Thank Ian

yes it could be
check the filter though as said
could also be that the float bowl has a load of crap in it

[Devon81]

Thanks Kev

I will check it out tomorrow

Thanks Ian

[Devon81]

Stripped both carbs to find the needle valves on top of the floats were stuck, cleaned them and she fired up straight away, purring like a kitten ( well sort of )

Many thanks Kev for the advice