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Re: Van hard to start and poor idle when engine cold. Choke?

Posted: 04 Jun 2014, 19:08
by jswagger
Thanks, I'll have a look.

Off for a few days so will give me something to do when I get back.

Re: Van hard to start and poor idle when engine cold. Choke?

Posted: 10 Jun 2014, 20:22
by jswagger
kevtherev wrote:interesting thread here for you to peruse

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=116284" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hi,

Had a look at the thread, did you suggest it for ideas on what to check now, or for the picture of the fast idle cam (or both)?

Thanks either way

Re: Van hard to start and poor idle when engine cold. Choke?

Posted: 10 Jun 2014, 21:06
by kevtherev
just to take a look and maybe see stuff you can recognise.

Re: Van hard to start and poor idle when engine cold. Choke?

Posted: 11 Jun 2014, 16:52
by jswagger
Out of interest, on that thread, one of the items was,

2. Choke pulldown unit - pulled end off carb with top pancake off. Sucked and it moved choke flap, put tongue over end and it held the flap, released tongue and it released flap.

When I try this one mine, the choke doesn't move, is this a problem?

Thanks

Re: Van hard to start and poor idle when engine cold. Choke?

Posted: 11 Jun 2014, 17:08
by kevtherev
jswagger wrote:Out of interest, on that thread, one of the items was,

2. Choke pulldown unit - pulled end off carb with top pancake off. Sucked and it moved choke flap, put tongue over end and it held the flap, released tongue and it released flap.

When I try this one mine, the choke doesn't move, is this a problem?

Thanks

yes, that's where the air can get in and upset your mixture. It also will over fuel under acceleration when the choke is on (6-8 mins)
It's a common issue on old pulldown units

Re: Van hard to start and poor idle when engine cold. Choke?

Posted: 11 Jun 2014, 17:39
by jswagger
My pull unit is new though, or does it mean it's faulty too?

Re: Van hard to start and poor idle when engine cold. Choke?

Posted: 11 Jun 2014, 18:18
by kevtherev
jswagger wrote:My pull unit is new though, or does it mean it's faulty too?
you have to suck quite hard and sustained.

Re: Van hard to start and poor idle when engine cold. Choke?

Posted: 11 Jun 2014, 20:35
by jswagger
I've tried sucking on the hose from the pulldown unit very hard for a while, and nothing happens.

Does this mean there is a problem, or is it more important what happens when the accelerator is pressed before starting?

Re: Van hard to start and poor idle when engine cold. Choke?

Posted: 11 Jun 2014, 21:38
by kevtherev
jswagger wrote:I've tried sucking on the hose from the pulldown unit very hard for a while, and nothing happens.

Does this mean there is a problem, or is it more important what happens when the accelerator is pressed before starting?

that's not right then, the flap should open when a vacuum is present.
Pressing the acc before starting sets the fast idle cam, the choke flap is on a bi metal spring and will close as ambient temp requires
pressing the acc pedal when the engine is started should see the flap opening and closing smoothly with increased and decreased revs.

As the flap opens fully the pull down is redundant
The pull down is only really needed for very cold weather

Re: Van hard to start and poor idle when engine cold. Choke?

Posted: 12 Jun 2014, 13:13
by jswagger
kevtherev wrote:
jswagger wrote:I've tried sucking on the hose from the pulldown unit very hard for a while, and nothing happens.

Does this mean there is a problem, or is it more important what happens when the accelerator is pressed before starting?

that's not right then, the flap should open when a vacuum is present.
Pressing the acc before starting sets the fast idle cam, the choke flap is on a bi metal spring and will close as ambient temp requires
pressing the acc pedal when the engine is started should see the flap opening and closing smoothly with increased and decreased revs.

As the flap opens fully the pull down is redundant
The pull down is only really needed for very cold weather


On a day like today would the choke be needed much/at all? If so, then would my issue lie elsewhere than the choke?

Re: Van hard to start and poor idle when engine cold. Choke?

Posted: 12 Jun 2014, 14:10
by kevtherev
... may be half or even a quarter briefly, to start.
Mainly because the engine is way off working temp.
You can adjust the choke by the way.

Did you check your choke flap gap as in the haynes?

Re: Van hard to start and poor idle when engine cold. Choke?

Posted: 12 Jun 2014, 14:54
by jswagger
I did check the choke flap. and all was ok.

However, can I make the choke stick on temporarily, just so the van can be moved around?

Re: Van hard to start and poor idle when engine cold. Choke?

Posted: 12 Jun 2014, 20:41
by kevtherev
jswagger wrote:I did check the choke flap. and all was ok.

However, can I make the choke stick on temporarily, just so the van can be moved around?

yes.
If you look at the autochoke housing it has three screws, these can be loosened and the housing rotated clockwise to keep the choke on longer and fuller.
you can see it here on the right

Image

and here you can see the range of movement

Image

Re: Van hard to start and poor idle when engine cold. Choke?

Posted: 13 Jun 2014, 19:57
by jswagger
Thanks for that.

Tried adjusting the choke, in a variety of settings, and made no difference. So this would point to the issue being elsewhere than the choke?

Could the old petrol that was in the system have blocked a jet and would something like that cause these issues?

Time to take the carb off perhaps?

Re: Van hard to start and poor idle when engine cold. Choke?

Posted: 14 Jun 2014, 07:11
by kevtherev
I think we can discount the choke
But the pull down isn't right