Engine Not Firing

[dooooogle]

Hi, have a little problem that I just want to share more than anything as its becoming annoying. Van has now gone 24 days without starting. (this may not be electrical so sorry if in wrong thread)

The engine will rotate on the starter motor but it will not fire. (Fuel is going into the carb). Checked spark plugs on the engine and a spark does appear, but its more golden then blue in my opinion. Gap slightly over the 1mm recommended (1.1 - 1.2mm)

Once in 20 rotations the engine sounds like it wants to splutter for an instance, but nothing comes of it.

New battery
Rotor arm and dizzy cap have been cleaned. Slightly pitted
Plugs are slightly blackened but not pitted
Earth cleaned between engine and chassis

Any thoughts?

Van was working fine up to Christmas, then left it for 3 days and it has not started since

[davethebus]

I've had a very similar problem and narrowed it down to the auto chokes or thermo springs as today I managed to start it by loosening the choke unit and turning it until the flaps were slightly open. It ran a treat and made me happy again.

[itchyfeet]

How do you know you have fuel supply?
Are tge plugs wet with fuel when you remove them? They would be if you have good fuel supply after turning over
Take the plastic trunking off the carb and check you can see a squirt of fuel when you operate the accelerator

So if you are then sure its not fuel then start on ignition
Plugs out and connect leads leave then resting on engine and crank you should see good sparks on all

[dooooogle]

GOT THE VAN GOING

I had taken the plastic cover / air supply off the carb to check I had fuel going in. Nice squirts when rotating throttle control. I had also taken plugs off and testing in the dark (resting on the engine body method) to check for sparks - the spark was more golden than blue. Van would not fire up. Inspection of plugs showed them to be wet and smelling of fuel.

Anyway. Have put new spark plugs in, and a new distributor rotating arm, squirted a lot of fuel in and it slowly came to life. Also inspected the dizzy cap and noticed that the central carbon rod was stuck in the casing and not proud - may have been this, but van is now working so very happy.

Cheers all

[itchyfeet]

Well done