Club 80-90 Forums

Hi guys,

any advice here.

Van is a right pig to start in this cold and wet weather. I looked at the HT leads this morning and there was water on it. Not from the coolant. Its all over the engine bay. Once the van warms up runs fine, but first 10 mins in morning is a nightmare. Backfires and splutters.. Any ideas? Does anyone else get this?

Are you doing the cold start procedure? starting on LPG or Petrol?

The condensation is just from the current warm(er) wet air coming in contact with the much colder bit of van. Happens anytime we get very cold weather changing quickly to warmer. Had an ancient fiesta many many years ago that suffered with this, liberal wd40 (which is a water dispersant) over the engine bay helped but clearer minds may give more precise advice.

Stesaw wrote: ↑22 Dec 2022, 10:48 Are you doing the cold start procedure? starting on LPG or Petrol?

Starting on LPG, Petrol side not working at the moment for some reason...which I need to check, think it might be a blocked filter

I have similar problems & always assumed it was condensation in the distributor cap. Mine usually starts but does not run on all 4 cylinders until it has been running for a few minutes. Never have the problem once it is warm or during summer months. I seem to remember other threads about this & thought that it is a common problem.

The choke could also not be opening enough which will cause rough running from cold.

personally id sort the petrol filter out or whatever is causing the issue and try start it on petrol and see how it runs then.

Stesaw wrote: ↑23 Dec 2022, 08:16 The choke could also not be opening enough which will cause rough running from cold.

personally id sort the petrol filter out or whatever is causing the issue and try start it on petrol and see how it runs then.

good call

Jeff J wrote: ↑23 Dec 2022, 05:11 I have similar problems & always assumed it was condensation in the distributor cap. Mine usually starts but does not run on all 4 cylinders until it has been running for a few minutes. Never have the problem once it is warm or during summer months. I seem to remember other threads about this & thought that it is a common problem.

bought new rotor arm and distrubutor this morn, started on the button..

I was just about to say dizzy and HT leads.
Glad you are sorted!