Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all, just wondering if anyone has an idea why my 1982, 2.0 CU twin dellorto engine has problems starting after it's been driven 10 -20+ miles? In other words when the engine is hot it doesn't like to start.

I'll park up for 5 mins while I pop into a shop etc and when I get back in and turn the key it takes around 4-5 turns of the key before the bus finally fires up.

I've fitted a new starter motor, checked all the earth straps etc. The bus starts first time in the morning - no problems at all.

I'm just worried that I may end up in the situation where I end up draining the battery by continuously turning the key.

I've got twin Webers on my Fiat Spider and they tend to suffer from heatsink (heat causing the fuel to evaporate in the carbs) which can cause these symptoms. Some manufacturers installed a little cooling fan to assist with this problem (I used to have one on my X1/9). Of course, it could be something else altogether! Might be an idea to start with the basics first to rule out things like leads, dizzy, coil etc

Ahh the X19 carb cooling fan. Powerful enough to drain your battery before it finished cooling the carbs.

On a CU engined van with Solex's there's a thick gasket between the carb and the inlet manifold which I guess helps stops the fuel vaporising. Have the Dell's got a similar gasket?

Try pumping the throttle pedal a couple of times before turning the key if the Dell's have got an injector pump like the Solex's? The extra squirt of petrol might make up for what's evaporated.