RE: Not Starting Problem

[Nick McCormack <n.mccormack@domain.elided>]

Mike et al

Thanks for your suggestions. I shall check them out this weekend.
As an appendum not my not starting problems...

I took the car out last night (first time since occurrence of original
problem) before I had checked things out.

After a trip across town it again failed to start. Checked out the
electrical connections & all seemed fine. I retired to a local hostelry
(OJ consumed!) & upon return started first time. However on the journey
home the cars electric's started failing i.e. indicators not working,
stereo going on/off etc & then came to an inglorious halt a mile from my
home. I abandoned the car in disgust. It failed to start this morning at
all so had it towed home.

Now, my first point to check is the started motor followed by the other
suggestions. 
Shame as England is having it's few sunny days at the mo. 

I shall keep you posted

Regards

Nick

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Wattam [mailto:MikeWattam@domain.elided]
Sent: 14 June 1999 23:38
To: Nick McCormack
Cc: TSR Mailing List
Subject: Not Starting Problem


Hi Nick

You got the 20 minute rule, a popular complaint!  You were very lucky to
get the repair man to turn up so soon.

Various theories have been expounded on this one, some of them must be
good.

For my money the problem is pressurisation of the fuel system under
heat,
causing fuel to dribble out of the jets and down into the manifold. 
The fuel lays in the bottom of the manifold until you try to start,
bingo
too rich/fouled plugs!  Wait 20 minutes for the fuel to evaporate, and
it
starts fine.

 I have seen only 2 of the many cars which have this problem, and a
characteristic with both was that if you remove the carburrettor adptor
block while this phenomonen is about, there is a puddle of petrol in the
bottom of the inlet manifold.

In one case, the float needles were very worn and with the worn
(widened)
seats possibly not seating properly.  Thus fuel under pressure was able
to
pass through.  In the other case, the Stag had an electronic fuel pump
fitted.  Fitting the correct SU pump stopped the problem.  Note the MGB
SU
pump looks identical but is set to operate at a higher pressure with the
SU
carburettors, so should not be fitted to the Stag - I suspect there are
Stags running about with the MGB pump on.

Both the above cars had their float chamber vents malfunctioning.  One
was
blocked by debris, the other had been blanked off at the carburettor by
DPO!  Worth checking this drain pipe is clear, first.

Those of you who are actually experiencing this problem - or have cured
it
- I would be very grateful to receive your informed comments please. 

IMHO - Mike Wattam
Chairman - Triumph Stag Register