starting/choke

[bmx greg]

How I start my rascal and it has first time every time for the 4 years ive had it!
1) let pump fill
2) hold down clutch
3) pull out choke
4) start engine
5) count to 5
6) let off clutch
7) wait till revs go up
push choke in half way
9) drive off
10) choke in when temp indicator reaches white bar
 It might seem long winded but the important aspects.are unloading the engine from the heavy box and waiting for the revs to rise before pushing choke in.
My rascal runs better for it and its interesting that the revs rise 1-2 minutes after engine starts.
                                                             bmx greg

[>>CHOP<<]

it runs better when warmed up..as the engine warms up it opens a vaccume valve that releases the choke partialliy...its at this moment i relese the choke and its allways been ok...

[jackfx]

I crank the engine off-choke till the oil pressure light goes out, then hit the choke to start it. A tech told me the engine, being underfloor and on it's side takes a while for the oil to get to the furthest areas, especially if it's been standing a while..otherwise it's metal on metal and max wear especially in the cam bearings.
Possibly a myth, but kinda makes sense..

[aussi suzi]

We use stuff called molly oil additive,when the engine is stopped this additive sticks to all metal parts hence it stays up the top on all movable parts,so when the engine starts there is lubrication already there until the oil pump starts pumping.when you use this stuff your engine runs quiter and revs at idle slightly more due to less friction...ken

[jenxy]

The way I start mine in the damp..
Wait for pump to slow down.
Pull out choke,
Turn key and keep it turned until engine fires up properly... this can be twenty or thirty seconds minimum
Let go of key and try to rev
Van stalls
Begin aforesaid process again.... and again... and again
Normally get away with half a dozen times or so, then it fires up.
Wait a few mins for engine to warm up a little.
Drive off with fingers crossed, mobile to hand and length of tow rope in back
 

[Richard]

Jen, I may be wrong............but that dont sound quite right to me!!
Mine stands for weeks on end, I jump in, full choke and it starts first time.

[Dell Boy]

Hello Jen. When your winding it over is it shuddering, popping & banging, coughing & spluttering?
The worst treatment you can give a battery is to keep turning the engine over with it. It shortens there life considerably.
Right, starting from cold. Jump in van, put key in ignition. Pull choke out fully & hold it full out. A clothes peg comes in handy here. Push down on clutch. Turn key once & engine roars into life. If it doesn`t there is something wrong/blocked/maladjusted/disconnected/defective/broken.
Sometimes two presses on the throttle pedal helps by squirting neat fuel in the engine when you turn the ignition on but before cranking it over. After three turns the engine will be flooded, push choke in, foot to the floor on the throttle, when [if] it fires pull the choke out to keep it going.
 Add WYNNS or similar to ensure the engine is permanently lubricated. Derek.

[jenxy]

I have tried it the way you say, but yes, when it first fires, it immediately shudders like someone is rocking it and stalls, even if I am trying to rev.
So, I agree, something is definately wrong, but I cannot begin to think what.
jj put some new points in. I am gonna get new sparks, leads etc when I recover from the shock of paying for a new exhaust.
I have looked in the manual... but cannot find a specific cause. If you saw the white grey smoke that comes out of the exhaust when I start it you would be shocked. I get some real evil looks from my neighbours if the wind takes it in their direction.

[Dell Boy]

Hello Jen, From your description I am 99% sure the head gasket is leaking. Don`t buy any electrical bits or spend any money on it. Can you manage a trip to Dartford for a day?  I will do it while you wait. Cost would be about £120.00 & she`ll be running as she should. But, in future, you must service it every 6 months & keep the anti-freeze/ water correct & don`t keep driving it when something is wrong. It cost you an exhaust you didn`t need. Derek.

[jenxy]

Hi Derek... If it is the gasket, I would really not want to drive all that way in case something awful happened, and although it looks like I will have to stump up for a fix shortly, I really am not in a position to do it for quite some time.... am waiting for the gas bill to come crashing through the letter box any minute now.
I only drive short distances, a couple of miles and back to the shops at the moment... I don't like going too far from home till I get everything tickety boo with the van, but Thanks for your offer of doing it while I wait. If things were different I would take you up on that.

[Dell Boy]

O.k. Jen, When you park up for the night take off the radiator cap. It will be very hot so take great care. Release it a little bit at a time to release the pressure. Start the van in the morning without the cap on. What this does is reduce the water pressure therefore slowing down the amount of water seeping into the cylinders. If the gasket has gone water will gush out of the radiator for a short while. Top up the water & put the cap on loosely,just enough to stop it falling off. Keep topping the WATER up. This should ease the symptoms IF the head gasket has failed. Derek.

[J J 007]

hi jenxy still working 7 days a week at the moment going to take a day off in the next week or 2 will give you a ring and come over if thats o.k

[jenxy]

jj That would be lovely.... but I know you have been working 7 days a week since just before christmas, so if you do get a day off you should enjoy it and chill out doing something for yourself.
I would feel very guilty if you get time out from work, then spend it doing stuff to my van

[J J 007]

not a problem jenxy