S3 warm starting difficult

Speedy6111

Active Member

Posts

79

Location

Uk

• Mar 31, 2018

• #1

Hi all, new here and new to Land Rovers.
1980 S3 2.25 Petrol. Weber carb. Starts fine from cold on half choke. But after driving then leaving for 15 mins or so it takes two attempts to start. (No choke)

I’ve pulled plugs and cleaned - they seemed fine. Initially easy start perhaps suggests electricals are ok? So perhaps there is a fueling problem?

Any guidance much appreciated.

Thanks

 

J

John S

Well-Known Member

Posts

3,288

Location

Kinross

• Apr 1, 2018

• #2

Is it rough trying to start when warm? Unscrew the idle jet on the carb and blow it and clean with tissue. It’s the screw facing towards the engine about 1 cm with a flathead . Watch the o ring. Another tip is to floor the throttle pedal when starting warm. It by-passes the choke . Doubt it’ll the plugs but do no harm to clean.

 

C

clivees

Well-Known Member

Posts

2,070

Location

Somewhere in deepest darkest Hampshire

• Apr 1, 2018

• #3

Shouldn't need choke. Never used it on my webber even on winter mornings.
Like suggested reset mixture

 

Speedy6111

Active Member

Posts

79

Location

Uk

• Apr 1, 2018

• #4

clivees said:

Shouldn't need choke. Never used it on my webber even on winter mornings.
Like suggested reset mixture

Click to expand...

Thanks both.
@John S - it takes a good 5 or 6 seconds on the key - twice - to start from warm. Once going it’s fine, not rough. I’ll try the carb idle jet clean as you suggest. Also the foot to the floor on the gas!

@clivees - yes I didn’t need much choke from first start even in the recent very cold weather- which surprised me.

I did see another thread that mentioned possible vapour lock and fuel line routing. Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

J

John S

Well-Known Member

Posts

3,288

Location

Kinross

• Apr 1, 2018

• #5

Could be fuel supply as suggested. Check fuel into carb.

 

Speedy6111

Active Member

Posts

79

Location

Uk

• Apr 1, 2018

• #6

Thanks. I’ve cleaned the pilot idle jet. Also moved the fuel line which was across one end of the block.
Fuel filter looks ok.
I’ll try for the next few days and see how it goes. If it doesn’t start I’ll do foot to the floor. There also seems to be a manual pump lever for fuel down near the bulkhead. I can try that and if it works it helps with the diagnosis of fuel supply rather than electrical.
Happy Easter.