Trouble starting (B200K)

Post by **360GL** » 26 Sep 2004 11:17 pm

Hello,

When I start my car in the morning, it starts right up and then almost immediately dies. Then I have to crank it for 15-20 seconds and then it finally starts again. After that it runs OK.

Where should I start looking for problems?

thanks

Post by **5lab** » 26 Sep 2004 11:46 pm

sounds like a fuelling fault - maybe something is allowing fuel to leak from the pipe when its standing - check the fuel lines for a leak. this would allow the engine to run for a few seconds on the fuel in the float, then require the engine to be turned over to pump the fuel from the tank upto the carb.

Post by **360GL** » 27 Sep 2004 01:43 pm

thanks,

That's what I thought too, but all fuel hoses have been replaced in april, including at the tank and at the bottom of the car. I have inspected them again and retightened the clamps. Maybe this will do it because it was a slow leak (the above problem only happened if sitting for a long time, like overnight).

Maybe the fault is at the carb, could it be allowing the air to get in the fuel line and drain the fuel back to the tank? Is there some sort of valve at the carb?

Post by **5lab** » 27 Sep 2004 01:49 pm

thing is, if its starting initially then it tells me that the carb itself is full of fuel, but the line isnt. put some newspaper under the car and see if any drips fall on it, although this wont guarentee there's no leak - as teh fuel might evaporate..

Post by **foggyjames** » 28 Sep 2004 01:31 am

Mine is a bit of a pain to start in the morning....here are a few thoughts...

1) There is a throttle stand-off (part of what makes the engine race when on-choke), which can be adjusted - you ought to have about 1300rpm on when you're on choke at idle, but mine is set to more like 1500 at the moment, which means I tend to under-choke it.

2) Once the engine has first fired, you can push the choke in a long way within a second or so - but I always push it too far and the engine stalls, as the choke is very sensitive in this mid-range.

3) I'm convinced my carb isn't right, so at some point its going for a rebuild at a carb specialist.

cheers

James

Post by **360GL** » 28 Sep 2004 02:23 am

There are no drips (if it's a small one it's almost impossible to see it anyway), I think the fuel doesn't leak out of the line but back into the tank because air somehow gets in.

foggyjames wrote:I'm convinced my carb isn't right,

It's funny you say that, because I have the same feeling about mine. Although the mechanic said there's generally nothing wrong with it (CO level OK etc.), The fuel consumption is definitely escessive (15L/100km - and that's not town driving) and it just doesn't feel right - can't explain. Maybe it's just generally worn.

Check if you still have the sealing plug installed where the CO mixture screw is. If it's not there, the carb will suck air through that hole despite the rubber ring around the screw (been there...)

Well, if you decide to get rid of the carb problems for the next 10-15 years, you could even invest in the whole new original carb (link) at half the Volvo price (but still high).

Post by **foggyjames** » 28 Sep 2004 12:09 pm

It's almost tempting you know....

Mine gives excellent economy on the motorway (I've managed 50mpg before), but its pretty poor around town...although I do have quite a heavy right foot, and do lots of short journeys.

I know very little about carbs, so I'll just take it to a specialist when I get around to it.

cheers

James

Post by **Tom** » 17 Nov 2004 06:53 pm

My B14 starts on the button in the morning usually, but choke and a firm foot on the gas is needed.

For some reason it has trouble starting when I come back to it from work. Not surprising after around 8 hours of standing but why does it start in the morning??

Post by **wjp01908** » 17 Nov 2004 08:26 pm

" but choke and a firm foot on the gas is needed. "

If the fast idle on the choke is set up correctly then you shouldn`t really need
to give it any gas to start it, as this in effect is what the idle cam on the carb does (sets a little bit of throttle). You might find it improved if you make sure the fast idle is set up to spec.

It doesn`t do much for engine life if you have to thrash the nuts off it before the oil has had a few seconds to get round the engine......

Mine starts on the button on cold mornings - the hot starting is a different matter though - I usually have to do it as if the engine was flooded with my foot flat down, and then ease staight up when it fires.

Will

Post by **5lab** » 17 Nov 2004 08:34 pm

will - you're MEANT to warmstart with yer foot halfdown - RTFM!

Post by **wjp01908** » 18 Nov 2004 08:52 am

Yeah I know, but it`s no go unless I floor it . Which is what you`re supposed to do in any case if it doesn`t fire straight off.

I often get a good sized puff of blue smoke on a hot start too - on the B14 there are only valve stem seals on the inlet valves and I reckon a fair bit of oil gets down in the cylinders.

Will

Post by **foggyjames** » 23 Nov 2004 02:45 pm

Looking back on this thread....I have also had this problem recently. The car starts fine, then dies, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. It's a pig to start again...probably taking 3-4 seconds of cranking to fire (but fires under 'cold start' choke conditions...so its not flooding).

I've also been struggle with misfires recently. Typically at about 70-80mph in 5th, it'll lose power. Change down to fourth and take it to 90 (~4000rpm), and it clears up for another 10 miles. It only does it with 'cheap' fuel. Even quality 95 oct (Shell is my favourite) is enough to clear it up, but supermarket petrol makes it very unhappy.

I smell carb problems
1) Wear? Needs rebuild maybe?
2) Dirty jets maybe? Carb cleaner will sort that if that's what it is....

Any thoughts?

cheers

James

Post by **DeKay** » 23 Nov 2004 02:57 pm

The new carb on mine is a bit crappy in the mornings.
I usually have to floor the throttle for about 2 secs before i start it, as it kicks in i give it about 3/4 choke and then do a fair amount of fiddling with the throttle and choke get it going smooth.

My throttle has a flat on the very start of the throttle which makes it a bit jumpy if you don't take it REALLY east for the first few miles.
after about 5 mins of running (around when the eng. temp guage gets up to the bottom line) the choke is usually all the way in and it runs as sweet as a ....sweet

Post by **redline** » 23 Nov 2004 05:42 pm

Dave , do you really have to drive EAST for a few miles to get it to run properly ,I have never heard of a throttle with directional preferences before . LOL (I know you meant easy but couldent resist it )

Post by **DeKay** » 23 Nov 2004 07:09 pm

yeah, well if i go too far west i end up in the river mersey, and there's enough knackered old bangers dumped in there as it is!

Plus, I'd hate to crash into a trolley on my way in or anything!

I meant take it easy, as well you know smart-arse!