TR2/3/3A Starting Conundrum

[sp53]

it still sounds like a fuel pump to me.

 

[NutmegCT]

Could be several things, but if he's getting fuel in the fuel bowls, seems the fuel pump is working.

TM

 

[sp53]

I hear you TM, and I should reread everything on the post. Where I am coming from is the fuel could be in the bowls and there still could be no pressure pumping the fuel further, but again, the car should burn the fuel in the bowls; perhaps the pump is weak.

I thought he said it runs on starting fluid. I would think if he kept on pouring start fluid it would use the fuel in the tank at some point and keep running

When I have had similar conditions, the plugs are usually fouled out and will not burn the fuel. I would replace the plugs and squirt a little staring fluid and the car starts and warms up engine fixing the problem which is usally caused by sitting

What John suggested with the choke is also a large potential problem here.

Steve

 

[Goose55]

Interestingly, some members of the CTBCC also believe that this could be caused by fouled fuel.

 

[NutmegCT]

Good point. Easy way to test - suck out all the fuel in the carb bowl, fill bowl with fresh gas to the correct level, give 'er a crank and see what happens. Did the plugs get wet? If the bowl is full of stale gas, but the plugs remain dry after cranking, fresh gas wouldn't make a difference
Tom M..

 

[AR Hardie]

Thanks I'll give that a try.

Had the same problem with my TR3 after sitting all winter.after much angst turned out to be old bad gas. Fresh gas in the tank alone did not help. Had to dip all the old gas out of the carb bowls then it started.

 

[KVH]

Have you solved your issue? Mention has been made of insufficient fuel pressure, but is it possible you have excessive pressure and extreme flooding? Harbor Freight sells an inexpensive gauge and testing kit. You can check pressure in 5 minutes. You should not have more than 2.5 PSI, nor less than 1.5 PSI.

 

[NutmegCT]

He was last here earlier this morning. Would be nice if he'd at least tell us what he's tried recently, and how the situation is now.

Tom M.

 

[Goose55]

Hi all, so far I've drained all the fuel in the tank, lines, and carbs. I've also checked that there's no blockages, so I'm now ready to refill with some new fuel and hopefully get her going again.

 

[KVH]

Hi all, so far I've drained all the fuel in the tank, lines, and carbs. I've also checked that there's no blockages, so I'm now ready to refill with some new fuel and hopefully get her going again.

Just a guess. Granted I keep learning, and could be wrong. But, if the fuel was only as old as you indicate, I just don’t see that as the issue.

Are you sure you’re getting spark at all four plugs? You pulled the plug wires and you can see a bluish white spark when you hold the wires close to ground and crank the engine with the ignition on?

You are certain the wires to your coil are intact with no faults? With the ignition on you get 12 V to the coil with your ignition points wide open? When you wiggle the wires at the coil, you still have 12 V?

Do you have oil in the dashpot of each carburetor?

With the air cleaners removed, and when you lift each piston, does it drop smoothly so you can hear a metallic click as it hits the bridge of the intake manifold? If not, and especially since your car was sitting for quite some time, I wonder if your pistons are sticking wide open. That can frequently be a problem and is easily resolved by cleaning the piston and housing, and carefully removing any carbon or debris buildup.

It’s difficult to tell from the discussion on your choke cables, but you should definitely verify, visually, that when the choke is pulled the jets are dropping down by as much as a quarter inch or more. You might need an assistant to help watch, or when you pull a choke cable, maybe you can hold it open with a clothespin or clamp.

If the above all clear, and you have fuel in your fuel bowls, and your fuel bowls are clean, and the needles are not impeded, I would continue to question your fuel pump. Is it old? Is it new (which might be worse)? I would check the pressure.

I think the good news here is that it’s likely you’re going to find your issue and fix it soon.

 

[KVH]

BTW, when you release the choke cable, the jets in the carburetors come back up, correct?