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Fuel at Start Up & starter fluid

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R

richards

Jedi Hopeful
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re: 1974 TR6
When my cars sits for over a few days, it take a some cranks of the engine to get it started. When it has been driven recently, then it starts immediatly.
I was told that fuel evaporates from the carbs over a time. I do have the lever on the fuel pump to charge the carbs. How many times should I lever the lever to charge the carbs?
Or is it ok to put a SMALL amount of starter fluid into the
the air-cleaner, which by the way does work.

Thanks.
 
My 250 does the same thing, 1 crank to get the fuel to the carbs, 2nd crank starts it. In the owners manual I remember it stating, if the car has sat for a few days to lift the fuel pump lever until resistance is felt (On mine it's maybe 3-4 pumps.
 
On my '4 I can hear the fuel squirting into the bowls... sounds changes when they are full. 3-4 pumps sounds about right. Too many shouldn't matter if the floats are adjusted correctly.
 
Then again a few cranks (not very long) wont hurt as it helps build oil pressure before starting anyways.
 
Good idea about the oil pressure.
It is just that when it does not start right away you wonder
what if anything might be wrong. Just hoping the LBC Gods are smiling that day.
 
It's actually backwards on the pump lever. You feel a hydraulic resistance on the lever when it's pumping. Once it has filled the bowls and built pressure in the line, the resistance goes away and you just feel the lever hitting the stop as you try to pump.
 
Mine has an electric pump. Two squirts of starter fluid and it starts and runs fine. Why won't it start without those squirts?
 
I had a 1968 MG that would not start if it was raining or below 60 degrees. No amount of tune-ups would help. If memory serves, it was a 6 volt system.

One thing I like about the TR2/3 is they always start...at least in any and all weather I can stand to drive them in!?!
 
Sounds like the choke to me, too. I hope you know to pull the choke out ALL the way before starting it, and then push it back in halfway or so once the car starts.

I get the willies when people talk casually about using starter fluid. That is really dangerous stuff.
 
Why not install an electric fuel pump? Instant starts and easier on the starter motor. Get one that puts out 2.5 psi and you wont need a regulator. Install a fuel filter between the tank and the pump and you will never have to pump that stock fuel pump lever again. My .02 :smile:
 
I blush to admit it but the best starting car I ever owned was a 63 healey 3000..Bar none.
It started better than any Japanese, German ,Italian new or old car I have ever owned.
A turn of the key, electric pump would click a few times , push the button, and it was running.
Mad dog
 
karls59tr said:
Why not install an electric fuel pump? Instant starts and easier on the starter motor. Get one that puts out 2.5 psi and you wont need a regulator. Install a fuel filter between the tank and the pump and you will never have to pump that stock fuel pump lever again. My .02 :smile:
Click to expand...
Thank you, McT. Have both, elec pump and filter.
 
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