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TR2/3/3A Starting Conundrum

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Cranking speed would not be enough to draw much, or any, fuel into the manifold when cold. The choke lowers the jet and exposes more fuel to the air flow during cranking and cold running.
 
Good point. But when he uses starter fluid, cranking does draw it through the intake manifold and it fires.

Thanks for keeping the ideas flowing!
TM
 
Good point TM about starting with starter fluid, but not running! That is why I figured his fuel pump is not working. Has he checked the fuel pump? i did not see that mentioned.

steve
 
Great thread friends. I had my carbs re-built by Joe Curto as I did not have access to a machine shop. We'll worth it. My 59 TR3 runs great but have hydraulic issues with leakage.
 
Did a few tests today:
  • The enricher cable was getting snagged at the end of the cable to straightened that and oiled the cable and it's now pulling nicely.
  • Cranked the engine and checked to see that fuel is being pumped to the carbs.
  • Took off the carb float lids and checked that the needles are moving freely, they are.
  • Adjusted the fuel float flange with the 11 bit.
Cranked her over and she nearly fires but not yet (at least the plugs are now getting wet).
 
Also, If there's insufficient fuel getting from the float bowl to the carb then where's the most likely place to be blocked?
 
Goose55 said:
Also, If there's insufficient fuel getting from the float bowl to the carb then where's the most likely place to be blocked?
Click to expand...

You're doing some great troubleshooting!

Are the carb float bowls filling to the correct level?
 
The plugs are getting wet. If they're wet, they should fire if they're sparking.

Have you tested that the plugs are sparking?
 
I did previously but I'll retry. I wonder whether it's an issue with the carb float attachment bolts, if there's a blockage then that may affect the venting and vacuum?
 
If the plugs are wet, then you probably don't have a carb problem. Plugs are sparking, and they're wet ... you probably have a timing problem. Plugs are firing before, or after, the fuel hits the cylinder.

I'm not saying *not* to have the carbs cleaned and checked. But it would be a good idea to check the timing. Do you feel comfortable doing that?

Also, sometimes a distributor lock bolt loosens, and the distributor rotates out of synch, causing the plugs to fire at the wrong time in the fuel/air cycle.
 
Once again it is posssible that poor quality fuel lines are chocking off the fuel......
If the pump only gets a trickle it wont start. Never put a filter ahead of the pump......
There are tons of fake parts on the market. NEVER buy any fuel line not rated for fuel injection
I have had a fuel line fail in only 5 years of use. They swell internally.
Mad dog
 
How old is the gas in the tank? Since you have fuel and spark, the next possibility is old fuel.

With the air cleaners off, and especially when the choke is pulled, you will see fuel where the needle goes down into the jet. If you see fuel, then you do not have a feed problem...i.e. you can disregard all the fuel feed recommendations above.
 
Well I double checked today and there's no fuel on the plugs so I looked at the carb throat with the enricher pulled and there's no weep of fuel from the needles, it stays dry. Any ideas?
 
OK - earlier in this thread you said the plugs were wet. Have you pulled the carb(s) and checked that all the openings and passages are clean and open?

Also, two weeks ago we suggested you contact the Cape Town British Car Club. They're local to you. What did you learn from them?

Tom M.
 
Hi, yeah I contact the CTBCC and they confirmed that I need to pull the carbs to check the float valves, main jets, and needle for blockages. Anything else you would recommend while I'm doing that?
 
One step at a time! Let us know what you find about the carbs.
TM
 
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