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Trouble starting a warm Midget 1500

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pankeyg

Freshman Member
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Hi,

I'm experiencing difficulty starting a warm engine on my 78 MG Midget. I had a new Weber carb with a manual choke installed 15 months ago. Points and plugs have been replaced and the fuel is fresh. It starts up fine when cold and that strikes me as odd.

This gradually started happening at the beginning of summer until now the starter just stops wanting to crank after an initial try -- it stops after 5 seconds and doesn't engage on subsequent attempts. I eventually flood the carb.

I've decided to replace the starter but I fear that will not solve the problem.

Any ideals?

Thanks.

Gary from New Hampshire.
 
Sounds like choke is on full and fuel lock is causing the starter to not turn the engine in that condition.

Take the choke off and try that for compairson.
 
Is it cranking slow (Like hot starter syndrom--Common..) or is it just not "kicking over?" How is your idle speed when engine is warmed up?
 
Thanks for all the comments.

I'll check/clean the battery terminals and connections. Make sure things are tight.

On subsequent attempts to start the warm car the starter is slow and after a few seconds it stops cranking. I can do this over and over again.
 
Jack,

Funny you should mention the choke being on full. I was convinced this was the case because I had been experiencing a sticky choke line. It was a new line and it was sticking and I went ahead and oiled it a little. I could have oiled it too much - don't think so though. I didn't realize the fuel lock would cause the starter to not crank. I didn't put the two together. Am I understanding you correctly? there is a connection between the two?

You mention taking the choke off and giving it a test. I have been simply making sure the choke is in all the way. I have to learn about this.

Thanks.
 
Yep, connection. If the cylinders are full of liquid the starter can not turn the engine over. Well not full but enough to raise the compression quite a bit.
 
If the engine gets "hydrolocked" where it won't turn over at all, the liquid needs to be removed from the cylinders, usually by removing plugs and cranking it over,otherwise you'll wind up bending valves, connecting rods, etc..

Or if the engine is realllly old, and has no compression and you let it sit for days the liquid will seep past the rings into the pan. You can tell that by the oil level rising.

So it doesn't sound like hydrolock.

I agree check the choke opening, by removing the aircleaner and making sure the flap is fully open. Then go after the electrical. Make sure the ground wire is clean and tight to the chassis and engine.
 
Please check your engine timing. I have had a improperly timed engine cause this exact problem. I usually static time the engine so that I know it is close and then move into the finer timing adjustment. Doug
 
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