Section : General

Starting it up after its winter rest 

Posted By : Lloyd Davis, 25-Mar-2004, 10:45am

Well folks like many of you I guess its time to think about getting the car back on the road. Having done alot of changes during the winter(gearbox, leaf string diff etc no engine stuff) I decided to start my herald up but whilst it turns over really well it won't fire. Petrol is getting to the carbs theirs power at the coil, points etc. and the battery is oK it just wont fire! i have dried th plugs out the distributor cap is only a couple of hundred miles old. I guess I am looking for moral support and a point in the right direction!!

• Starting it up after its winter rest 

  Posted By : Graham Cowan, 25-Mar-2004, 11:04am

  If you remove one of the plugs and while still attached to its lead, hold it close but not touching the engine block and turn over the engine, do you get a spark?

  • Starting it up after its winter rest 

    Posted By : John Drysdale, 25-Mar-2004, 11:17am

    have you used fresh petrol? as old stuff can go off,i had same problem once and fresh petrol did trick

    • Starting it up after its winter rest 

      Posted By : Tim Everitt, 25-Mar-2004, 12:02pm

      First thing to do is check the spark. If you have a nice fat blue one, then I too would suspect the petrol - particularly if you use unleaded. I'm told it can lose its volatility in a matter of weeks. But my experience has usually been that no fire = no spark or weak spark or spark at an inappropriate time.

      • Starting it up after its winter rest 

        Posted By : Lloyd Davis, 25-Mar-2004, 12:21pm

        
        Cheers guys
        The petrol dates to Oct 2003 as for the spark test I will try it tonight. It was to late and too wet last night to try. Watch this space.

        • Starting it up after its winter rest 

          Posted By : John Davies, 25-Mar-2004, 06:37pm

          Try some "KwikStart" or similar spray into the inlets. If it fires - fuelling problem. If not - electrics, probably.
          John

          • Starting it up after its winter rest 

            Posted By : Lloyd Davis, 26-Mar-2004, 10:41am

            Theirs no spark at the plugs but I have voltage at the coil then at the points. I intend to spend some time on it this afternoon update to follow!

            • Starting it up after its winter rest 

              Posted By : Stephen Peterson, 26-Mar-2004, 05:47pm

              There may be something of use in the 'No spark' thread in 'Ignition and Distributors'. Good luck.
              
              Steve

              • Starting it up after its winter rest 

                Posted By : Lloyd Davis, 30-Mar-2004, 08:54am

                We Friday night I got home keen and ready to go a mechanic friend of mine drop round and the scene was set. I demonstrated (usaing a multimeter) the voltage at the battery then coil then I said this is what happens when I start it and as luck would have it she started straight away!. I just put it down to the car sulking and feeling un loved or was that the wife? I guess the truth was it had a poor connection and by taking the wires of and on it established a good connection again? So alls well that ends well.