Looks like it might be time to check the compression. I had a car once that
had just enough compression to run but would not start on the starter motor.
Had to push it down a hill and kick start it. When it fired up there was a
great cloud of blue smoke. Of course, it was a FORD!
Kent
----- Original Message -----
From <cdsorkin at ix.netcom.com>
To: Frank Clarici <spritenut@Exit109.com>
Cc: <cdsorkin@ix.netcom.com>; <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, July 01, 2000 10:42 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Closer, but still won't start
> Tried most of these things (not hammering the valves, though.)
>
> As for the timing, when the front two rockers are both up, the rotor is
pointing at plug number 1.
> Plenty of air and fuel is getting through the carbs, and I had the air
cleaners off. As for starting fluid, the cylinders were defintiely wet, but
I squirted some butane lighter fluid in each one. Points are brand new, as
is the condensor.
>
> The float bowls are filled with gas, and I made sure that the needles and
seats are clean and working. (Didn't reset them, though.)
>
> The jets appear to be passing fuel, because the cylinders are getting at
least a little (the plugs seem wet).
>
> A couple of times it sounded like it was about to start (two or three
cylinders firing) but no dice. Not trusting the throttle and choke cables,
I had my enthusiastic father in law hold the throttle and choke open at the
carbs.
>
> Sounds like I might have an issue with the valves, right? I mean, if its
getting petrol, and pulling air, and getting spark, it should start, as long
as the engine can breathe...
>
> Thanks for the suggestions.
>
> Regards,
>
> Charles
> '74 Midget
> '68 Sprite
> cdsorkin@ix.netcom.com
> Bloomfield, NJ
> "How about we duck inside for a Hen?"
> Frank Clarici <spritenut@exit109.com> wrote:
> > cdsorkin@ix.netcom.com wrote:
>
> > Why won't the thing start?
>
> > What should I try next? Besides Guiness?
>
> Maybe it just needs a kick. Squirt a little WD 40 in each carb (air
> cleaners off)
> This stuff does make a good safe starting fluid. Put your hands over
> each carb mouth and push the solenoid button (or have some one turn the
> key)
> If you feel suction on your hands, you have enough compression to fire
> it up.
> You mave have a stuck valve or two in which case a hammer works wonders.
> Remove the valve cover and smack each valve with a hammer.
> Remember you are freeing a gummed up valve not driving a piling.
> No harder then you would smack a nail should do the trick.
>
> Are you getting gas in the jets? sometimes that little tube is clogged.
> Pop out the piston and blow air down the jet itself, you can see if
> bubbles come up in the float bowl. Or crud, or nothing at all.
>
> Other things that may be at fault....
> 1)Dizzy drive 180 out.
> 2) Not all Lucas dizzy caps are created equal, some like the TR7s will
> fit a spridget but are 90* out. I have a few of these and just point the
> dizzy towards the back of the engine so they work (we tight)
> If you have blue spark, the points are fine, timing may be off a bit, if
> it backfires real bad, it's 180 out. This can be corrected by flipping
> the plug wires.
> 3) firing order, 1-3-4-2, #1 being just left of the U shaped notch and
> running counter clockwise from there on the d/cap.
>
> Try the WD 40 or starting fluid in the carbs first, see if it fires for
> a few seconds, do the hand choke thing to see if you have suction too.
> The carbs could be way out of whack.
> --
> Frank Clarici
> Toms River, NJ
> If you are not living on the edge,
> You're taking up too much space!
> http://www.exit109.com/~spritenut
>
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