[NOBBC] Any thoughts on a starting issue?

[Andy Preston]

Greg, I have the same problem with my 74 MGB GT sometimes and have tried
most things.  First of all do a compression check to rule out a leaking
cylinder head gasket.  Do it cold and hot.  I replaced all ignition system
on my car and it didn't make any difference.  Check the plugs in the morning
prior to starting the car; I normally had one of two clean ones and two that
were either damp or wet.  If I installed clean plugs it fired up immediately
on all four cylinders.  So I assumed it must be fuel related.  I cleaned and
aired out the charcoal canister and that seemed to help some.  I've adjusted
the carbs and am probably running a little lean.  When I start the car I
usually spin the engine with no choke at first and then just a little choke
and then it starts.  So far I'm learning to live with it but haven't really
found the answer.  If you discover the silver bullet let us know.

BTW I have 3 other MGs and they all start with no problems; maybe its smog
related.

Andy 

-----Original Message-----
From: nobbc-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:nobbc-bounces at autox.team.net] On
Behalf Of Greg Badano
Sent: Sunday, July 01, 2012 7:08 PM
To: North Bay British Car Club; NOBBC at yahoogroups.com
Subject: [NOBBC] Any thoughts on a starting issue?

Hello all,
 
I am hoping I can get some possible trouble shooting
suggestions for diagnosing a starting issue that has recently developed with
my car.  It starts up almost immediately but it's not firing on all
cylinders.  It will lope along for a few minutes this way and then I can
hear
and feel the missing cylinder(s?) start to kick in here and there until it
finally all six are firing the way they should and it idles smoothly at 500
RPM.  Revs and drives just fine after this initial rough period as well.  It
does this consistently if it has been sitting a while.  I pulled all the
plugs, cleaned and re-gapped them thinking perhaps one was fouled.  For what
it is worth they were all pretty dark.  Maybe this is related and maybe not.
 
Any thoughts on what might be going or how I might isolate the problem?
 
Thanks in advance for any thoughts and suggestions.
 
Greg
1959 AC Aceca
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