Cold weather starting - tips and techniques?

[wca]

Thought I would go for an blast around the New Forest to enjoy the crisp frosty morning but the Wedge appears to be less keen on the idea.

Any tips or tricks for getting a 3.5 started on a cold and frosty morning?

[CDP]

Hair dryer on the HT leads?

On my brother's Santana we had to take the spark plugs out and pop them in the oven for 10 minutes, spray easy start into the airbox and remove the oil filler before it would start. Every cold morning.

[wca]

Air filter off, carb cleaner into the holleys. start the engine and all is fine.

not sure if this is an official technique but it got the car started.

Fun on icy roads aren't they :-)

[mrzigazaga]

Even scarier when you have to brake hard on a damp road doing 70 mph..

[vampire222]

Starter spray / Brake cleaner then after it run s for a sec put the air filter back on....

Try putting some injector cleaner in your next tank of fuel so it might start easier... Check your plugs too

[Oz2]

Hair dryer on the HT leads?

sorry but whats cold weather again?

went out in the SX today and i got a bit burnt,had to take it a bit slow though as the highway patrol were out in force,`s

[CDP]

Oz2 said:

Hair dryer on the HT leads?

On my other brother's FSO 125P we used to do this on cold mornings to get it started. The concept of replacing the leads never really occurred to us.

[400SE Dave]

I use the age old method of turning the key and letting it tick over

Seriously though, is it that hard to start when on carbs???

[Henry Harris]

400SE Dave said:

Seriously though, is it that hard to start when on carbs???

Not at all. Turn on, let the fuel pump do its job then two or three full pumps on the throttle and my 450se starts first time. Yes you have to keep blipping the throttle for a short while and then off you go with no hesitation with an Edelbrock Carburettor.

[pjtvr390se]

In your earlier post, I think it was your first on here, the picture shows the choke was being held open by a cable tie, have you sorted that out and fitted a cable? I'm sure that would help with cold starting.

[CDP]

400SE Dave said:

Seriously though, is it that hard to start when on carbs???

Alternatively on a Princess with twin SUs you crank for a while then it eventually and reluctantly catches. The engine will chug for a few seconds on two or three cylinders while waiting for the others to catch. After a while all six are firing and you can start to make slow, jerky progress until eventually it clears it's throat and starts running normally. I can't imagine how this car could be controlled with an autobox but fuel injection on the Santana was a revelation, apart from the oven, easy-start and oil filler cap procedure...

[wca]

pjtvr - to my shame, it is still like that. I haven't worked out how to route the choke cable yet. I guess that doesn't help. :-/

[Henry Harris]

CDP said:

The engine will chug for a few seconds on two or three cylinders while waiting for the others to catch. After a while all six are firing and you can start to ...

On my previous TVR, a six cylinder 2500M in 1972 with twin fuel emission Strombergs, I could then blast it when all cylinders had cut in.

[Lean Machine]

My 400 SE starts fairly easily and first time even though the cold start mechanism is disconnected. Ignition on, couple of pumps on the gas pedal, turn the key until it starts. In cold weather it sounds a bit groggy at first but as it heats up its perfect. In the summer no problems straight off. I hope it always stays that way.

Tony. TCB.

[grahamw48]

I never had any starting problems with my Wedges in winter.

Buy and use a trickle charger on the battery, and make sure all the HT and LT systems are in good clean condition. Easy.

My old Morris 1,000s were the best. Just a good swing on the starting handle.

[Campbell]

Dont use easy start on the car at it will clean all the carbon off the heads and you will never be able to start the car with out the stuff.
Try checking the timming is ok and plugs and leads are in good order.

Cambelt

[CDP]

Check the points are clean and dry too.

This is like going back in time isn't it?

[RCK974X]

Never had a problem with my 280. (either in NZ or UK)
It takes an extra crank or two, but catches fairly quick, apart from one cyl (which I reckon is a leaky injector) which takes a second or two longer, then it's happy.
But then mine sits in a shed/garage so is protected from the worst of the cold. which probably helps.

My old kit car, with a tuned Triumph 2500 could be a bugger in the frost, requiring a 'just so' right foot and some luck....

I reckon a good quality battery helps, turning the motor over just that bit quicker can make a big difference in the cold.

[wca]

The TVR ownership experience - Yesterdays technology - Today!

Car starts fine in the warm and dry, first time I have tried to start it in sub-zero temps and my choke is zip tied open (closed, or what ever way means there is no choke).

Anyone know any good garages for tuning carbs?

The guy near me looked at them, smiled and told me his dad used to talk about carbs but as far as he knew they were something to do with bread and pasta and not good for your diet. Kids today huh?

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Mate..There is this site for tuning holleys IF you decide to DIY..You might be better off finding someone who can tune them though..Ziga
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=t...