Cold Start - pumping/setting choke etc

ptothej · Post by **ptothej** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 12:43 pm

Hey there.. this maybe a stupid inquiry, but just wondering on average.. how many times you should have to pump the gas to set the carb.. now I assume back when this vehicle was brand new 1 should of set it and you would be good to go unfortunatly I have never experienced a carbureted car brand new from the factory. Mine is an '87 and I find when its like closer to -10 here in Kamloops it takes about 20 pumps and it fires right up, between that and plus temperatures usually takes me like 10 or less I guess you could say to have it fire right up. Now also I have played with the carb myself, so I was wondering how many turns the mixture screw and whatnot should be turned (factory or whichever specs) also what should this car idle at when cold and warm.. theres a high idle then a lower one then normal idle on my car.. not sure if thats on all of them, but thats how mine seems to be.. if I wasnt clear about anything please let me know and I will explain myself better, because Im very interested in how this thing should actually work.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 12:59 pm

Grab the FSM (Factory Service Manual) off of the homepage. http://www.tercel4wd.com

Make sure your choke actuates properly. If not, I'd clean it and lube it.

keith · Post by **keith** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 7:39 pm

Try just going halfway to the floor and let up and turn the key. See if it starts right up then. One half to 3/4ths is usually the right amount. You could be putting it too much gas.

ptothej · Post by **ptothej** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:59 am

Keith this morning I tried your method.. it was about -5ish, and it fired right up! But! I hadn't looked at your reply since sometime yesterday so I didnt let up.. I held it at the 1/2 - 3/4 position and turned the key at the same time.. still great results! After work here hopefully I will remember to kick my pumping habit.. and try holding then letting go.. thanks!

jetswim · Post by **jetswim** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 11:13 pm

Wow, I'm gonna try it too. Hope I can stop the mad pumping in cold temps...

ptothej · Post by **ptothej** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 9:29 am

Actually I lied, my car when I held it I belive it fired then stalled right away.. but the second attempt it started right away.. same thing with pushing the gas down then releasing it fires then stalls.. but in either case way better then sitting there pumping it for no reason! I belive when I looked at my choke last.. it was slow to set (in my eyes) so I will try holding the gas for just a bit longer to make sure it has set itself

keith · Post by **keith** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 2:22 pm

Couple of things here. Press 1/2 to 3/4ths the way down and let up, then turn the key. Second, a lot of people spray their choke linkage with wd40 or some other oil. Don't do it. Spray the choke linkage with carburetor or choke cleaner and leave it dry. This includes the fast idle cam, in fact ALL the carburetor linkage. NO OIL. Not even the TeflonÃ¢â€žÂ¢ sprays.

I used to have a 66 Dodge that would discipline you to follow these instructions to the exact letter. If you went all the way to the floor, touched it more than once or didn't go at least half way and let up, it would not start. You might as well go back in the house and watch the next half hour of the morning news because thats how long you had to wait for a second chance. Follow the directions and it would start immediately. It did not matter if it was -6 or 105 outside.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 4:39 pm

Next time the engine is cold, try this... before starting, pop the air cleaner lid. The choke butterfly should be open. Press the pedal once. The choke should go closed. My wagon usually starts with 1 pump, then it dies, but restarts and keeps running without touching the pedal.

ptothej · Post by **ptothej** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 7:20 pm

Paul I definetly think thats how my car is.. after work tonight it was a cow and took 3 tries to start, I gotta get off my ass and check that choke linkage out with all of this newfound info! I bet you I need to clean it, and or make it open faster somehow.. because I bet its not closing properly on one touch to the throttle

Snax · Post by **Snax** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:58 pm

Thanks for that suggestion Paul. Even with the Weber I had been pumping multiple times to get it to fire, but I tried your technique and it fired right up with the choke holding it at 2000 rpm until I touch the pedal again. Previously it would just die unless I kept feathering in throttle after it fired.

Such a simple thing . .

jetswim · Post by **jetswim** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:30 am

Yeah me too. I just press the pedal down about half way and boom! No more pumping!! And it choke idles at 2000 rpm.
Thanks