Hi all.

Its that time of year again. I've been strong and spent out the £5 on battery clamps that ive been putting off for months and started playing with the coupe again.

Its been about 6months since its started and although it turned over well, it wouldnt start. It hasnt started since i changed my jerry can fuel solution to a proper tank so i reverted to the can again, same problem.

If i splash fuel into the carb it will start for a few secs so ignition is fine. If i take of the fuel pipe at the carb and turn it over i am getting splashes of fuel (mechanical pump) so fuel is getting up there. So i took the top of the carb off, removed the piston and needle and gave that a gentle clean as it looked a bit corroded, back together and oil in dashpot and it almost started the first time, almost wasnt enough though and its doing the same thing now, only starts when force fed.

Would be great if anyone has any thoughts on what could be the problem. Is it worth opening up the float? When i took off the fuel pipe it seemed like there was a little bit of pressure there and the fuel *popped* out. There is also a pipe that goes nowhere (see pic) not sure if that is right but its always been the same and has started before. If i blow down the pipe i get fuel in the carb (not sure if that was a good idea or not). Should that just be out in the air?



Finally, im not even sure of the type of carb it is.... HIF44?

Thanks in advance

It's an HIF44 and the pipe going nowhere is a breather so when you blow into it the carb is getting pressurised and fuel forced up. The breather normally goes over the clutch cover and just 'breathes' into the atmosphere somewhere in front of the wheel, which is a bit iffy I routed mine to where any petrol coming out would do no harm.

If the car started fine 6 months ago there doesn't seem much point in faffing about with the float level. It's probably corrosion or sediment and it would be better to strip the carb and clean everything out with an airline. Taking the bottom plate off it should reveal all but be aware that there is a rubber O ring there which might need replacing. My carb had been standing for years and the amount of white corrosion in it had to be seen to be believed!

Thanks, il give that a crack tomorrow and report back!

As raymond

I suspect tere is some sediment inside the carb, pop it apart and give it a good clean, including iside the jet spray carb cleaner through it and all other little drillings.

The race fuel inmy dads drag car is a nightmare for this when it evaporates and we have to clean the hollys out regularly.

Neil

sorted. there was plenty of mess in there and quite a lot of mess came through the jet when i blew through it. Ran nicely for a little while yesterday but struggling to keep running today, i think thats just air in the fuel line so looks good so far. Next step, gear linkage! That should be a treat as i can only get 3rd and 4th. Im sure thats just adjustment though.

Thanks!

Glad you fixed it An in line fuel filter is a good idea to keep sediment out of the carb if you don't already have one and, if you do, muck in it might be why the car isn't running so smoothly now. Just a thought


(I just typed krap with a 'c' up there and it came up as 'Toffee' )

Just a thought, there is a tiny gauze filter inside the carb, I think it may be behind the jet but this gums up when left too long and will give you grief when you think everything has been checked. Had a similar problem on my mini with the same carb HIF44.
Peter.

Thanks Peeps