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My Type 2 4.2 is reluctant to start from cold even in the summer months but once fired up will start no problems first time every time until it's left for a couple of days. This week (feb 2010 ) I attempted to start her after a three month lay up.
After a few strong spins of the engine I knew I had the same problem.
The fuel pump was priming, the spark plugs were working and it has electronic ignition.
I decided the easiest first check was a small squirt of "easy start" . The engine fired strongly and cut out as the "fuel" was burned. This leaves me with a possible fuel starvation problem but the fuel was in the carbs and in the summer she sometimes floods while starting.
The motor has a big valve head and high lift cams and is in excellent condition having been re built by Dereck Watson.
I susupect the fuel may be dropping back through the pump which is a high volume item but can anyone help with advice before I go pulling the system apart and whats left of my hair out ?
Les

Les,

sounds like the problem I get with a Facet cube style pump which I have mounted above the fuel level. If the car is not run for a few weeks the pump loses its prime. I just let it run until it quietens down, about a minute, then all's well.

Dave

I have recently rejoined the JEC and have a problem with cold starting. If I leave my 67 E Type for more than about 2 weeks it is very difficult to start despite having a 123 distributor. It cranks over OK but then fires on 2 or 3 cylinders for some time before, after about 30 s of cranking, fires into life.
I suspect modern fuel although I run on Shell V Power.

Any suggestions please?

Regards,
John Wharf

Hi John,

I’ve been experiencing a similar problem for years now - put it down to old cars not liking the cold, damp and particularly lack of use. I’ve just tried starting up but it would not - took the plugs out and they were all completely carbon’d up. Have given them a clean but it’s obviously running rich so I’ll get it booked in for a good old fashioned tune up - there’s a place in Bexleyheath called Sanspeed I’ve used for years.

However, that will depend on me getting it started and I need to leave it on trickle charge till tomorrow for the battery to recover a bit - though it’s only about 15months old. I can hear the fuel pump tick so I think the issue is with spark - the spade connections to the coil don’t look brilliant, maybe there’s a bad contact somewhere, corroded due to …..cold and damp.

I also use Shell V Power, though I’ve just started to add Millers EPS - but not long enough to detect any improvement.

I’ll let you know if I come across a particular cause!

Cheers, Simon.