Amazon: - failing to start - Page 3

940_Turbo · Dec 17th, 2012, 09:47

I doubt it's the head gasket, unheard of pretty much on a B18/20

woodman · Dec 17th, 2012, 13:42

I know this sounds simplistic, but have you tried leaning on the choke cable while you fire the engine? My Amo has a single Stromberg, and despite many attempts to adjust the choke linkage correctly, I've found that if I physically hold the choke out when I go for the first turn of the engine, and with no throttle, it'll fire pretty much first time. If I don't hold onto the choke knob, it creeps back in, loses the full-whack enrichment and is then reluctant to fire.

You also need the points and timing to be set up well.

I doubt the head gasket being the culprit - these engines will start and run when they're virtually shot to bits, so long as there's fuel, air and electricity going in in roughly the right combinations.

superspod · Dec 17th, 2012, 16:25

so still waiting for teh battery charge however took off the top of the rocker cover and "mayonaise" everywhere. i changed the oil about 4 months ago and have done less than 30 miles which is worrying. i intend on changing the oil once it has been recharged so i can see the extent of the damage as well as see if new oil helps. i alos will try and get a new rocker cover gasket to see if thats the culprit. although it looked as though most of it was coming from the pipe attached to the manifold. when i took off the rocker cover the screws were all very loose with only 2 having washers and the gasket was a synthetic one from IPD which looked quite old and frayed. was unable to try any ignition things, however i will also now try and persuade my mum to get me a compression test kit.
thanks again for all the help,
cameron

Volvorama · Dec 17th, 2012, 18:57

Again, rather than fancy stuff like a compression tester get Mum to buy a new thermostat and gasket from Brookhouse (maybe an 82 degree one).
To test compression you could just turn the engine over by hand (ignition off!). You should be able to feel each cylinder resisting you as it gets up to TDC. If it does, you have compression, it it doesn't, you don't.
Also there's take the plugs out and the stick your thumb over a plug hole while Mum turns the engine over on the starter (or vice versa). You should be able to notice a difference if one cylinder is low.

Volvo Canadian · Dec 18th, 2012, 04:31

I'm reading this and smiling - so much information from guys who have the hands-on knowledge.

My two-bits are not to panic and just get 'er running. I'm guessing you just over-choked it, maybe things are a bit wet, that kind of thing.

"these engines will start and run when they're virtually shot to bits, so long as there's fuel, air and electricity going in in roughly the right combinations." Priceless.

Derek UK · Dec 18th, 2012, 11:41

Sometimes you just need patience. Plenty more of these on YT.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C0JaratRuY

Volvo Canadian · Dec 18th, 2012, 11:54

Hahah, I stopped watching it after awhile, but did you notice he was pumping the gas?? Might have started sooner.

superspod · Dec 18th, 2012, 16:34

thank you guys soooo much, charged up the battery and without the choke it wasnt starting, so i tried it with the choke off and it started after a while albeit the engine shaking a lot idling. what i noticed was how the radiator started warming up almost immediately- i think it might be the thermostat letting the cold coolant in almost immediately, so new thermostat is on the way. once it was warm it ran perfectly normal. i have got in contact with a local mechanic who can come round and do a hydrocarbon test with the radiator fluid an also hopefully have a look at what else it may be. it should be noted that when i first turned it on it seemed irregular.
thank you so much,
cameron

Derek UK · Dec 18th, 2012, 18:23

Recheck that you have the plug leads in their correct positions. 1-3-4-2 anti clockwise, with #1 lead on the dizzy at about 11 o'clock.

kishor kassie · Dec 18th, 2012, 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by superspod

thank you, its a stromberg, and there is a noticeable change in sound with choke on when it starts so it is definitely working. the one issue is that the battery is now flat from my attempts so will have to wait for the trickle charger to arrive on monday. slightly annoying since i have had no problems until it went to the MOT, however i doubt they fiddled with the engine. it doesnt help that i have relatively no experience on cars but thanks for all the quick replys.
cameron

Hi Cameron

I am happy to come and get your Volvo started. Give me your address and number, can come over on Saturday. Ta Kassie 07828879494

Dec 17th, 2012, 13:42	#22
woodman Master Member Last Online: Mar 10th, 2023 13:03 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sheffield	I know this sounds simplistic, but have you tried leaning on the choke cable while you fire the engine? My Amo has a single Stromberg, and despite many attempts to adjust the choke linkage correctly, I've found that if I physically hold the choke out when I go for the first turn of the engine, and with no throttle, it'll fire pretty much first time. If I don't hold onto the choke knob, it creeps back in, loses the full-whack enrichment and is then reluctant to fire. You also need the points and timing to be set up well. I doubt the head gasket being the culprit - these engines will start and run when they're virtually shot to bits, so long as there's fuel, air and electricity going in in roughly the right combinations. __________________ 1967 Volvo 121 Auto in everyday use and rolling restoration. 2002 Audi TT quattro. (Sorry!)

Dec 17th, 2012, 18:57	#24
Volvorama Too many cats Last Online: Aug 24th, 2023 09:02 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Birmingham	Dear Santa... Again, rather than fancy stuff like a compression tester get Mum to buy a new thermostat and gasket from Brookhouse (maybe an 82 degree one). To test compression you could just turn the engine over by hand (ignition off!). You should be able to feel each cylinder resisting you as it gets up to TDC. If it does, you have compression, it it doesn't, you don't. Also there's take the plugs out and the stick your thumb over a plug hole while Mum turns the engine over on the starter (or vice versa). You should be able to notice a difference if one cylinder is low. __________________ Mark

Dec 18th, 2012, 04:31	#25
Volvo Canadian Bury me in my Volvo Last Online: Oct 18th, 2017 23:16 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Calgary (again!)	I'm reading this and smiling - so much information from guys who have the hands-on knowledge. My two-bits are not to panic and just get 'er running. I'm guessing you just over-choked it, maybe things are a bit wet, that kind of thing. "these engines will start and run when they're virtually shot to bits, so long as there's fuel, air and electricity going in in roughly the right combinations." Priceless. __________________ James

Dec 18th, 2012, 11:54	#27
Volvo Canadian Bury me in my Volvo Last Online: Oct 18th, 2017 23:16 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Calgary (again!)	Hahah, I stopped watching it after awhile, but did you notice he was pumping the gas?? Might have started sooner. __________________ James

Dec 17th, 2012, 09:47	#21
940_Turbo . Last Online: Jul 14th, 2013 14:28 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: MK	I doubt it's the head gasket, unheard of pretty much on a B18/20

Dec 17th, 2012, 16:25	#23
superspod Member Last Online: Today 20:52 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: gloucs	so still waiting for teh battery charge however took off the top of the rocker cover and "mayonaise" everywhere. i changed the oil about 4 months ago and have done less than 30 miles which is worrying. i intend on changing the oil once it has been recharged so i can see the extent of the damage as well as see if new oil helps. i alos will try and get a new rocker cover gasket to see if thats the culprit. although it looked as though most of it was coming from the pipe attached to the manifold. when i took off the rocker cover the screws were all very loose with only 2 having washers and the gasket was a synthetic one from IPD which looked quite old and frayed. was unable to try any ignition things, however i will also now try and persuade my mum to get me a compression test kit. thanks again for all the help, cameron

Dec 18th, 2012, 11:41	#26
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Today 15:35 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	Sometimes you just need patience. Plenty more of these on YT. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C0JaratRuY

Dec 18th, 2012, 16:34	#28
superspod Member Last Online: Today 20:52 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: gloucs	thank you guys soooo much, charged up the battery and without the choke it wasnt starting, so i tried it with the choke off and it started after a while albeit the engine shaking a lot idling. what i noticed was how the radiator started warming up almost immediately- i think it might be the thermostat letting the cold coolant in almost immediately, so new thermostat is on the way. once it was warm it ran perfectly normal. i have got in contact with a local mechanic who can come round and do a hydrocarbon test with the radiator fluid an also hopefully have a look at what else it may be. it should be noted that when i first turned it on it seemed irregular. thank you so much, cameron

Dec 18th, 2012, 18:23	#29
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Today 15:35 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	Recheck that you have the plug leads in their correct positions. 1-3-4-2 anti clockwise, with #1 lead on the dizzy at about 11 o'clock.

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