Amazon: - New owner with a strange starting problem.

toad_overload · Dec 13th, 2008, 16:54

Hi this is my first post. I've recently bought a 1967 121.

She's been fine for the last fortnight, runs really well and had no problems on the motorway or around town. I had a smile on my face all the way down the M1!

But today I took her to the BP garage in the rain and she refused to start after I filled up.

I got her towed home as the recovery firm couldn't get her to start. The engine turns over, the fuel pump is working as are all the sparks. But she just refuses to fire up. The engine has a single Stromberg carb with the frying pan air filter.

The breakdown man reckoned it was a problem with lack of compression? I'm taking her to the garage on monday so hopefully a compression test will give some answers.

I blame the rain but someone else may have a better answer.

Ron Kwas · Dec 13th, 2008, 17:36

to;

Welcome to the Forum!

Difficulty starting after a fill-up sounds like start-after-hot-soak issue...in which case you must use the hot-start-procedure, which is full throttle, no choke, crank until it "catches", then release and modulate throttle to let it idle...this is right out of the owners manual...maybe more typical of the twin SU equipped engines, but I expect also somewhat of the ZS becarbed engines...

..."lack of compression" sounds like the diagnosis of someone who is trying to sell you an engine rebuild...after all, you drove the car to the filling station....

Cheers from New England!

Alf ista · Dec 13th, 2008, 18:31

Goodness, I hope you didnt put in diesel...............

toad_overload · Dec 13th, 2008, 18:37

Ha ha, good idea, read the manual!
I don't think it's a seal anywhere as there would have been signs, surely?

Hmmm just tried again using the above, no luck.

Just dug out the owners manual and along with the haynes advice I removed all the plugs and ran the starter to blow any moisture out of the, ahem, housing? I did this and wiped the plugs but no luck. Though the battery looks pretty cheap and may need a decent charge tonight.

I'll try again tomorrow if the rain stops. It's frustrating but I'm sure it's something really simple........

Braydon's is really close to my house if all else fails.

toad_overload · Dec 13th, 2008, 18:40

Ha ha, oh god no, don't even go there with the diesel!

I drive diesels at work so there's always room for confusion, definitely unleaded though, I hope....

Alf ista · Dec 13th, 2008, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by toad_overload

Ha ha, oh god no, don't even go there with the diesel!

I drive diesels at work so there's always room for confusion, definitely unleaded though, I hope....

Yeah, I drive diesels at work too and I know how easy it is. I got ya thinkin now though havent I...lol

Welcome to the forum by the way. Hugh.

toad_overload · Dec 13th, 2008, 19:03

Thanks for the welcome, I probably won't sleep tonight!

Alf ista · Dec 13th, 2008, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by toad_overload

Thanks for the welcome, I probably won't sleep tonight!

Oops, sorry. Anyway, dont worry, it'll get sorted, these things always do. Happy Amazoning

222s · Dec 13th, 2008, 23:21

Sounds strange! Has it had problems starting before? If so, could be the points / rotor arm / condenser / leads etc or combination of all of them. An ignition system that produces a poor spark in the combustion chamber can appear ok in fresh air.

If you've ruled out all mechanical issues, then probably worth replacing all the service parts in the ignition system, as it's so often a combination of small faults in each component, and it's easier to do everything in one go.

austingipsy · Dec 14th, 2008, 01:26

Probably just the battery needing a good over night charge, If you've had the wipers going full tilt and maybe the headlights. Was it all motorway driving or were you stuck in town traffic for a while. Dynamo might not be charging too well.
When you've charged the battery if it still won't start, take off the air filter chuck some petrol into the mouth of carb and, like Ron says, no choke and give it a spin. If it doesn't at least cough then something electrical maybe. How did you check for a spark? low tension lead maybe a bit iffy. Did you try bump starting?
Never happens on a nice dry day does it, still at least you were in range of some munchies so at least it's not totally disgraced itself. Maybe it's like herbie and trying to tell you something, like there's another amazon behind the petrol station needing rescued.

Ah, car psychology ,it's a black art. best of luck !

Dec 13th, 2008, 16:54	#1
toad_overload Junior Member Last Online: Sep 5th, 2023 19:18 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glastonbury	New owner with a strange starting problem. Hi this is my first post. I've recently bought a 1967 121. She's been fine for the last fortnight, runs really well and had no problems on the motorway or around town. I had a smile on my face all the way down the M1! But today I took her to the BP garage in the rain and she refused to start after I filled up. I got her towed home as the recovery firm couldn't get her to start. The engine turns over, the fuel pump is working as are all the sparks. But she just refuses to fire up. The engine has a single Stromberg carb with the frying pan air filter. The breakdown man reckoned it was a problem with lack of compression? I'm taking her to the garage on monday so hopefully a compression test will give some answers. I blame the rain but someone else may have a better answer.

Dec 13th, 2008, 17:36	#2
Ron Kwas Premier Member Last Online: Today 18:05 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Connecticut, USA	Typical hot soak symptoms! to; Welcome to the Forum! Difficulty starting after a fill-up sounds like start-after-hot-soak issue...in which case you must use the hot-start-procedure, which is full throttle, no choke, crank until it "catches", then release and modulate throttle to let it idle...this is right out of the owners manual...maybe more typical of the twin SU equipped engines, but I expect also somewhat of the ZS becarbed engines... ..."lack of compression" sounds like the diagnosis of someone who is trying to sell you an engine rebuild...after all, you drove the car to the filling station.... Cheers from New England!

Dec 13th, 2008, 18:31	#3
Alf ista Premier Member Last Online: May 7th, 2024 10:28 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Co. Cork, Ireland.	Goodness, I hope you didnt put in diesel............... __________________ 1970 Volvo Amazon 131 with a B20A and an M40.

Dec 13th, 2008, 23:21	#9
222s Amazoniste Last Online: Sep 19th, 2016 21:52 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Emsworth View Photos By: 222s	Sounds strange! Has it had problems starting before? If so, could be the points / rotor arm / condenser / leads etc or combination of all of them. An ignition system that produces a poor spark in the combustion chamber can appear ok in fresh air. If you've ruled out all mechanical issues, then probably worth replacing all the service parts in the ignition system, as it's so often a combination of small faults in each component, and it's easier to do everything in one go. __________________ Paul - 1967 Amazon 222S B20 o/d Estate & 1961 A-H Sprite Mk2 948cc WANTED - For '67 Amazon estate - offside rear quarter, preferably new old stock.

Dec 13th, 2008, 18:37	#4
toad_overload Junior Member Last Online: Sep 5th, 2023 19:18 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glastonbury	Ha ha, good idea, read the manual! I don't think it's a seal anywhere as there would have been signs, surely? Hmmm just tried again using the above, no luck. Just dug out the owners manual and along with the haynes advice I removed all the plugs and ran the starter to blow any moisture out of the, ahem, housing? I did this and wiped the plugs but no luck. Though the battery looks pretty cheap and may need a decent charge tonight. I'll try again tomorrow if the rain stops. It's frustrating but I'm sure it's something really simple........ Braydon's is really close to my house if all else fails.

Dec 13th, 2008, 18:40	#5
toad_overload Junior Member Last Online: Sep 5th, 2023 19:18 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glastonbury	Ha ha, oh god no, don't even go there with the diesel! I drive diesels at work so there's always room for confusion, definitely unleaded though, I hope....

Dec 13th, 2008, 19:03	#7
toad_overload Junior Member Last Online: Sep 5th, 2023 19:18 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glastonbury	Thanks for the welcome, I probably won't sleep tonight!

Dec 14th, 2008, 01:26	#10
austingipsy Senior Member Last Online: Mar 13th, 2019 22:59 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Invergowrie	Probably just the battery needing a good over night charge, If you've had the wipers going full tilt and maybe the headlights. Was it all motorway driving or were you stuck in town traffic for a while. Dynamo might not be charging too well. When you've charged the battery if it still won't start, take off the air filter chuck some petrol into the mouth of carb and, like Ron says, no choke and give it a spin. If it doesn't at least cough then something electrical maybe. How did you check for a spark? low tension lead maybe a bit iffy. Did you try bump starting? Never happens on a nice dry day does it, still at least you were in range of some munchies so at least it's not totally disgraced itself. Maybe it's like herbie and trying to tell you something, like there's another amazon behind the petrol station needing rescued. Ah, car psychology ,it's a black art. best of luck !

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