Normal?

[Tim]

When the engine's cold, I have to pump the gas a few times before it'll start and stay running when you let up the clutch. After the engine's hot and I go to start it, I usually press the gas once and that makes it start right up when I turn the key. I was told this is normal for carburetted cars. Is the case? I thought that most cars didn't require anything more than turning the key.


BTW - sometimes, if the engine is cold and I take off, the engine will/almost will die and the car will lurch, sometimes screeching the tires. Usually it only does this once and then will run fine. Does this harm the engine?


Regards,

Tim.

[hellraiser6919]

perfectly normal for carbed cars. its better to let them warm up before you go.

[QuasiMofo]

Mine is dead on the same... 3 pumps, hit key, idles high for 3 mins and drops right down.

[FestivaBiker1971]

not tryin' to be smart, Tim, but how old are you? I remember when EFI was voodoo/black magic only talked in Popular Science as a research project by most manufacturers. I also remember the first time I opened the hood of an EFI vehicle and thought, 'holy crap, look at all those wires!' Now I struggle to remember how to set up a carb, and modern diagnostics are almost boring. So, to answer your question, yes, its normal.

[FestivaBiker1971]

by the way, back in the 70's, Ford and GM had a fix for your stalling/ hesitation problem. A lamp that said "Cold Engine". You weren't supposed to drive until that lamp went out. It was a temp switch that turned off at 160deg. Go figure.

[Tim]

I'm 17½, and a senior in high school. This is my first car, so stuff like this is unfamiliar to me. I got to learn somehow... :-)

I'm glad that I'm not destroying my car when I start it.


Regards,

Tim

not tryin' to be smart, Tim, but how old are you? I remember when EFI was voodoo/black magic only talked in Popular Science as a research project by most manufacturers. I also remember the first time I opened the hood of an EFI vehicle and thought, 'holy crap, look at all those wires!' Now I struggle to remember how to set up a carb, and modern diagnostics are almost boring. So, to answer your question, yes, its normal.

[FestivaBiker1971]

hey, no sweat Tim. I wasn't bustin' on ya, just curious how old you were. And absolutely ask questions like that. None of us were born experts (some of us still aren't =)), and we only learned by asking the same questions. Keep 'em comin', Timmy-boy!

[Tim]

Not a problem! For more on me, see the thread called "introduce yourself" or something.


Regards,


Tim