Cold start

On starting my '89 Clipper Auto the a couple of days ago it fired up straight away but then stuggled to keep going for a few seconds with the revs steadily dropping and then stopped.  Tried again and it did the same.  Popped the bonnet and tried a third time and it started fine, going straight up to cold idle speed and sitting there fine and had no problems starting for the rest of the day.

Did the same thing for the next two days in a row.  If I give it a bit of gas after starting it struggles on for a for a while but still missing and doesn't pick up.

Can't be damp as weather's been roasting and it's kept in a garage.  Given the carb etc an eyeballing but can't see anything obviously wrong.   :dontknow:

Anyone got any ideas?

Cheers

Ian

Sounds like it could be a failing ignition componant, possibly dodgy HT leads. How old are the HTs, do they feel hard and brittle, got a spare set to try? When HTs start to go they struggle under starting and breakdown under load, this can be  most noticable on a cold start. Once the car has warmed the HTs often improve until you leave the car overnight again.

Assume it has an auto-choke?

Cheers

probably auto choke or carb set up, have you had a look at a plug' to see what mixtures like, always handy when you have auto-choke carb

Cheers for the tips,

Did it again this morning .  Will check the plugs tomorrow and swap the HT leads if the plugs look ok.

Ian

dont think it will be your ht leads if it runs ok when hot??, check one sparkplug tommorow when engines cold and giving you trouble, then keep it going until hot after a good run and check sparkplug again. the 2e2 carbs have a wax operated choke (bit like wax operated thermo-switches that bugger up also) if it runs ok when engines warm mate let us know what plug' is like when cold, good luck…….

Didn't have a chance to have a good look at it before returning to London, so will have to wait until I'm back in Bristol.  However by the way it fires up ok and then gets worse, accommpanied by the smell of unburnt fuel I think the choke might not be reducing once the engine actually starts??  Will give it a going over when I get a chance

Thanks for the advice

Ian