Cold Starting Issue

Hi folks,

I'm after a bit of advice if anyone can help…?

I have an issue when starting my Carb'd Clipper from cold.

It'll take a fair few turns of the key to get the engine to fire and run…

The first few turns she'll crank but not fire.
A few more turns she'll begin to fire, and then die almost instantly.
A couple more turns and she'll fire, run and I'll give it a bit of gas and then she'll die again.
This will go on for a bit until eventually the engine will fire, run on the choke for a short while and idle down nicely.

Sounds like a long period of time but in all honesty it's probably no more than five minutes before she's ticking over.

I have replaced the filler neck which had corroded into the tank.
I syphoned off the old fuel and disposed of it. Cleaned out what flakes of rust I could see from inside of the sender unit hole.
Disconnected the fuel lines from both front and rear of the car and blew out the lines and hoses with an air line. Also did this to the sender unit pickup and return tubes.
I have a new Fuel Pump and Vapour Separator waiting to go on along with new fuel hoses for the engine bay. Although, I'm reluctant to fit that little lot until I'm happy that she runs properly.

Could the old fuel pump and vapour separator be causing the cold start issue or am I barking up the wrong tree?

i would put those new bits on just to see, along with a new fuel filter (check inside for rust)

if its the original 2e2 carb have a read thru:
http://www.vwgolfmk2.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=14917

Brilliant! Thanks John.

I have been driving her around without any issues so far. (Touching wood) as I write this.

Prior to the filler neck being replaced, I'd be driving around and flakes of rust were being sucked up against the sender unit and was getting through fuel filters in no time at all.

Fuel filter seems pretty clean considering this is the first filter since the new neck was fitted.

Just have the cold start issue. Will replace the engine bay fuel hoses, pump and vapour separator and go from there.

Thanks for your help mate.

be sure to look on the inside of the filter, as they can look nice from the outside but if you open em up all black n grotty

Thanks matey.

I'll have a gander at the weekend.
Yep, the filter looks spotless from the outside and no crud lying on the bottom but as you say… Could be stuffed on the inside.
Got a few spares so will replace as a matter of course with the new hoses.

I did have a thought about buying a couple of those Neodymium magnets off fleabay and attaching them to the underside of the fuel tank in an attempt to attract any larger fragments that may still be lurking around.

Have you had any experience of doing this or is it a pointless exercise?

do you still have the cold start problems?
which carb is on the engine?

one tip is to put a magnet on a piece of string, drop it in tank for a few days then pull it out and clean off, repeat till there is no more rust. doesnt help with general dirt and crud mind

http://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=how-to_2%2Ffuel-tank-cleaning_3

jaaquo said

do you still have the cold start problems?
which carb is on the engine?

Hi mate,

yes, still have the issue. Although, I haven't changed the fuel pump or vapour separator yet.

The carb is a Pierburg 2e2.

rubjonny said

one tip is to put a magnet on a piece of string, drop it in tank for a few days then pull it out and clean off, repeat till there is no more rust. doesnt help with general dirt and crud mind

http://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=how-to_2%2Ffuel-tank-cleaning_3

Cheers John. Haven't had chance to do it this weekend. We're getting hitched in four weeks and time is disappearing quick. Gotta get my finger out. We're using the car to get the other half and her dad to the church.