Long cranking before starting

[EarlyElway]

I've spent a lot of time attempting to start my bronco after extended periods of not driving it. Many times I will nearly drain the battery attempting to start it. This happens in warm, normal conditions but is more typical in cold weather.

I have it garaged so it is probably more than 40+ degrees in my garage and I could not get it to start or even turn over yesterday even with the help of some starting fluid (which usually does the trick).

I'm getting frustrated and am afraid to drive it in colder weather because I don't want to get stranded. What can I do?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[70_Steve]

I've spent a lot of time attempting to start my bronco after extended periods of not driving it. Many times I will nearly drain the battery attempting to start it. This happens in warm, normal conditions but is more typical in cold weather.

I have it garaged so it is probably more than 40+ degrees in my garage and I could not get it to start or even turn over yesterday even with the help of some starting fluid (which usually does the trick).

I'm getting frustrated and am afraid to drive it in colder weather because I don't want to get stranded. What can I do?

Thanks,

Matt

HI matt and welcome to Classic Broncos.com.

One problem with starting a carbed engine after sitting for a while is that the fuel will evaporate from the fuel bowl. The new gas formulations have a lower vapor pressure, and will evaporate more easily than 20 years ago.

Second is to check the operation of the choke. If it starts with starting fluid then it's not getting enough fuel. After the engine cranks long enough to fill the fuel bowl, the choke has to work to richen up the mixture so it will light off.

I put an electric fuel pump in, (Carter 4070) to help avoid vapor lock, but it came in handy to refill the fuel bowl. Had a pushbutton switch on the dash to turn the fuel pump on with the key ON.

 

[Bronco Junkie]

X2 on what Steve said. I take it this only happens on the first start? How is it after it is warmed up and driven?

 

[xcntrk]

How's your ignition? Do you still have points? The 2 best upgrades or improvements I've made that fix cold-starts is proper choke (electric) and electronic ignition.

I agree that fuel will evaporate out of the carb, but it shouldn't take but a couple seconds to replenish with cranking. If you're wasting an entire battery of juice on constant cranking, chances are it's not a lack of fuel issue..

 

[patterdale]

Sounds like a combination of issues. Fuel evaporating from the float bowl and a struggle to get fuel there either from gunk in the lines from the tank(s), plugged filter, or weak pump. Could also be crap in the carb. Pull the coil wire and the line at the carb. Turn it over and see how much fuel is being pumped. It's a concept I struggle to get my wife to understand. Machines are made to be used. If they sit around they still deteriorate if not at an even faster rate than if they are used regularly.

 

[dave67fd]

If you have the same battery from all the extended cranking and sitting and vise-versa your battery maybe a part of the problem...A weeker than normal battery only adds to your difficult starting.

 

[jckkys]

The empty fuel bowls are to be expected when a carbureted vehicle sits for even a few days or over night in hot dry weather. If you partially depress the accelerator to allow the automatic choke to close and deliver a shot gas, it should start right away. Use this technique the next morning after diving the Bronco in the evening. If it starts then but won't start after sitting a week, things are as they should be. You can't fix what isn't broken.

 

[broncnaz]

Welcome
X2 on jokkys post doesnt really sound like theres any major issue here. If it was happening daily then it would be a issue but when you let it set a long time well its kind of expected. If you drove it more often then you probably wouldnt have the issue.

But there may be several small things you can do to improve starting. 1 make sure you have the correct heat range of spark plugs and make sure they are not fouled. 2. you might want to clean up the carb especailly if its a stock 2v carb. that extended sitting can cause varnish build up and I've seen several stock carbs that had issues with the accelerator pump not working due to being gummed up. If you dont get that shot of fuel in a engine that has been sitting its not going to start. 3 check timing and if you have points check the gap. 4 you can always prime the carb get a small bottle and fill with gas then pour the gas down the carb vents so you get some gas in the fuel bowl that way you will have some fuel in the bowl when you first start cranking.