Re-starting problem

[SteveS]

My D REg GTL (Florence) has developed a strange problem that has me stumped. Any advice would be much appreciated. This is my first ever post on any forums so apologies if i get anything wrong...

The car starts easily and runs well. If I stop the car after 10-15 minutes then try to restart it, it will not restart. It turns over strongly but it never fires. If I try and restart after 30 mins or an hour i get the same - strong cranking but no firing. Leave for 90 minutes and she fires into life as if nothing was wrong.

I don't think this is the old 'hot start problem' that's exacerbated by modern fuels as the bulb on the carb - on these short runs - is only touch hot. (I could not re-start yesterday - 13C in Dorset after 10 minute run so it not 'desert' conditions!).

I have electric ignition and - after the mechanical fuel pump grew to weak and i could not source a replacement - i have an electric fuel pump.

Many thanks in anticipation for any pointers....

Steve

 

[André4Renaults]

When you say the car has "electric ignition" do you mean you've fitted an electronic ignition system? If you haven't, and the car still has the conventional ignition system, with points, it might be worth fitting a new capacitor. The symptoms you describe mirror a "dying" capacitor, which works reasonably well when cold but as it warms up the insulation inside the capacitor breaks down and it fails, preventing the car from re-starting when hot. It's often over-looked when diagnosing a car with difficult starting, and it's an easy part to change.

I'd need to know what type of electronic ignition system you've fitted before suggesting where, if any, the fault may lie therein.

 

[Richnd1974]

Have you checked the spark when it's failing to start? My thoughts are maybe the coil is at fault

 

[Richnd1974]

Where is home I'm in New Milton so might not be that far from you

 

[SteveS]

When you say the car has "electric ignition" do you mean you've fitted an electronic ignition system? If you haven't, and the car still has the conventional ignition system, with points, it might be worth fitting a new capacitor. The symptoms you describe mirror a "dying" capacitor, which works reasonably well when cold but as it warms up the insulation inside the capacitor breaks down and it fails, preventing the car from re-starting when hot. It's often over-looked when diagnosing a car with difficult starting, and it's an easy part to change.

I'd need to know what type of electronic ignition system you've fitted before suggesting where, if any, the fault may lie therein.

Many apologies for starting this thread then not responding sooner. I fitted an electronic ignition system from Aldon Auto in 2023 - i also took the opportunity to upgrade the coil. Here's the bits i added:

Code	Product
EP141	EP141 - Ducellier - 4 Cylinder
40501	40501 - 4/6 Cylinder - Road -3ohm - Chrome

 

[SteveS]

Have you checked the spark when it's failing to start? My thoughts are maybe the coil is at fault

Many apologies too for starting the thread then not returning to it. I'll re-create the problem then look at the spark - id been assuming it was a fuel problem until recently - then report back on the forum. New Milton is not far away - I'm close to Dorchester....