Hi – I have had my Merak out now a few times, but I’m finding it extremely difficult to start from cold.
Once it starts it runs really well, but starting it is an absolute pig!
I’ve read the handbook, and taken some advice, but nothing seems to work. The handbook says that from cold I should fully engage the choke, not touch the accelerator and just turn the key. That doesn’t work.
Other people tell me I should forget the choke altogether just pump the throttle a few times while turning the key. That usually doesn’t work either.
Sometimes it takes me 10 minutes to get it started – any advice anyone?
I can’t recall what carbs are on the Merek, but the Webers on my Indy like a bit of pumping to prime them before she’ll jump to life when cold. The choke cable doesn’t seem to make much difference, but a good couple of pumps will usually result in a successful cough and start. Every ‘old’ car I own and have owned has taken a while to learn the knack, often it’s not what the book says. One quick way to test that all other circuits are ok is to give it a quick blast of easy start down the air intake – it should fire off that quickly if it’s going to, once you know that ignition circuits are happy then it’s just trial and error learning how much and when it likes fuel when cold.
Thanks for the responses fellas. I think it is just a trial and error thing. Everything is shipshape because once it starts it runs and ticks over beautifully.
Like having a new woman. I just need to learn what it likes in a morning! These webers need to be coaxed into life.
Robert, I have an Indy with 4 twin-choke Webers and find that you need to let the fuel pump run for a while to charge up the float chambers etc. as the fuel evaporates quickly after a run when the engine is hot. I would suggest up to a minute as a good time. Then a couple of pumps on the throttle (two slow pumps but all the way) then try to catch it as they say!
Good luck – you will get the hang of it soon. Cheers – Keith
.
