Hi all, I recently got this 23 years old 120L, it runs fine, except for the cold start.

I completely removed airfilter, carburator, took it apart, cleaned every bit of it.

The problem is starting cold. With choke on, I have to keep pumping the gaspedal like crazy until it decides to start. Once, warm, is it fine.

Some told me it could be the chocke valve, but I see no problem with it, of course, i may be missing something simple.

If anyone has a tip, I'd be glad to hear it.

Marc

Edited 26 June, 200916 yr by Flopper

sand in the carb???:lol:

:)First thing to do is check the ignition system....spark plugs, HT leads, distributor cap, rotor arm, coil, points, condensor and ignition timing.

Tight valve clearances will cause poor cold starting too.

Thanks for the reply.

All electrical stuff is 100% OK, I am sure it is carburetor (or at least fuel system) related.

I can pump fuel manually at the bottom of the engine, no deal, choke all open, no deal, it really only starts when pumping the gas pedal as fast as I can. Like I said, once started, runs fine, starts fine, just not the first time. I looked in whatever manual I could find, but none describe this specific issue.

But, about the valve (inside the carburetor) how do I know what is 'too' thight?

http://i44.tinypic.com/1z1e2o1.jpg

Flopper, before starting the car from cold, press the accelerator pedal twice to the floor and let it go, push the cluch in, pull the choke full on and turn the key. If the car does not start within 5 seconds, stop. I find that it is very easy to flood a Skoda engine - and then they are very hard to start. If you still have starting problems, look to the ignition and valves as Dave says. Also the carbrettor can be damaged by overtightening of the air filter or base bolts - then the carburettor needs replacemet parts.

Oh, just to add - when you took the carburettor apart, you did remember to refit the little glass ballbearing down it's hole?

TH

How you'd go about sourcing one these days I don't know (even without the geographic problem), but Weber used to do a straight replacement for the Jikov.

Flopper, before starting the car from cold, press the accelerator pedal twice to the floor and let it go, push the cluch in, pull the choke full on and turn the key. If the car does not start within 5 seconds, stop. I find that it is very easy to flood a Skoda engine - and then they are very hard to start. If you still have starting problems, look to the ignition and valves as Dave says. Also the carbrettor can be damaged by overtightening of the air filter or base bolts - then the carburettor needs replacemet parts.

Oh, just to add - when you took the carburettor apart, you did remember to refit the little glass ballbearing down it's hole?

TH

I will have that a go tomorrow, and yes, the carberator is complete, the issue was already there before I took it apart (hoping it would solve the problem).

So, as I am sure I am not flooding it, I will try the other trick to see what happens.

Well, that did not work, grrr.

I got it started, but only after pumping like mad again, with choke on, for about 1 minute. After half a minute or so, choke off and it spins smoothly. Let it run for about another 5 minutes and after that I can start 'normally' as many time as I want. Need to charge to battery again now, lol.

I am going to ask a friend over, as explaining the exact circumstances here is a bit difficult and maybe confusing and not clear.

Flopper, just add something. There is a fuel priming handle situated on the fuel pump. This fills the carburettor with fuel ready to go into the engine. I have found that if the car has stood for more than one day this needs to be operated. Pump it up and down until it goes slack :P and then your carb is ready to put fuel into the engine. Worth a try - I use mine all the time.

Flopper, just add something. There is a fuel priming handle situated on the fuel pump. This fills the carburettor with fuel ready to go into the engine. I have found that if the car has stood for more than one day this needs to be operated. Pump it up and down until it goes slack :P and then your carb is ready to put fuel into the engine. Worth a try - I use mine all the time.

Thanks, but I knew that, and even with that manual filling it simply does not start.

When I have the air filter off, I can see that everything works as it should, fuel coming in etc. but it just does not start when cold, this really got me puzzled.

I wonder, is the choke actually working correctly?

Yes, it is.

Really, every part moves as it should, everything is clean, fuel sprays out when you pump etc.

It is a mystery ... lol

I would go for the choke not working correctly. I take it that this carb does not have flaps and operates an extra jet/drilling a bit like a weber DCOE or should it have flaps? Sounds like it is not providing enough fuel to air to me. You need more fuel or less air.

I am convinced it is a choke problem, but it 'looks' as it is doing it all right, difficult to explain, (and I am no car tecnician)

Pic of carb -> http://i44.tinypic.com/1z1e2o1.jpg