Q-jet starting issues

[Lyndon S.]

I had my Q-jet completely went through re color the whole nine yards. Yet I still have starting issues, I have to pump the accelerator to get it to crank. Even if I start it every day I still have to pump it some. The gas where I live is all got about 10% ethanol in it now, could that be the problem? It has all new fuel pump also on it. Seems like someone said that is the way it is now with the fuel we have, that we should get used to having to be pumped and turned over a few times before it will now crank. Is that the experiences of most people with carburetors are now?
Once it cranks, I get a fast idle then the after it warms, the choke works like it should, it is that I just need to pump in order for it to crank. And when I first set the choke it gives it a shot of gas, but it will not crank with out pumping.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Q-jet starting issues

I had my Q-jet completely went through re color the whole nine yards. Yet I still have starting issues, I have to pump the accelerator to get it to crank. Even if I start it every day I still have to pump it some. The gas where I live is all got about 10% ethanol in it now, could that be the problem? It has all new fuel pump also on it. Seems like someone said that is the way it is now with the fuel we have, that we should get used to having to be pumped and turned over a few times before it will now crank. Is that the experiences of most people with carburetors are now?
Once it cranks, I get a fast idle then the after it warms, the choke works like it should, it is that I just need to pump in order for it to crank. And when I first set the choke it gives it a shot of gas, but it will not crank with out pumping.

This is normal.

You can try to get a carb filter with a valve in it (check Archives for this one) to see if it helps drain-back, but we're so used to new cars that we forget the old ones took a bit of effort.
I have only one old car that starts immediately.

[Lyndon S.]

Re: Q-jet starting issues

I suppose, in 2000 I bought a new Harley it still had a carburetor on it with a pull out choke. This past July I got a new 2011 super glide custom , and now of course they all come with electronic fuel injection now. Just hit the starter an off we go. A man could get spoiled with all these new fangled motors with injection now.

[Edward J.]

Re: Q-jet starting issues

Lyndon, By depressing the accelerator a few times this sets the choke and the gives the engine a little extra shot of fuel needed to help with a cold start. sometimes you may find it may need more than one or two pumps to help a cold start. (As Patrick say normal)

A few checks for cold start issues, Check to make sure that when you depress accel. pedal to floor a few times ,take a look at the choke butterfly to make sure that its completly closed. and a quick check to be sure the accelerator pump is giving a shot of gas when you work the throttle, just look into the carburator thoat.Once the car is started it should be on fast idle generally 1500 RPMS or slightly higher. the choke butterfly then opens slightly because of the vaccum break assy. and keeps engine from loading up with to much fuel.

[Alan S.]

Re: Q-jet starting issues

Hi Lyndon,
The 71 Owner's Manual's starting instructions say to pump the accelerator pedal 2 or 3 times before cranking the engine IF the temperatrure is extremely cold or IF the car has been standing idle several days.
I've found that I have success with 4 pumps and then about a 10 second wait, (just about long enough to reset the clock), before turning the key to the start position.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

[Clem Z.]

Re: Q-jet starting issues

make sure the choke is closing all the way when the engine is cold. the choke has to closed all the way so the engine vacuum when cranking will pull fuel from the float bowl thru the booster nozzles.

[Russ S.]

Re: Q-jet starting issues

This is normal.

You can try to get a carb filter with a valve in it (check Archives for this one) to see if it helps drain-back, but we're so used to new cars that we forget the old ones took a bit of effort.
I have only one old car that starts immediately.

If this is normal then why in an ops, can you only press the accelerator one time and then start the engine without touching the gas pedal again? If the engine quits it is a failure?

[Thomas H.]

Re: Q-jet starting issues

Lyndon,

I have three different starting methods for my LS5 (with factory Qjet).

If it has sat for more then a week or so, I crank it for about 5 seconds, stop, pump the pedal about 5 times then crank again and it fires right up.

If it had run recently, just 2 or 3 pumps of the pedal then crank and it fires right up.

If it is warm, it will fire right up without any pedal pumping.

On the flip side, my 60 will fire right up with 1 pump of the pedal prior to cranking. I crack up at how easy that car starts, it just wants to get out and run..........

Tom

[Don L.]

Re: Q-jet starting issues

[QUOTE=Thomas Hoyer (44463);595643]Lyndon,

I have three different starting methods for my LS5 (with factory Qjet).

If it has sat for more then a week or so, I crank it for about 5 seconds, stop, pump the pedal about 5 times then crank again and it fires right up.

If it had run recently, just 2 or 3 pumps of the pedal then crank and it fires right up.

If it is warm, it will fire right up without any pedal pumping.


Tom, my '72 small block must be your twin! EXACTLY the same process works for me. Hell, my John Deere starts easier than these old cars

[Terry M.]

Re: Q-jet starting issues

If this is normal then why in an ops, can you only press the accelerator one time and then start the engine without touching the gas pedal again? If the engine quits it is a failure?

Whose Operations check? That person doing the cold start test needs to be counseled by the National Team Leader. I used to have to do that all too often, especially at Chapter meets, but sometimes at Regionals as well. It required maximum diplomacy not to leave the person pissed off, but sometimes brute force was required and I had to leave someone else to pick up the wreckage. Can you tell I have little sympathy for know-it-alls who are absorbed with their own power?

Edit add: What happened to the concept that we are supposed to be helping fellow club members learn more about their car and achieve the award the car deserves? Instead we play childish games of "gotch ya."

[Lyndon S.]

Re: Q-jet starting issues

I bet that was interesting using brute force to say the least.
And I thought you was just a big old teddy bear

[Terry M.]

Re: Q-jet starting issues

I bet that was interesting using brute force to say the least.
And I thought you was just a big old teddy bear

You haven't yet seen me POed; and you don't want to.

[Jim T.]

Re: Q-jet starting issues

I have not used QJets on my 68 and 70 since 1974 when I installed Holley spread bores on them. If started every day like you mentioned, all it takes is one depression of the gas pedal to set the choke and they start up immediately. My gas is blended with ethanol as well. Reason I changed to Holley spread bores is the leaking of the QJets which would drain the fuel from the fuel bowl and when trying to start the fuel pump would have to refill the fuel bowl in the QJet's. The Holley's have sure made it easier on my starters. If I have not driven the 68 or 70 for several days and knowing how gasoline evaporates I use a syringe and put fresh fuel into the Holley's fuel bowl through the big fuel bowl vent, they start quickly in doing this.

[Lyndon S.]

Re: Q-jet starting issues

I love the sound of a big old Q-jet when one stomps on it, music to my ears. I remember when I had a old 71 Camaro that my brother had bought new that had a 350 with a two barrel carb on it. I would turn over the stock air cleaner lid and give it that big Q-jet sound. Those were the days.

[Russ S.]

Re: Q-jet starting issues

Whose Operations check? That person doing the cold start test needs to be counseled by the National Team Leader. I used to have to do that all too often, especially at Chapter meets, but sometimes at Regionals as well. It required maximum diplomacy not to leave the person pissed off, but sometimes brute force was required and I had to leave someone else to pick up the wreckage. Can you tell I have little sympathy for know-it-alls who are absorbed with their own power?

Edit add: What happened to the concept that we are supposed to be helping fellow club members learn more about their car and achieve the award the car deserves? Instead we play childish games of "gotch ya."

Terry, If I interpret you correctly you are saying that it isn't a ops failure if the engine quits and has to be re-started?