When started every 2-3 days, starts easily, but after sitting for a week, won't start unless starting fluid is sprayed into carb. What needs fixing? Thx, tomc5

 

Hard to say without more information. First question I would ask, is the choke adjusted properly? That assumes that the carb is getting fuel and the engine has spark. After a week, the fuel in the carb bowl probably has evaporated, but if you set the choke and crank, it should start, if the choke is correct. A common mistake is when it doesn't immediately start, the person continually pumps the accelerator pedal, which usually floods the engine.

 

We need a bit of trouble shooting on your part. When it doesn't start, take the air cleaner top off, operate the throttle while looking down into the carb, and see if it sprays 2 solid streams of fuel.

 

I'm not sure that anything needs fixing as this may be typical operation. As brown7373 posted, fuel will evaporate out of the carb bowl over time, and this will prevent an immediate startup.

 

All of my quadrajets have been the same. Rebuilt, epoxied, properly adjusted choke.

Drive the car once a week or so. Always need to set choke, and crank for a few seconds, stop, crank for a few more seconds before it fires and runs fine.

How long have you cranked it before spraying starting fluid. That stuff scares me.....

Also as mentioned above, are you pumping the pedal during this time?

 

My 72 needs to be primed after sitting for a week due to the ethanol gas evaporating from the fuel bowl quicker and some bad/cracked fuel lines, again due to 10-15% ethanol in the gas. Takes a few prime's to for the pump to get the lines full again..oh and my carb just came back from Sparky so I know that's not an issue! Just gotta finish those hard to get to original 72 rubber lines

 

I just read my 72 Olds and 70 Pontiac operators manuals on how to start an engine. Both say on a cold engine, press the accelerator to the floor and slowly release, and (in bold print) with your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the key until the engine starts. If it fails to start or continue running, repeat the procedure. On a very cold engine (0 degrees or less) or one that hasn't been started in several days, fully depress the pedal 2 or 3 times, and then turn the key. No where does it say pump the pedal. I wish I had a dollar for every time I see someone driving an older car, pumping the pedal. Maybe that works with no choke.


Tom5, what carb do you have? The procedure is still the same. And the carb needs to be in good operating condition and the fuel lines should be sound.