Cold starting problem?

[mark7]

Hi all, since owning my mk1 Cooper i've always struggled to suss out an easy way to get it started from cold.
If its not used for a couple of weeks when i attempt to start it it can take 7-8 turns before it fires and then when warm it runs fine and restarts on the button.
I've serviced and checked the ignition side and the car was recently setup on the rolling road and the cars kept in a dry garage with the battery on charge.
Maybe i'm expecting too much or not using the choke correctly (is there a correct way) ?
Any ideas appreciated, thanks Mark.

[dhenry]

Any of the classic cars I have owned even in top shape have taken a few turns to start if left sitting for a couple of weeks. My mini starts on the button every morning if I use it everyday but even if I let it sit over the weekend it will take a few turns. Just my experiences though.

[InimiaD]

My MK2 is very much the same especially when It's been sleeping for a couple of weeks.
Just one of those things that afflict the older classic.
Try checking the choke mechanism works as it should and is set correctly if you haven't already done so..

[COOPERCO]

Hi Mark,

We never had any problems with it. I did notice at the Goodwood breakfast club last year when you started the car to leave it looked to be running quite rich! Do you know what was changed on the rolling road?

Mike.

[mark7]

Hi Mike, just checked Steve(Harris) invoice it shows NGK B7ECS plugs and AN fixed needles.
Funnily he mentioned it was running very rich before tuning

Cheers Mark

[COOPERCO]

Hi Mark,

Is the car still fitted with the 7 spark plugs? If so it could be worth going to the same plug but a 6 until the weather warms up properly.

Mike.

[mark7]

Thanks Mike i'll give the plug change a go and see if it improves.
Generally should i be using full choke on a cold start as it seems a bit hit or miss before it floods?

Cheers Mark.

[COOPERCO]

Hi,

Always started it on a good 'handfull' of choke. As soon as it started, pushed the choke back in until the the engine note 'smoothed' out. Then pushed the choke right of as soon as the engine would run without it. If you start from cold & drive straight off you should be able to push the choke right off once you're under way (unless you get caught at a junction!).

Mike.

(it may have been rich on the rollers, we never did try it. But it always ticked over & started ok without any 'rich' symptoms)

[andy1071]

I agree with the "good handfull of choke" setting, then in to a fast idle setting. I've always found that a bit of choke, even when the engine is warm, helps to start. Then in immediately.

Don't know if it's just me , but I've never been too happy with NGK plugs in A series engines. They work great for the first few thousand miles, then seem to 'go off' and cause reluctant starting.... I find Champion are not quite as good as the NGKs when new, but they stay like that forever...
I tend to use Bosch or Champion, and keep NGKs for modern engines.