NC30, starts fine, runs for 200 metres then conks out...

[Mr_Fen]

after sitting still cursing for 15mins it will start up and run fine as if nothing has happened. Only does it in the mornings on the way to work, on the way home it starts and runs fine.
I have replaced the battery and have it on a optimiser, no other electrical issues that i am aware of.

I think it might be flooding as the exhaust stinks of fuel, I don't use the choke (summer anyways) and it usually starts on the second press after spinning up on the first. It idles at around 1k-1.5k when started, once warm (and in the afternoon) it idles around 2k.

is it because the engine is not warmed up in the first 200m?
Should I adjust the idle speed or raise the choke lever a little bit to open the carbs up without adding fuel?

[CMSMJ1]

let it warm up a touch if you can. these old engines would love to get a bit of heat in them before you rev the nuts off it..

Mine is the same and it will not idle from cold. give it a couple of minutes and then we are jammin..but that is my carbs needing balancing and the choke fixing back onto it..lol

[Mr_Fen]

ok, this morning I let it warm up for a few minutes while I kitted up, I pulled the choke lever out a very small amount so it was idling at about 1.5-2k as opposed to a sickly 1k. Hopped on, put it in gear and went 'putt putt putt.......' only change from yesterday is I am now sat outside my house instead of 200m down the road

I had the optimiser on over night so its not that, have tested the electrics with a multimeter and they all seem to be doing what they should, no strange voltages or anything.

so, whats next? do the carbs need balancing like yours? I reckon it will start in the next 15mins and run as if nothing has happened.

[Mr_Fen]

forgot to mention yesterday it started after I bumped it down the road, and i have had to bump it before after this cut out thing.

[Mr_Fen]

ok just tried it again, no smell from exhaust to start with, turned over and just span as normal, didn't start. pulled choke out slightly and it started to bite, then went back to spinning. exhaust stinks of fuel so its getting in there, possibly spark plugs not working or getting wet/not firing?

[Mr_Fen]

result! just bumped it down the road in second gear, after 3 nothings it spluttered and sounded like it was firing. I had run out of hill by now so pulled over and thumbed the starter button, a few sickly turns later and it is purring like a tigger. Maybe it just likes a push every morning?

could it be air flow/supply?

[CMSMJ1]

Does your fuel tap work properly? Have you checked the vacuum pipe?

idle might be better turned up a touch to 1.5k to help keep it running..

Also...always good to get some new plugs in there..sounds like you have killed yours or at least wounded them badly!

[Mr_Fen]

Hi CMSMJ1,
I have upped the idle to just under 2k and its ticking over quite happily, not had the problem since. Blew some compressed air down the breather tube but nothing came out the bottom, must just be the idle set too low.

thanks for your assistance!

[Mr_Fen]

ran fine over the weekend then did it again this morning, once it is running it is idling at 2k which is suppose is an improvement.

my father-in-law (a car mechanic) suggested it may be a weak spark due to old spark plugs or spark plug cables?

which would be cheaper to replace and is there anyone on here that gets em for a good price?

[CMSMJ1]

Spark plugs from Graeme France - he has a post in the sale section and they are as cheap as chips (for the plugs!)

ER9EH are the ones you want..