Rough cold running

[Dolomite16V]

My Dolly 1300 runs very badly first thing in the morning when it's running on choke, this continues until the engine has a bit of warmth in it. It coughs and splutters and sounds like it's running on three cylinders - if I get to a junction while it still needs choke it always cuts out. There appears to be the correct amount of free-about 3mm in the choke cable before it engages too. Really odd as when cold and on choke but accelerating it pulls well. Once warmed up it runs really well and never offers to stall at junctions. The mixture is okay - I got the garage to check the CO levels which were fine. I also checked the mixture at the carb' with the lifting pin and the revs rose very slightly as you would expect with the correct fuelling. I am only getting about 30mpg on a mixed run which I didn't think was too good - I tried leaning it off another flat but the revs dropped with the lifting pin and it felt weak at the top end of the revs. It is newly serviced too with oil, filters, points, condenser, plugs. I am baffled, any thoughts?<br>
Cheers<br>
Alex.

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[Jon Tilson]

Or freezing fog...causing carb icing I expect...<br>
Move the air filter inlet nearer the exhaust. The 1300 has provison for this. <br>
Also need oil in the dashpots and ignition leads must be in good nick. Water heated inlet manifold pipes must be free of silt too and no kinks in the rubber hoses to same.<br>
How is your heater? Good thermostat and 13 lb rad cap mean you should get to the correct temp a bit quicker.<br>
<br>
Jonners

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[Dolomite16V]

All the parts you mention have been checked, renewed/replenished Jon. New thermostat and 13lb rad cap too - heater is good and hot within 5 minutes of driving. Unfortunately the car behaves like this even when the weather is more temperate so I can't attribute it all to the cooler weather. On previous Dollys and Spitfires I've known, you could warm the engine by operating the choke to get about a 1200rpm cold idle for a couple of minutes - with my 1300 the choke just seems to stifle the engine and make it stall.<br>
Alex

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[Jon Tilson]

Your fast idle cam screw needs adjusting then. If you look at the choke as its pulled you will see a screw that works the throttle linkage a tad. Its sort of underneath pointing upwards or horizontally IIRC. Simply wind it in so it bears on the throttle fork and you should get 1200 rpm or so before the linkage makes the jet move down to get the richer mixture. It isnt really a choke as such on an SU...just moving the jet down richens it up A LOT!<br>
<br>
Jonners

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[Dolomite16V]

That was it alright, adjusted and it now idles as Triumph intended<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
Thanks<br>
Alex

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