Won't start after long layup

[Larry 1300]

Hi I didn't have my Dolomite 1300 out last year because of the lockdown. She is in a garage. I tried to start her today but no joy. She turned but not fire up.
The space in my garage is very limited and tight.
She can move as I have been pushing her forward or backward every month.
I am partially sighted so that doesn't help. I am not allowed to drive following a stroke.
I am in Glasgow. Is there anyone who could help me or suggest what I should do please? Thanks Laurence

[dollyman]

A simple check Laurence would be to spray brake cleaner into the air filter or carb, that will tell you if it's fuel or electrics. Hopefully someone will be along closer to you.

Tony

[Magenta Auto Sprint]

do you still have points in your dizzy?
my 1850 wont start after a few months as the contact faces develop a mild patina which needs cleaning off and then its fine, although with the AC Delco dizzy ity is a paind to access the points for cleaning.

otherwise a stuck float chamber valve or the valves in the fuel pump have stuck open, therefore the fuel won't stay up, as soon as you stop cranking the fuel runs back.

Malcolm

[cleverusername]

I can recommend one of these small lithium battery boosters, they can kick pretty much anything over.

As for your problem, first thing I would do is open up the float bowl and look/feel for fuel. If there is no fuel, add some fresh petrol directly to the float bowl. Next check for a spark by taking out a plug and holding it by the block, you should see a spark, assuming your sight issues allow you do that. Having accidentally held one of the ignition leads and earthed it when the engine was going, believe me you would feel it but I wouldn't recommend that.

If you have both fuel and a spark, the only other possibility is either timing or compression but I can't imagine how that would happen if it has just been sat in a garage.

Unless it is turning over too slowly, hence why I suggested a battery booster.

[Larry 1300]

Hi thanks for your help. I will try what you have suggested.

[Richard the old one]

I recommend carrying a sparkrite spark plug tester as they are very cheap and easy to fit when you wish to confirm that you are getting a spark. A set of 4 cost less than £10 but for an initial check you only need to fit one. For anyone who has not seen one you disconnect one of the ht ignition leads from a spark plug and then connect the sparkrite unit to the spark plug and then connect the ignition lead to the sparkrite unit. Then when the engine is turned over with the ignition on the unit flashes when the spark plug sparks.

[captain_70s]

I'm also in Glasgow (Anniesland) and also have a Dolly 1300 which is/was a reluctant starter!

Give me a shout if you'd like a hand, I have some spare ignition bits, sparkplug tester and a hand pump for bringing fuel up to the carb.

[TrustNo1]

A simple check Laurence would be to spray brake cleaner into the air filter or carb, that will tell you if it's fuel or electrics. Hopefully someone will be along closer to you.

Tony

Brake cleaner??????
carb cleaner, or a spray fuel would be better.

[dollyman]

A simple check Laurence would be to spray brake cleaner into the air filter or carb, that will tell you if it's fuel or electrics. Hopefully someone will be along closer to you.

Tony

Brake cleaner??????
carb cleaner, or a spray fuel would be better.

Brake cleaner always works for me, try it.

Tony.

[Carledo]

Brake cleaner and carb cleaner are much the same substance, even smell the same. And both are highly flammable. For some reason brake cleaner is cheaper and often comes in bigger tins.

But either are fine to spray down a carb to check for faults like this!

Steve

[Bish]

Brake cleaner for me. Works on all engines including modern diesels, great stuff. Cheap too. Excellent degreaser and cleaner of all parts.

You can get 8 x 500ml Mannol cans posted to your door for £12.49 on eBay right now!

[Carledo]

Brake cleaner for me. Works on all engines including modern diesels, great stuff. Cheap too. Excellent degreaser and cleaner of all parts.

You can get 8 x 500ml Mannol cans posted to your door for £12.49 on eBay right now!

I buy it by the gallon and use a hand pumped refillable spray bottle. Endlessly useful stuff!

Steve

[tinweevil]

Laurence,

I strongly advise you to take up captain_70s offer. Tenner says your fuel tank is low and you've a dry fuel pump unable to self prime, a hand priming pump will solve it easily.
Long term solution is always brim the tank before layups, that puts the fuel level above the pump (assuming a level garage).

Tinweevil

[Bish]

Yes sorry Laurence tinweevil is right of course. if you need help captain 70s is your man by the looks of things. But, a good dose of brake cleaner, carb cleaner, cold start, or similar in the carb intakes should prove enough fuel to run the engine long enough to pull some petrol through from the tank, and hey presto your up and running.

Maybe something completely different of course but the best place to start for my money.

Good luck.

[Larry 1300]

Hi thanks. Anthony is coming over on Wednesday. I will let you know how I get on.