another newbie with a problem!

[marlowboy]

Hi all, finally registered, next step joining!
I am the proud owner of a 71 Stag that was rebuilt in 1997, brought from South Wales and drove back to Maidenhead, over 100 miles in the pouring rain around 6 months ago with no problems!
As seems as with most newbie’s on here, I have a problem, or at least the Stag has!
From cold, starts and runs fine, stop, leave for a couple of minutes, turns over, smell of fuel, have a spark at plug but refuses to start. I have just removed the carbs to re-gasket them as before this problem started there were signs of a small leak/damp patch on them.
When I lifted them of, there were 2 puddles of fuel, and I mean puddles in the inlet manifold, 3/8th inch deep! I cannot believe this is how it should be?
Any ideas fellow Stag owners, I have also noticed there is no fuel filter connected in the boot , just some tubing that seems to go nowhere, assume it has been disconnected by previous owner, but wonder why?
Any help/advice gratefully received........

[RogerP]

Hi ???? and welcome to the Forum, a name would be good.

It sounds as if your needle valves are not shutting off, take them out and blow through or better still fit new one's.....If the carbs are still fitted you could try switching off the inertia cut out start the engine and let it run out of fuel then switch the inertia back on, sometimes the sudden rush of fuel going through will wash out any small particles of muck, you might have to do that a few times.........................Another thing is if you do a search for carbs or flooding there is a lot of information there, as this has been covered before.

Best of luck

Rogerp

[pcoleman]

the "fuel filter" in the boot is only a vent so just replace it when you can.
regards. pete.c

[milothedog]

Hi all, finally registered, next step joining!
I am the proud owner of a 71 Stag that was rebuilt in 1997, brought from South Wales and drove back to Maidenhead, over 100 miles in the pouring rain around 6 months ago with no problems!
As seems as with most newbie’s on here, I have a problem, or at least the Stag has!
From cold, starts and runs fine, stop, leave for a couple of minutes, turns over, smell of fuel, have a spark at plug but refuses to start. I have just removed the carbs to re-gasket them as before this problem started there were signs of a small leak/damp patch on them.
When I lifted them of, there were 2 puddles of fuel, and I mean puddles in the inlet manifold, 3/8th inch deep! I cannot believe this is how it should be?
Any ideas fellow Stag owners, I have also noticed there is no fuel filter connected in the boot , just some tubing that seems to go nowhere, assume it has been disconnected by previous owner, but wonder why?
Any help/advice gratefully received........

Leave the car with the ignition on and remove the carb overflow pipes, this will confirm if the needle valves are leaking and which one. an easy job, cost about £25 for parts to fix and takes no more than an hour, It's quite common to find a pool of fuel in the inlet manifold as you did, new needles valves should cure it (for a while).

Ian.

[marlowboy]

Hi again, many thanks for all your replies, I have ordered a set of carb gaskets that should arrive tomorrow, will see what is included.
pete.c, there is a breather filter in the boot but has no connections to it, all the pipes have been "folded" round the tank and also do not appear to be connected to anything! I guess this is why there is a petrol smell in the boot?
My name is................................................ ..Martin!

[David Maddern]

Hi,

I have had similar problems with hot starting, I recently exchanged the air cleaner with a K&N type and have made sure the filter box and filter is perfectly sealed and it seems to have cured the problem, it may be a long shot but it might be worth looking at. Good luck.
David

[Stagdad]

If you re gasket the carbs I would fit new spindle seals at the same time.

Cheers Steve (not far from you)

[marlowboy]

Hi Chaps, thanks again for advice, will check air filter but not to hopeful that is the problem, but worth a try after I have put it all back together.
Steve, I have the gasket kit, started to fit and on your advice, will do the spindles, hoping they are included in my kit!

Again, many thanks.

[marlowboy]

Hi all again, seems the carburettor rebuild has been almost successful, the car now starts cold and again when hot, wonderful!
The problem now is that 1 carburettor has an adjustment problem, when I insert the special tool down the carburettor top, it is not engaging to alter the needle height, and it “feels” like it is rounded off.
What are your suggestions, if available, will it be a new piston assembly or is there a way of replacing this part?
Aren’t old cars fun!