Trouple starting while moist
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Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 85
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From: Western PA
Trouple starting while moist
I have this little problem...
After my B2 has not been used in a few days and it's very humid outside, it has trouble starting. It takes a while to finally get ignition, sometimes over a minute of starting attempts. Twice so far it has failed to start at all. But it works again when the humidity is down, and usually the heat is up, like being pushed into my basement garage or being shined on by the sun.
My father says it's an electrical poblem, but I don't think so, given that there are different levels of the problem and that after being used it doesn't happen. He also ays it may be a clogged fuel filter. Oh yeah, and it takes longer to warm up, or will try to stall when pushed too hard. A friend said it may be water condensing in the distributor cap, which can be remedied by a special moisture free cap with a valve.
Anyone know what it is?
After my B2 has not been used in a few days and it's very humid outside, it has trouble starting. It takes a while to finally get ignition, sometimes over a minute of starting attempts. Twice so far it has failed to start at all. But it works again when the humidity is down, and usually the heat is up, like being pushed into my basement garage or being shined on by the sun.
My father says it's an electrical poblem, but I don't think so, given that there are different levels of the problem and that after being used it doesn't happen. He also ays it may be a clogged fuel filter. Oh yeah, and it takes longer to warm up, or will try to stall when pushed too hard. A friend said it may be water condensing in the distributor cap, which can be remedied by a special moisture free cap with a valve.
Anyone know what it is?
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Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 85
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From: Western PA
Trouple starting while moist
Welp, after it had been parked in the garage for several days, it still took a lot and did some wierd stuff trying to start. Eventually it did, but after idling a bit, then turning it off and restarting, it wasn't much easier. I'm concerned it may be getting worse. Any ideas of what it might be?
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Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 85
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From: Western PA
Trouple starting while moist
Year is 1990. How does one tell if spark is strong? If only I could record the noises for you guys. No, I haven't tested the fuel pressure, how is that done, and how would it be remedied? Pump?
Good news is it started up nice and fast this morning for work. I wasn't looking forward to biking. Bad news is it ran a little hot. Just a little, like on the halfway point. Usually it's 1/4 to 1/3.
Good news is it started up nice and fast this morning for work. I wasn't looking forward to biking. Bad news is it ran a little hot. Just a little, like on the halfway point. Usually it's 1/4 to 1/3.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2003
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From: Enon,Ohio
Trouple starting while moist
When's the last time it had a tune up? Mine acted like this in the spring and after wires, plugs, rotor and cap it cleared right up.
Stan
Stan
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: South Jersey
Trouple starting while moist
Get an old but good plug, gapped right and connect it to one of the plug wires. Then touch the threaded part to ground and have someone crank it, use something insulated so you don't get zapped. I would do this when it won't start but also disconnect the fuel pump at the inertia switch just to be safe. You should see a nice consistant blue spark.
You should use a fuel pressure gauge to test it but if you don't have one and the engine is cold you could try pressing the valve on the fuel rail, good pressure will shoot gas far. Make sure you take safety precautions so you don't get squirteded, etc.
You should use a fuel pressure gauge to test it but if you don't have one and the engine is cold you could try pressing the valve on the fuel rail, good pressure will shoot gas far. Make sure you take safety precautions so you don't get squirteded, etc.
New User
Joined: Jun 2003
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Trouple starting while moist
I have an '87 B2 which had the same problem a few years ago. I got the same advice to check fuel/spark etc. Then one time while someone else was turning it over and I was looking under the hood, I saw an arc from the ignition coil to the fender. I would check that and see if that's the case for you. The ignition coil is located on the driver side fender and when it rained or was humid, moisture would drip through the hood onto the coil. All I had to do was unplug the coil and seal the plug with silicone, I haven't had the problem since. Hope this helps!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 149
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From: Monument, CO
Trouple starting while moist
Timing wouldn't likely be associated with moisture, but 'hard to start' combined with 'running hot' could be timing. Or could be other things. Ken seems to be giving you good advice.
When you get to the timing issue, here's the basic procedure:
Start it up and warm it to operating temperature. Turn it off and remove the SPOUT connector. (This prevents the computer from advancing the timing while you're trying to read or set it.) Re-start the engine and set the timing to 10 degrees BTDC. (Timing is set by loosening the hold-down bolt on the distributor and rotating the distributor slightly.) Tighten down the distributor, turn off the motor and re-install the SPOUT connector. Restart and re-check the timing. The computer should have it advanced up to around 20 or 30 degrees.
If you don't have a Haynes or Chiltons manual, get one. They're not perfect, but they have a lot of very helpful info. Like how to set the timing, and what/where is the SPOUT connector.
When you get to the timing issue, here's the basic procedure:
Start it up and warm it to operating temperature. Turn it off and remove the SPOUT connector. (This prevents the computer from advancing the timing while you're trying to read or set it.) Re-start the engine and set the timing to 10 degrees BTDC. (Timing is set by loosening the hold-down bolt on the distributor and rotating the distributor slightly.) Tighten down the distributor, turn off the motor and re-install the SPOUT connector. Restart and re-check the timing. The computer should have it advanced up to around 20 or 30 degrees.
If you don't have a Haynes or Chiltons manual, get one. They're not perfect, but they have a lot of very helpful info. Like how to set the timing, and what/where is the SPOUT connector.