E85Forum.com

Nwayne · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 30

When the engines sits for a few days it doesn't want to fire right away and even backfires sometimes. Everything is fine once it fires up, idles nice and smooth, revs quick. If I fire it everyday or two no problem, it's when it sits for three or more days. I've checked to see if gas squirts from the carb and it does. It cranks like its cold as heck out but I live in Vegas so it's obviously not.
Any suggestions? Confused

———————————
64 Nova 2 Dr HT
350 SBC, Brodix IK200, Edelbrock E-Froce Supercharger 5psi, Horsepower Innovations E85 750 Carb, TH350, 3:55 posi
Runnin on Corn

89shortbox · Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 153 Location: Michigan

I would check the battery voltage after its been sitting for the time period you have problems. The fact that you say it cranks like its cold makes me think battery voltage is low and this can make your igntion weak or not work at all when the starter is activated.

Or stick a new or known good battery in and see what happens .
_________________
----------------------
89 S10
406 SBC Twin Turbo BT
Going E85 this coming season
HAHA, the season is alreay gone to another season.

Nwayne · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 30

New battery with a float charger on it all the time, except of course when I try to start it.
It will start right up the next day or two days after sitting. I hit the gas once and it fires right up. If I let it sit for three days or more it cranks and may even backfire a couple of times before firing.
_________________
64 Nova 2 Dr HT
350 SBC, Brodix IK200, Edelbrock E-Froce Supercharger 5psi, Horsepower Innovations E85 750 Carb, TH350, 3:55 posi
Runnin on Corn

Obormot · Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 44 Location: Ukraine

float charger - is it a indicator with a float, green when battery is charged? it indicate only for 1 section of battery, other sections may have some problems.

maybe for 2-3 days gasoline evaporates from E85 mixture in carb, and you have pure ethanol (in carburetor)? on pure ethanol cold engine starts much harder, and everything become OK when fresh E85 fuel come from fuel tank to carb?
_________________
European E85 conversion kit
http://bioadapter.com

Nwayne · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 30

I believe the battery is fine. The engine cranks fine, not like it's under load or like the battery is going dead. It spins like it should, good and strong with no signs of the battery going dead. The engine just cranks like it's not getting gas.
I may just need to give it more gas after it's been sitting, maybe even prime it with a shot of regular gas.
_________________
64 Nova 2 Dr HT
350 SBC, Brodix IK200, Edelbrock E-Froce Supercharger 5psi, Horsepower Innovations E85 750 Carb, TH350, 3:55 posi
Runnin on Corn

Obormot · Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 44 Location: Ukraine

yes, looks like gasoline evaporapes from E85 mixture Smile

_________________
European E85 conversion kit
http://bioadapter.com

Alcohol · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 634 Location: Central Wisconsin

Given your hot daytime temps and altitude- I suspected the same- an evaporation of gas component in the fuel bowls.

Are you sure the boosters are still full, not sticking, and delivering full flow on these long off time starts?

Bowl still full?

hotrod · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 872 Location: Colorado

I agree I suspect in your high temperatures your cooking off the light gasoline fraction of the fuel in the carburetor.

Try using the technique I use when starting a cold engine in the winter time.

If it is a carburetor, pump the throttle a couple times before you crank the engine to give it a couple shots of fuel from the accelerator pump, then pause a few seconds before you crank it to give that fuel a little time to evaporate.

If it is popping back through the carburetor the mixture is too lean.

It might be that the fuel has boiled away a bit and the float bowls are not full after sitting for several days in hot temperatures and it takes a moment to fill up the bowls and carburetor circuits to their normal levels.

If you had a manual choke on the carb I would suggest you manually choke it when you try to start it after the car has been sitting a few days.

Larry

Nwayne · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 30

Came home today and fired it up, started right off the bat, but it had only sat for a day. I'll let it sit for a couple of days, try the suggestions and see what happens. Thanks guys. Smile

_________________
64 Nova 2 Dr HT
350 SBC, Brodix IK200, Edelbrock E-Froce Supercharger 5psi, Horsepower Innovations E85 750 Carb, TH350, 3:55 posi
Runnin on Corn

89shortbox · Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 153 Location: Michigan

Definetly give a pump or two before trying to start it after its sat for a few days.
Heck I do it after its sat over night.
_________________
----------------------
89 S10
406 SBC Twin Turbo BT
Going E85 this coming season
HAHA, the season is alreay gone to another season.

Eric68 · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 331

Nick,

If you think its carb related feel free to give me a call, I'd be glad to help if needed. 616-929-5800.

If it squirts out the squirters after sitting for a long time I doubt that the fuel bowls are emptying (internal or external bowl leak). If it is just hard to keep running after it first fires try richening up the idle mix screws a quarter turn (counterclockwise).

Spark plugs play a role too. If they are fouled or too cold a heat range an engine can be a bear to start and keep running.

I don't remember what your timing is set at either. Can you refresh my memory? Backfires out the carb can sometimes mean the timing is too retarded.

Hope that helps!
_________________
E85 racer and E85 carb builder
www.horsepowerinnovations.com

E85 powered 68 Camaro street car
Best ET on motor 9.96 @ 133 MPH, 5.92 on N2O in the 1/8th

Nwayne · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 30

Nwayne · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 30

Went out and double checked the bowls to make sure they are full and they are.
Just a thought here, does the fact that the fuel has to travel through the supercharger have anything to do with it? Maybe after a few days of sitting it just needs several pumps to get enough fuel into the manifold and into the combustion chambers? I'm not going to try and start it again until Sunday to see if pumping the accelerator a few more times makes a difference. I just hate the popping back through the supercharger and carb. Sad

_________________
64 Nova 2 Dr HT
350 SBC, Brodix IK200, Edelbrock E-Froce Supercharger 5psi, Horsepower Innovations E85 750 Carb, TH350, 3:55 posi
Runnin on Corn

Eric68 · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 331

YES! You have to pump it a few times when cold -- even more-so with a supercharger. The supercharger makes it act like the plenum volume is much larger, pump that baby 4 or 5 times when its dead cold when you go to fire it on Sunday and see what that does.

What is your timing like? I seem to remember talking to you about timing curves some time ago, but I just don't remember what you have dialed in it. Again, not enough timing will do exactly what you are describing.
_________________
E85 racer and E85 carb builder
www.horsepowerinnovations.com

E85 powered 68 Camaro street car
Best ET on motor 9.96 @ 133 MPH, 5.92 on N2O in the 1/8th

Nwayne · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 30