Escort mk3 first start

[cjhillman]

I’m having a problem with my Escort lately . The first start it usually springs into life then dies. Second time it cranks for a while then usually fires up. Sometimes (like right now) it won’t and your stuck.

I usually spray wd40 around everything then wait and sometimes it seems to work but I’m unsure if that’s the problem. It’s a manual choke on a vv carb, not electronic ignition either.

I’ve just had the timing and tappets done and it’s no different so I’m guessing it’s not timing .

[gtviva]

I would pull a spark plug to see if it looks wet, if its wet its flooding and getting to much fuel, then put the plug back in the lead and lay it on a good earthing point, get someone to crank the engine and see if you have a spark, that would be a good start

[colnerov]

Hi, It could be the fuel in the pump and lines draining back because it fires at first on what's in the float chamber then has to wait for the pump to fill it up again. Either change the pump or put a non return valve in the line before the pump.

Colin

[nomad]

What is the setup? carb + mechanical fuel pump? (I know how Mk2's work and later Mk4/5. Mk3 I'm not so sure...)

I fitted a glass-tube fuel filter between the pump & carb, makes it very easy to see if you have a fuel flow problem (see photos in my build thread).
Fitting an electric pump automatically primes the carb, makes it a lot easier to start up after standing for a while.
Is the battery well charged? (I picked up a Halfrauds £20 solar charger and leave that connected to the cigar lighter when the car is parked up for a few months)

[djefk]

Is this issue fixed?

[roccoguy]

Mar 8, 2019 10:57:29 GMT gtviva said:

I would pull a spark plug to see if it looks wet, if its wet its flooding and getting to much fuel, then put the plug back in the lead and lay it on a good earthing point, get someone to crank the engine and see if you have a spark, that would be a good start

Definitely this. Do some fault finding to see where the problem lies before buying random parts in the hope that something fixes it. Takes seconds to check if you have a spark while it's refusing to start. If it sparks you can start looking at fueling issues, if not you know you are looking at the ignition side of things.

[ChasR]

Another way to fix it if fuel is the issue is to get an electric fuel pump fitted with a regulator.