i got an 82 gx and i ahve trouble starting my car sometimes. at times it takes 10 minutes to start the car... anyone know why or any possible problems/solutions?

 

Check your spark plugs, they may be fouled or plugged up with carbon. If thats true, replace the wires too and your car shouldnt have any problems!

 

Just for reference, never turn the car off until it has reached operating temperature. Otherwise that can cause it to flood.

edit: If you suspect the car is flooded, read this article

http://www.rx7.com/tech/unflood-sa-carb.html

otherwise, read it anyway, it's useful information!

 

what if thats not the problem... where do i go from there

 

could be your battery, or battery terminals, or a bad ground, not letting enough current through the starter to get the motor spinning fast enough to catch (slower it spins, the lower the compression).

you can also check compression.

 

I'm a little bit fuzzy on my carbs... but I know that in an EGI car, your fuel is pumped from the tank. If there is a leak of some sort in the fuel line -- or, say, in the pump itself -- and the car drops fuel pressure, it can take a while to build that pressure. Some cars, like my Saturn, will run the fuel pump as long as the car is in the "run" position. The RX-7 (EGI models here), only when the engine is actively cranking. Thus, in my Saturn, I turn the key to run, wait to hear the buzz of the fuel pump stop, and then crank it. Works *every* time. In the RX-7, however, I nearly flipped out when it took several cranks to get the car to start after I replaced the fuel filter. It simply had to build up pressure inthe fuel system.

One of the nice things about the carb, though, is that it makes it real easy to check for fuel. Assuming that the engine is in otherwise good condition, we need three things for the car to start: Fuel, spark, air. Take your air cleaner off and look down the carb. pull off your dizzy cap, turn the key to "run" and hit your starter bump switch a few times. (Or, of course, you can get somone else to crank the engine if you're not so-equipped). Yank on the throttle cable while it's cranking and see (and smell!) if you're getting shots of gas. If you are, then you're getting fuel. Might not be enough.. but you're getting some.

Next stop, the plugs. Put your aircleaner back together, and get your dizzy cap back on. Pull a plug out, touch it to something grounded (like, say, the engine block), and hit your starter switch (or have a lackey do it for you). You should get a nice crisp blue spark. If not, you've got spark issues. Do that for all your plugs. One bad plug and you should look at your wire. Multiple bad plugs and I'd look at your ignition system.

It could be a little bit out of time. Unusual, because it will run, but somewhat possible. Get it running (because it sounds like you can) and put your timing light on it. You might need to replace your timing belt. Take it to your favorite mechanic and tell him that you need a new timing belt. He probably won't want to do it, because it can be difficult on these cars, but insist that it really really needs to be done.

Seriously, though, If you're getting spark, getting (some) fuel, and you're not flooded, then you should check the volume of fuel you're pulling. Disconnect the fuel line from the carb, put it in a bottle, and crank the engine. I'm not sure of the exact amount, but you should get more than just a thimblefull of gas in the bottle. If the gas is discolored, cloudy, or in very small supply in your bottle, pull the fuel filter and replace it. Check the fuel that comes out of the input line of the fuel filter. If it's clean, but the fuel at the carb is nasty, then you've got goo in your tank. If the output line is clean, but you have goo at the carb, then you might want to look at a new fuel line.

If it's an intermittant problem, you might take note of the conditions when it won't start right away. For example, I had a Subaru that wouldn't start if it had rained the night before in the summertime. Turns out the dizzy cap had a minute crack in it that would allow moisture to build up inside the cap, but only when the rain would steam off the asphalt. Bizzare. So you might check for things like that.

If none of this helps, there is a little link up in the top-right corner of the webpage, under the rear wheel of that white FC. Says "search". Give that a try.