Hey all-
So my 83 12A starts up and runs great, but I have an issue after the engine gets hot. I can start it up and drive 40 miles, but after I shut it down and try to start it again it will start and drive about 20 feet and quit. I have to let it sit for an hour or two and then it will start again. Any thoughts?

 

welcome to the board.

in no particular order:

1. try to see if your fuel is somehow boiling.

2. do a compression test.

3. has the engine ever overheated?

 

Thanks for the reply, happy to be a part of the board! So I can run a compression test this weekend. It overheated a few years back when i blew a coolant line, but after I fixed the line it started and ran fine. How would I check to see if the gas is boiling? That actually makes a lot of sense.

 

i can't think of an easy way to catch it in the act if the fuel is boiling. maybe stick a filter in the line just before the carburetor - something fairly easy to see through? the "start and drive 20 feet"-thing is a little puzzling though. theoretically, you should be able to get it to start if you pour gas down the carb.

another question: have you been losing coolant lately?

 

I have periodically lost coolant in the past. I’m going to take your advice and splice a filter into the fuel line. My buddy had the same issue with his Healey. It makes a lot of sense that the gas is getting too hot. I’m unsure why though? I can pull the thermostat, but it still shouldn’t be getting that hot.

 

were you able to get this done? if so, what were the results?

 

I’m working on the clutch right now. Lost pressure, so I’m going to drop in a new slave and master cylinder. After that I plan on adding the fuel filter and checking for boiling fuel. I think you were right on the money with this…