Cold Start issues
 

I'm having a problem with cold starts on my LT-8s equipped FC. The car has always started up very quickly until just the other day. I started the car in the morning and it started up just fine, I moved the car out of the garage and let it sit all day. When I tried to start the car later, it seemed like it was flooded and would not start. I managed to get it running again by pulling all the plugs, thourghly cleaning them, and turning over the engine several times with the plugs out to clear the engine. I was only able to get the car running by holding the throttle open and cranking it for 10-15 sec. I had to hold the throttle open to keep it running, and it revved very slowly and roughly as if it was only running on one rotor. Once the car was heated up a bit, it was able to hold an idle and it seemed to run fine. I have had the same problem every start since then. Compression is 111-112 on both rotors with even pulses, and the plugs look fine every time I pull them with no excessive carbon buildup. The car also backfires quite a bit while I am trying to start it.

Anyone have an idea on what is causing this and how I can fix it?

I just had the same thing happen to me yesterday. I plan to install new plugs, install a MSD on the leading coil and play with fuel settings effected durring startup. Lean things way down and gradually bring it back up til it starts.

I just got mine to start. I trimmed Idle fuel back at 0", 5", 10" ~15-20percent. Started and ran on 1 rotor. I held the car at a fast idle and adjusted operating load point down a bit until it cleaned up. Then I let it idle and reset a good idle mixture. Foulded plugs are not very durable against fouling again, so I will stick the other two parts of my plan and change plugs and add a MSD.

water temp map and air temp map. Clean out the plugs and then decrease the fuel a couple points at the temps your sensors read.

Check your coolant level lately?

I'm not 100% sure about this...it's just a hypothesis...

If your thermosensor doesn't read coolant temp, it'll super richen the mixture. it happened to me and I filled and burped the coolant and no more problem...

That is good to know!

I have been dealing with cooling system leaks lately. I'll check if I'm low on water and I'll check if I am getting an acceptable reading from my coolant temp sensor. If this fail it would be the same result, right?

By the way, is there a way to change units in the microtech software? (Deg F instead of Deg C)

I am new here and to Rotary's and will be looking up all info, but I thought I would ask now that I saw your post. If what you said is true, can I jumper the thermosensor temporarily to prevent this richening just to test the theory? I too am having a similar problem, but once started it actually runs fine.

What I am in the process of doing is reading as much info as I can on how everything works. I have a ton to learn and can't wait to understand more.

-Sam

Did you try adjusting the water and air tables yet?

I just noticed that the vacuum lines on my oil injection nozzles were not connected to anything. When you take all the smog stuff off do these just get plumbed to a manifold vacuum source or get capped?

Could this be a cause for plug fouling?