Fuel leaking from carbs?

[Lighters14]

Hi,

I'm new to the forums, and fairly new to messing around with cars. I currently have an issue whereby when the car is sat for more than about 12-18 hours it needs to turn over a huge amount before starting.

Instinctively I feel as though the issue is something to do with lack of fuel in the carbs (SUs), but not sure what could be causing it or how to go about troubleshooting.

I'm not a purist, so happy to upgrade bits and bobs if there are improvements to be had. Any input most welcome! I'm aiming to really get to grips with the car over the next few months, treating it as a bit of a rolling restoration, but getting it starting first time (or close) is a priority for obvious reasons!

Thanks in advance.

[RobPearce]

What do you consider "a huge amount"? Are you using enough choke?

OK, that was a bit cheeky, but they can be funny when properly cold, which is what 12 hours assures you.

It is also possible that you're losing fuel from the float chambers. This can be caused by evaporation, or leaks, particularly from the flexible hose to the jet. The way to check is to whip the top off (3 screws) and look at the level. Compare how it is after 12 hours to how it looks shortly after stopping. If you are losing fuel overnight, and it's not down to a fixable leak, it may be the easiest option is an electric fuel pump. This will fill the carbs before you start cranking, unlike the original mechanical one.

[thescrapman]

Afternoon Lighters14 (are you so named as you have 14 fag lighters? possibly not a good thing to play with if you also have fuel problems, but I digress)

The quick way to test would be to either pop the topoff a float bowl after it has been standing, or pump the fuel pump lever and listen for lots of fuel moving to fill bowls.

If it is lack of fuel, a quick pump will prove that as it should then start instantly after priming.

There are other issues that may cause a reluctance to start.

Cheers

Colin

[Richard B]

As a further check to Colin's & Robs advice. Check by hand for dampness on the flexible pipe from the botton of the float bowl to the jet (at the base of the carb). There is a square section O ring which seals this union into the bowl.

The modern petrols containing Ethanol can quite vicously destroy this seal. Newer versions of the seal are much hardier.

[Lighters14]

Thanks all. I'll give that a whirl in the next day or two and update with how I get on. Sounds quite straightforward at least.

Rob - my "huge amount" is a minute or so of cranking it before the engine even suggests that it might be ready to try and start (ie it doesn't seem that there's any fuel reaching the engine itself for that time).  Does that make sense? Hopefully I'll get a bit better at explaining what's going on with everything. Half the battle is asking the right questions, right?

Scrapman - "Lighters14" comes from my name, and my old rugby number; it's been my go-to username for years.

Thanks again for the help.