hard (won't) start when cold

[Jim Booth]

I have always needed to use a spray or two of starting fluid at the end of the season when temps drop to 45 or so. This season with my much cleaned and adjusted carburetor the motor is running very smoothly from idle to full throttle. It doesn't start instantly but pretty quick. I usually give it a three second crank, then a second two or three second crank gets it going in the summer.

Is my cold start problem just choke not 100% closed?

Thanks,
Jim

[Dave Neptune]

Jim, sounds about right to me. The A-4 when running smooth and NOT RICH should start as you describe. That means the mix is on the leaner side where it should be so as to not have any fouling issues.

The only way to check the choke is to LOOK at it!

If you have an EI open the plugs up to .040/042", that should help the idle smoothness and a bit quicker start because of the stronger spark from the EI and the bigger gap is more spark exposure to the fuel mix.

Dave Neptune