starting the 240

[cardogman1]

Hello everbody,

Does anybody have any ideas to improve the starting of the 240z. It's very cold in New York and even though the car starts it takes about two or three trys and thats with a complete major tune up with new plugs, points, rotor, fuel filter, coil, distributor cap.Carbs are adjusted. I know these cars were always alittle difficult. The battery is new and the starter and alternator are fine. Would an electronic ignition help. The car is garaged but even in the garage unless I put the heater on it can be a pain in the neck.

Let me know if you have had the same problem and if there is a fix.

Thanks

Burt

Cardogman1

71 240z

[carguyinok]

It sounds like you have the tune-up coverd. I lived in the cold stuff up north for years. I am not sure how much the electronic ignition would help with the true COLD starts. One of the things we did on our cars and trucks was going with a lighter oil for winter. The thicker or heavy oil can get almost tar like in the cold.

I have changed my cars over to the newer synthetic oil. This oil dose not get thicker or thinner with temp. Then the motor dosnt have to fight with pumping the thick oil at start up. This is all your heater dose (keeps the oil warm\thin).

The only down side is the synthetic oil is not cheap so if you have drips or burn oil you may want to fix that first.

Hope it helps.

[bryantatem]

I too used to live where it is cold in the winter. (Northern New York YUCK!!) MOVE it is nice here in San Antonio. I woke up to 68 degrees. NOT BAD FOR FEB!!!

[cardogman1]

carguronik

I have synthetic oil in the car so I don't think thats the contributing factor. Thanks for your response though.

Burt

[24OZ]

Hey Burt,

Does it only do this when cold?

When you turn the key to the on position, so that the dash lights come on, can you hear the fuel pump make any noise? Wait around 6 secs and then turn the key all the way to fire her up. Just wondering if its fuel pump related??????

[MikeW]

I don't think his '71 even has an electric fuel pump. There should be just the stock mechanical pump.

[cardogman1]

Mike your right the 71 240 does not have an electric fuel pump so that's not the problem.

Thanks for the help

Burt

[ZmeFly]

but it does make it easier is getting rid of the points for a electronic distributor for much easier starting.

also are you choke cables still hooked up and working properly.

when i started mine to run it in the cold having the chokes adjusted and working right helped a lot. usually no more then 2 tries

[Daniel]

How cold is cold?Overnight?Afternoon?When my Z hasn't been cranked in a month or so I put on the choke hit the key for about 5 seconds.Next I put on my seat belt,usually roll down my window,release the emer brake.Then when I hit the key VROOOMMM.Are you certain your chokes are working fully and correctly?

[cardogman1]

Daniel,

What do you mean hit the key. Do you have an electric fuel pump, that might help starting. I have a died in the wool plain and original 240. Cold is like about 25 degrees in the garage. The battery went dead it seams after about 3 days. New battery too. Starting to think it might be the alternator or something. Went out and bought one of those battery starters and it started up right up.

Any ideas gratefully appreciated

Burt

[cardogman1]

Dan,

spelled seem wrong.

Burt

[Daniel]

Hit the key=starter is turning.NO elec.fuel pump.When I ask cold I mean the car not the outside temp.Does the problem occur after Each time?days?hours? months? of not starting it.If the fact a battery booster/charger solved your problem then,I did not understand the question.Can you perhaps be alot more clear on your question?