Need some cold start help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Benelli · 02-01-2011, 08:31 PM

It was -20F below zero when I took this video. Is this normal or is there something else wrong? The windchill was at -40 and the grill was facing into the wind.

Stats of the truck are in the sig, pleae let me know whats goin on here. I was worried!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/vMbje4TYlo0

chevymotocross · 02-01-2011, 08:54 PM

When it's that cold..... carbs just aren't going to work like they did when it's say 50 degrees out.

Is your choke adjusted properly?

Last carbureted vehicle I had was a F*$D with a built 351m. I was always late to school on the COLD winter mornings.

I love tbi :-)

But seriously, first thing is to make sure the choke is working properly.

Goldfinger · 02-01-2011, 08:57 PM

Even in Florida at 20 degrees mine will have a little of that. Just press it down halfway and release then when it fires barely touch the gas. Make sure your choke engages as well my old Rochester had a faulty auto choke and it did this much worse until you stuck a screwdriver to engage the choke.

gchemist · 02-01-2011, 09:11 PM

Adjust the choke to stay closed longer. Aluminum intake and carb don't help either. Hi humidity will freeze at the needles. Carbs just don't like cold.

motornut · 02-01-2011, 11:24 PM

starts like mine lol
i got a holley avenger too and a Edelbrock intake
sounds like it needs more gas
my choke works after it stalls the first time
but i'm still workin out those bugs
sounds like the line goes empty and yer suckin all the way from the tank
or dam near

silverbullet01 · 02-01-2011, 11:54 PM

if its cold pump it.. kinda sounded to me like it was flooded.. pump it some, or hold her wide open and roll it, if it is flooded..

gchemist · 02-02-2011, 02:22 AM

BTW - never rev a cold engine!! Oil is not moving properly. You can cause wear on parts!! You can also drop oil weight for the winter. I would not go down past 10 - 20.

MTCK · 02-02-2011, 02:48 AM

What gchemist said. Not much oil wandering around the top of the engine... Either too much fuel or not enough... Hard to say, the exhaust was pretty dark but it sounded starved to me. I always would give my carbed trucks about three good pumps when it was really cold and hold 1/2 throttle. It would crank fire and die. Then start up on the second crank. Those were all quadrapukes though. I too love TBI, but a carb with a properly adjusted choke can work just fine. -20 is pretty cold without plugging in. Mine will start like it's 0 at -40 when plugged in. Block heater, oil pan heater, battery blanket and tranny pan (on the autos) heater. Good luck.

02-01-2011, 08:31 PM	#1
Benelli Watchin the rust grow Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Western Nebraska Posts: 950	Need some cold start help It was -20F below zero when I took this video. Is this normal or is there something else wrong? The windchill was at -40 and the grill was facing into the wind. Stats of the truck are in the sig, pleae let me know whats goin on here. I was worried! http://www.youtube.com/embed/vMbje4TYlo0 __________________ 1979 Chevy K10 (H/D Front end) - 350 w/ Holley Truck Avenger, Weinald Intake manifold, headers, bored .060 over, mild cam, Built up TH350 (TranStar Shift kit) with a part-timed NP203 t-case SOLD ($3,000) 1997 Chevy Silverado 1500 - 4.3 vortec, extended cab, 21 highway MPG, stock. "Red" SOLD ($3,000) 1987 Toyota 4wd Pick-up - work in progress, future DD SOLD ($1,850) 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins 5spd Quad cab - old 12 valve with some work done 2004 Chevy Silverado - Black, 4x4, 5.3L, stock for now Underneath that rust is a heart of gold Last edited by Benelli; 02-01-2011 at 08:32 PM.

02-01-2011, 08:54 PM	#2
chevymotocross Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: East Haven, CT Posts: 882	Re: Need some cold start help When it's that cold..... carbs just aren't going to work like they did when it's say 50 degrees out. Is your choke adjusted properly? Last carbureted vehicle I had was a F*$D with a built 351m. I was always late to school on the COLD winter mornings. I love tbi :-) But seriously, first thing is to make sure the choke is working properly. __________________ 87 Chevy 2wd SWB: 305/700r4 Dual Exhaust, K&N Filter, Injector Pod Spacer, TBI Spacer, Belltech Front Sway Bar, Corvette Servo, Western Chassis 4/6 and c-notch

02-01-2011, 08:57 PM	#3
Goldfinger Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: laurel hill Fl Posts: 645	Re: Need some cold start help Even in Florida at 20 degrees mine will have a little of that. Just press it down halfway and release then when it fires barely touch the gas. Make sure your choke engages as well my old Rochester had a faulty auto choke and it did this much worse until you stuck a screwdriver to engage the choke. __________________ 1985 C10 Custom Deluxe LWB 305/700r4 [ Goldfinger ] 1999 k3500 crew cab dually 6.5tdi/4l80e

02-01-2011, 09:11 PM	#4
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: Need some cold start help Adjust the choke to stay closed longer. Aluminum intake and carb don't help either. Hi humidity will freeze at the needles. Carbs just don't like cold. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

02-01-2011, 11:24 PM	#5
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Need some cold start help starts like mine lol i got a holley avenger too and a Edelbrock intake sounds like it needs more gas my choke works after it stalls the first time but i'm still workin out those bugs sounds like the line goes empty and yer suckin all the way from the tank or dam near __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

02-01-2011, 11:54 PM	#6
silverbullet01 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia Posts: 56	Re: Need some cold start help if its cold pump it.. kinda sounded to me like it was flooded.. pump it some, or hold her wide open and roll it, if it is flooded..

02-02-2011, 02:22 AM	#7
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: Need some cold start help BTW - never rev a cold engine!! Oil is not moving properly. You can cause wear on parts!! You can also drop oil weight for the winter. I would not go down past 10 - 20. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

02-02-2011, 02:48 AM	#8
MTCK Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 1,830	Re: Need some cold start help What gchemist said. Not much oil wandering around the top of the engine... Either too much fuel or not enough... Hard to say, the exhaust was pretty dark but it sounded starved to me. I always would give my carbed trucks about three good pumps when it was really cold and hold 1/2 throttle. It would crank fire and die. Then start up on the second crank. Those were all quadrapukes though. I too love TBI, but a carb with a properly adjusted choke can work just fine. -20 is pretty cold without plugging in. Mine will start like it's 0 at -40 when plugged in. Block heater, oil pan heater, battery blanket and tranny pan (on the autos) heater. Good luck. __________________ -Marcus 1991 V3500 L29 454 4L80E NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's 1984 K30 292 TH400 NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's flat bed 7'6" Meyer Plow 2022 Silverado 3500 L8T Project Daily Driver Project Heavy Hauler Project Plow Truck

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