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Wet Weather Startups...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jon350
  • Start date Start date Jan 27, 2004

Jon350

Founding Member
Mar 12, 2001
201
0
0
SoCal
Jan 27, 2004
#1
  • Jan 27, 2004
  • #1
I hate starting the stang up in the rain. Say for intance i leave it outside overnight in the rain (i know, i hate the idea too), and try to start it up in the morning all it does is turn over forever, sputtering once or twice trying to come alive. Now, i've checked to see if water entered the carb., distributor, ignition coil, or spark plug wires, but not a drop could be found (the msd 6AL is in the mail).....I think it could be that the spark plugs simply aren't getting enough juice.

My question is, Is there anything known for resisting electricity when it's wet/damp in the ignition system? If i drive in the rain and let it warm up then turn the motor off I have no problems cranking it back on, it only happens when it's been sitting for a couple hours in the rain. Where are the gremlins hiding?
 
1

1slyfox

Founding Member
Aug 12, 2002
128
0
16
Concord, MA
Jan 28, 2004
#2
  • Jan 28, 2004
  • #2
Have you checked plug gap?
 

Jon350

Founding Member
Mar 12, 2001
201
0
0
SoCal
Jan 28, 2004
#3
  • Jan 28, 2004
  • #3
1slyfox said:
Have you checked plug gap?
Click to expand...

Could outside water really affect plug gap?...or what's the correlation your making here that i'm missing? The motor starts up fine in freezing weather if it's dry....it starts fine any other time except in heavy rain..
 

RGS0907

New Member
Aug 21, 2003
429
1
0
New Jersey
Jan 29, 2004
#4
  • Jan 29, 2004
  • #4
Jon350 said:
Could outside water really affect plug gap?...or what's the correlation your making here that i'm missing? The motor starts up fine in freezing weather if it's dry....it starts fine any other time except in heavy rain..
Click to expand...

I'd say that it's your cap and/or wires. They are affected big time by moisture. Another (less likely) possibility is that if you have an automatic choke, the spring is going bad.
 
S

slapper

Founding Member
Mar 6, 2002
447
0
0
Jan 30, 2004
#5
  • Jan 30, 2004
  • #5
RGS0907 said:
I'd say that it's your cap and/or wires. They are affected big time by moisture. Another (less likely) possibility is that if you have an automatic choke, the spring is going bad.
Click to expand...

I would have to agree. I would check the cap very closely with a 10x magnifying glass for hairline cracks.
Also where the primary wire enters the distributor, ensure that the seal/grommet is in good shape. Plug wires should also be checked closely at both ends, and throughout their length.
Check the coil to see if it's wetting oil, or otherwise possibly impaired by moisture.
 
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