Chike cable source

[Anker]

A strange omission on my "new" Caterham is the absence of a choke cable. It has the 1700 Super Sprint engine and I see no reason why that can't be installed. As it is now it is a two person job to start the car cold. One to manually manipulate the two chokes and another to turn the key.

 

Any suggestion where I can source a cable?

 

TIA/Anker

[JohnCh]

Assuming properly set up DCOEs and no issues, you shouldn't need a choke to start the car even in cold weather. Are you familiar with the DCOE cold start procedure? Let the the fuel pump prime the carbs (you'll hear the electric pump slow down when that's done), give the throttle 2 quick stabs to the floor, then crank with foot off the throttle.

 

-John

[Anker]

Thanks John,

 

I'll give that a try. Interestingly, that's how we start the 1941 Dodge. It has an electric choke, but it doesn't work.

 

Both previous owners used the chokes.

 

Anker

[JohnCh]

I've had three different cars with twin DCOEs, including a 1700 crossflow similar to the Super Sprint spec. None of them had the chokes hooked up and all would fire from cold in sub freezing weather. When it's really cold, you need to feather the throttle to maintain idle until you're underway (and this is when a choke will help) but it's never been a problem to start using the procedure above. Let us know the outcome and welcome to the mad world of se7ens!

 

Thanks,

John

[The Stig]

No need for a choke. I have never used one and my last car had the choke mechanism removed completely. There is a kit available to do that and it supposedly makes more reliable running although I didn’t really notice. Follow Johns advice and you should be fine.

 

Martin

[Anker]

Picked up the car today and drove it home. Took quite a while to start it with choke and ether. Really surprised that choke, or just a couple of jabs at the throttle. didn't do the job given the above responses

 

Since it would fire with the starter fluid every time, but not keep running it can't be spark, so it must be a fuel issue.

 

Once we got it running and warmed up it would start up right away. Tem perature at 40 fahrenheit, so wasn't particularly cold.

 

Fuel was old from and has sat in a 1/4 full tank. Filled it up with fresh fuel and will see whether it starts tomorrow.

 

Pops and spits when at low revs (3000 and below) and when throttle is lifted. This could be plugs, wires and timing.

 

I am going to replace plugs, wires, set all gaps, check timing, balance carbs and do a full service and see if that makes it run more smoothly. Car has sat a lot the last 9 years.

 

Anker

[JohnCh]

If it has been sitting a long time, you may need to add carb cleaning to the list. A passage or jet could be gummed up which would result in the behavior you're describing. This page has some good setup information. Scroll down close to the bottom for the section on setting the idle: http://www.s262612653.websitehome.co.uk/DVAndrews/webers.htm

 

-John

[Anker]

Progress! I partially installed the choke cable (not installed in the instrument panel yet. Snowing outside and the garage door open it fired right up with full choke. I let it warm up a bit and could gradually reduce choke. I am pretty sure the mid-range is too lean. After it warmed up, but not to full temperature, so it is not fully verified, I gave it partial throttle and tried applying a bit of choke. The revs increased which indicates too lean.

 

I also added a can of Sea Spray to the tank and will take it for a spin after I have balanced and tuned the carbs, and also fully installed the choke cable. Will see if that clears out the passages and jets.

 

When at Autozone I also picked up a timing light, blade gap gauges and spark plugs. That will allow me to adjust all gaps and ensure that the timing is correct. Aill also allow me to verify that the vacuum advance is working.