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MG MGA - Gas Pedal Position on Starting

Should I be depressing the gas pedal when starting a cold MGA? Or just pulling out the choke cable? Many thanks!
M Addy

Hi. You should not need to press the throttle when starting. Just pull the choke, and crank the engine. It should start right up. Cheers, Glenn
Glenn

Most cars have a power pump to put fuel in the carb when you pump the pedal. The SU carb has no power pump.
jeff becker

I have read that the proper way is to press the pedal a bit, pull the choke, hold the throttle open a bit, hit the starter. And that seems to work very well.

I find it works better to hold the throttle open just a little when starting, I suppose it depends on how your fast idle cam is adjusted.
Tom

I am one of those who hold the throttle open a tadge.

Something else that I have been experimenting with in the last few days and has worked very well for me is to spin the engine for say, half to one second, before switching the ignition on. It has given me instant starting and appears to be less stressful on the starter motor in that the momentum from the flywheel is greater for getting the motor through the first few firing strokes.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Hi Steve
Like that idea, but don't forget to mention how you turned on the ignition to get some fuel into the carbies first...

M Addy - If the carbs are set correctly, choke only.

Also checked in my SERIES MGA 1600 - Driver's Handbook - which agrees.

Pete
Pete Tipping

Actually, the very best way would be to turn on the ignition to allow the electric fuel pump to fill the fuel bowls, then depress the accelerator to alow the choke linkage easier opening, which brings the fast idle cam up on the linkage, then engage the starter.
Once running, a small amount of throttle to smooth out things, and then let the choke back in as the engine warms up.

Do not forget that BMC choke cables are different from almost every other cars, and that the must be twisted to lock and to unlock.
OK?
SF
DCM
DCM McCullough

Many thanks! Mike
M Addy

This thread was discussed on 09/10/2006

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