Re: Q-jet starting issues
It depends on why the engine quits. If it quits because the throttle is "blipped" when the engine was just started that is not a failure in my mind. It is improper operation, but we should be testing the car -- not the owner. On most carbureted cars one can force the fast idle cam to come off shortly after engine start if one "blipps" the throttle. There is no need in my mind to prove that function.
On the other hand if the engine dies of its own accord -- perhaps because of improper adjustment or no fast idle function -- that is a failure.
Every engine has its own quirks. When I did PVs I told the owners to pump the gas as often as they usually did to start the car. That is the instructions that should be given during operations checks as well. I know of no place in Chevrolet documentation that says one needs pump the gas only once or any other specific number of times. My challenge to someone who takes that position is to prove it with Chevrolet documentation. I would begin to question the function of the fuel delivery system if it took more than say four or five pumps to get the engine stared regardless the brand of carburetor it was equipped with. At some point one has to wonder if everything is functioning properly if excessive throttle manipulation is necessary.
While I wish everyone else would take that position, I know better than to expect everyone in the world (even our small world) to agree with me. These kinds of decisions ought to be made by the National Team Leader. Those people can't be everywhere, and there are many meets that will take place without the NTL present and someone has to give instructions for Operations checks at each of them. There is an Operations section in the TIM&JG -- or at least there is in the recently revised ones. It should be consulted because that wording should have been approved by the NTL for that division.
Sorry for so many words for what seems like a short and simple question, but you did ask.
It depends on why the engine quits. If it quits because the throttle is "blipped" when the engine was just started that is not a failure in my mind. It is improper operation, but we should be testing the car -- not the owner. On most carbureted cars one can force the fast idle cam to come off shortly after engine start if one "blipps" the throttle. There is no need in my mind to prove that function.
On the other hand if the engine dies of its own accord -- perhaps because of improper adjustment or no fast idle function -- that is a failure.
Every engine has its own quirks. When I did PVs I told the owners to pump the gas as often as they usually did to start the car. That is the instructions that should be given during operations checks as well. I know of no place in Chevrolet documentation that says one needs pump the gas only once or any other specific number of times. My challenge to someone who takes that position is to prove it with Chevrolet documentation. I would begin to question the function of the fuel delivery system if it took more than say four or five pumps to get the engine stared regardless the brand of carburetor it was equipped with. At some point one has to wonder if everything is functioning properly if excessive throttle manipulation is necessary.
While I wish everyone else would take that position, I know better than to expect everyone in the world (even our small world) to agree with me. These kinds of decisions ought to be made by the National Team Leader. Those people can't be everywhere, and there are many meets that will take place without the NTL present and someone has to give instructions for Operations checks at each of them. There is an Operations section in the TIM&JG -- or at least there is in the recently revised ones. It should be consulted because that wording should have been approved by the NTL for that division.
Sorry for so many words for what seems like a short and simple question, but you did ask.
Comment