Should I have a choke ?

[FRENCHMICK]

Hi, this is my second post, I take delivery of my Wesrfield tomorrow, when I went to test drive it I noticed there was no choke, the engine is a xflow 1660 with twin 40 webers, the old owner simple turned the ignition on and waited a few seconds for the fuel pump to run, then pushed the throttle pedal once and turned the ignition key and it fired up second time, was this by luck or is it normal with this setup. the owner has included in the sale a brand new manual choke assembly. Does anyone else have a similar setup to mine and do they have a choke.

Thanks for your help.

Mick

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

It would be wrong to say no one's fitted a choke to a twin carb set up, but is is very, very rare!

 

Yes, you're quite right, by far and away the majority of owners use a similar starting method; though the number of pumps on the throttle required does vary a little car to car, once established what yours needs, it seems to be very consistent though.

[greenandmean]

As a general rule Webers don't like a choke (Dellortos don't mind one) its just a matter of getting used to starting them. Letting the pump run to fill the carbs is normal as is pumping the throttle but its usually 3 or 4 times not just the once, but if that's what works then fine.

[Captain Colonial]

As above, choke fitted with twin 40s and NEVER gets used.  Turn key to On, wait 5 seconds for bowls to fill from fuel pump, 3-4 pumps of throttle, then start and blip the throttle until idle settles, usually within 30-60 seconds.  You will develop your own method, but it will be similar to this from cold.  No need for this from warm, just turn the key and wait 2-3 seconds for bowls to fill, then start.

[pickmaster Andy Lowe]

Mine had a choke on 1700 xflow with twin 40s

1/2 choke

Turn key

Started every time

1/4 choke for fast tick over while I shut the garage door

Choke off and drive away

As others say whatever works for you and your car

I stand to be corrected, but I think it's like bikes I used to have

Every time you push the throttle it sprays fuel down the manifolds to help with acceleration response

This fuel pumping also gives the engine a rich mixture if used to prime engine before starting so negating the use off the choke cable system

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman)]

I stand to be corrected, but I think it's like bikes I used to have

Every time you push the throttle it sprays fuel down the manifolds to help with acceleration response

This fuel pumping also gives the engine a rich mixture if used to prime engine before starting so negating the use off the choke cable system

 

That's how I understand it too.

[FRENCHMICK]

Thanks Guys, sounds like I just need to get used to the starting procedure.

All the best,

Mick

[corsechris]

Mine had a choke on 1700 xflow with twin 40s

1/2 choke

Turn key

Started every time

1/4 choke for fast tick over while I shut the garage door

Choke off and drive away

As others say whatever works for you and your car

I stand to be corrected, but I think it's like bikes I used to have

Every time you push the throttle it sprays fuel down the manifolds to help with acceleration response

This fuel pumping also gives the engine a rich mixture if used to prime engine before starting so negating the use off the choke cable system

 

Same here - another oddball who had a working and often used Weber 40 cold start enrichment device. Same procedure too. The cable became a bit redundant after converting it to EFI, but now serves to open & close the heater water valve.

[Lawrie]

And I thought I was the only one with a choke.  I occasionally use it to keep the engine running when its cold and I'm not in the car.

 

Everybody uses the wait and a couple of pumps or similar, depending on the engine - see what works.

 

I read somewhere that the choke on Webers wears and starts leaking fuel

[corsechris]

My first experiences of twin Weber carbs was on old Alfas and Fiats, and they always had choke cables and fuel enrichment devices and I always used them. Just carried this over to the Westy and never quite understood why everyone else was so against using them.

 

Thermostatic auto-chokes, now that's a different topic

 

Each to their own, YMMV etc etc.