308 GT4 Hard Starting when Cold | FerrariChat
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308 GT4 Hard Starting when Cold

Discussion in '308/328' started by Jeff Cowan, Apr 6, 2018.

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  1. Jeff Cowan

    Jeff Cowan Rookie

    Feb 21, 2018
    17
    Full Name:
    Jeff Cowan
    #1 Jeff Cowan, Apr 6, 2018
    I'm only a week+ into my first 308 GT4 ownership experience and having some trouble remembering how to start cold carbureted engines again! It's been quite a few years. Any tips you can share? What are you experiences?

    My car will be sitting for long periods between drives. So far, after several days of sitting, it's taking me minutes to get it to fire up. I'm in northern CA with a moderate climate and I'm at 1550 feet elevation. The choke cable is suuuuuper stiff and I've been advised not to use it. The fuel pump runs normal. I've been gently pumping the throttle during startup, maybe 20% depression. It will start to fire then I release the throttle and starter and it dies. Repeat several times until pissed off.

    I'm hoping this is just technique I need to learn? Neither the previous owner or the shop that did the major service the other week said anything about a starting issue. In fact the shop commented how great the car runs and drives. I haven't checked back in with them for advice yet but they would be a great resource. I'm curious to hear from other owners how you start your cars!

    Thanks, Jeff
     
  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,823
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
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    Steve Magnusson
    #2 Steve Magnusson, Apr 6, 2018
    Without using the choke (and you shouldn't), you'll need to continue to do a little "pumping" after the initial cold fire up to add enrichment (with the carb acc pumps) and keep it running. You should also confirm/deny the status of the fast idle device (see page O5 in the 308GT4 WSM), if the choke is not used, probably best to disable this device and just manually use the acc pedal.
     
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  3. sltillim

    sltillim Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 22, 2009
    1,696
    San Diego
    #3 sltillim, Apr 6, 2018
    my magic has always been:
    turn ignition on, count to 20
    2 - 3 pumps of gas
    crank, maybe a little feathering on the pedal to start - usually at least sputters in first 10 - 15 seconds.
    If needed, try again! The prime time is the key for my car....
    Don't kill the battery!
     
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  4. Dom

    Dom F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Nov 5, 2002
    8,489
    #4 Dom, Apr 6, 2018
    Similar for me. Turn ignition on, strap on seatbelt, adjust seat, then 2-3 pumps of gas and crank. Usually starts right up, but if it's been a while will need a little feathering on the gas pedal to start.
     
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  5. Ian Bishop

    Ian Bishop Karting

    Dec 3, 2017
    156
    #5 Ian Bishop, Apr 6, 2018
    i don't have my owner's manual in front of me, but there is a step by step instruction in the owner's manual that really does work. I believe it states (to the same effect): Turn on ignition, run for 30 seconds (so fuel pump can prime carbs), during this process depress gas pedal twice to the floor (I do after 10 secs, then after 20 secs), then start. Typically works fine every time following these steps - I guess that's why they wrote them in the owner's manual!!!
     
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  6. jmaienza

    jmaienza Formula Junior

    Jan 8, 2009
    628
    Massachusetts
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    Joe
    #6 jmaienza, Apr 6, 2018
    I have a 308 GTS. I don't use the choke. I turn the key and wait about 15 seconds, then push my gas pedal to the floor 3 times then press down the pedal about 1/4 of the way down and then start it. In cold weather, I press it down 4 times before starting.

    Every car seems to have its own slight variation. Experiment a bit. Even though I have technique for my car, the carbs do seem to behave differently on some days. Just don't flood it. In extreme situations, I give it some pumps to the floor and then hold the pedal to the floor which makes it roar to life.

    Once the engine has fully warmed up and you need to re-start the car, you should be able to just turn the key with no pedal depression. It should settle into a nice idle.
     
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  7. NoGoSlow

    NoGoSlow Formula Junior
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    Jul 29, 2014
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    Mark Jacks
    #7 NoGoSlow, Apr 6, 2018
    Jeff Cowan, ME308, skullyspice and 1 other person like this.
  8. Jeff Cowan

    Jeff Cowan Rookie

    Feb 21, 2018
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    Jeff Cowan
    #8 Jeff Cowan, Apr 8, 2018
    This is great, thank you all. Will try this today.
     
  9. Jeff Cowan

    Jeff Cowan Rookie

    Feb 21, 2018
    17
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    Jeff Cowan
    #9 Jeff Cowan, Apr 9, 2018
    This worked! Fired up right away! Thanks all.
     
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