Proplems cold starting the engine - advice needed

1952 - 1968, M38A1, M170, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38a1 series.
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1000Fuss
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Proplems cold starting the engine - advice needed

Post by 1000Fuss » Sun Apr 09, 2017 12:00 am

When cold my '56 M38A1 only starts with the help of a lot of starter spray.
When running the engine idles and sounds normal.

First I suspected the fuel pump to be the cause but that cannot be
because the engine starts properly when warm.

Did you face equal problems? Do you have an advice where to look or check?

Thx.
1956 M38A1
1951 CJ-3A project


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Scoutpilot
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Re: Proplems cold starting the engine - advice needed

Post by Scoutpilot » Sun Apr 09, 2017 3:20 am

What is your cold weather starting procedure?
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Re: Proplems cold starting the engine - advice needed

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Apr 09, 2017 4:16 am

A well tuned M-38A1 is one of the quickest starting vehicles, even after setting overnight, they will start on less than the first revolution. Is everything on the fuel and ignition system original?
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Re: Proplems cold starting the engine - advice needed

Post by markrdje » Sun Apr 09, 2017 4:48 am

I had a 1952 m38a1 jeep, 2 m151 jeeps.In the winter time when it got down to minus 10,20,30 below zero, the 38a1 jeep always started within seconds of trying.The mutt jeeps were not so.(these jeeps sat outside)
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Re: Proplems cold starting the engine - advice needed

Post by 1000Fuss » Sun Apr 09, 2017 10:47 am

Scoutpilot wrote:What is your cold weather starting procedure?

Cold doesn't mean cold in the sense of low F degrees but rather that engine wasn't running for same time. Over here we currently have 70F
1956 M38A1
1951 CJ-3A project

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Re: Proplems cold starting the engine - advice needed

Post by 1000Fuss » Sun Apr 09, 2017 10:48 am

Ben Dover wrote:A well tuned M-38A1 is one of the quickest starting vehicles, even after setting overnight, they will start on less than the first revolution. Is everything on the fuel and ignition system original?
The engine is all original, no changes made.
1956 M38A1
1951 CJ-3A project

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Re: Proplems cold starting the engine - advice needed

Post by 1000Fuss » Sun Apr 09, 2017 11:53 am

Thank you all for your comments. I found the cause: the choke wasn't closing correctly. Some drops of WD40 fixed it.
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Re: Proplems cold starting the engine - advice needed

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Apr 09, 2017 1:40 pm

When in tune, all that is necessary to start a cold M-38A1 is full choke and shove it completely in the instant it fires, usually in less than one revolution if driven daily. Pumping the accelerator pedal is not effective. The "F" Head is a good design.
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