Thread: cold motor wont start

Petrol or Diesel?
Regards Philip A

sorry should have mentioned. its a petrol, manual. just fully charged the battery and cleaned out the distributor today. a hell of a lot better but not perfect. still takes a few cranks to get it going.

Poor earth

dickie starter

If it is cranking ok, go to basics. Fuel, spark, compression.

Blocked fuel filter?

There is a bit of a trick with V8s when the fuel system gets old.
Try turning on the ignition until you hear a relay click after three seconds.
Turn off the ignition and repeat.
Then turn to start.
The fuel pump primes for 3 seconds and then turns off . Sometimes if the pump is old and the non return valve leaks, enough has drained back to the tank that the pressure in the system is not enough.

BTW you should always wait the three seconds after "on" before turning to "start".
If it isn't this it could be several things from old battery, to poor earths, to old plugs, leads, dizzy cap, and rotor, to a malfunctioning fuel temp sensor.
Regards Philip A

thanks for all your advice, will start with the basics and work up