Cold Starting Problems - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevychic · 12-07-2002, 01:56 PM

Now that the weather is considerably colder, I'm having some problems starting my truck. It starts fine and I need to give it a little gas after I first start it, but I can't leave it to let it warm up. I have to babysit for at least 5 minutes otherwise it'll die. I'm not a very patient person and sitting in a cold truck for 5 minutes+ is not something I want to do every morning.
It'll idle just fine for a minute or so but then it starts idling rough until it dies or I run outside and give it gas. Then it'll happen again a couple of minutes later. I don't have a garage at my new house so it sits outside all night.

Also if I get too impatient and don't wait at LEAST 5 - 10 minutes (closer to 10) for it to warm up, it'll die after about 5 minutes of driving. It starts right back up and will be fine the rest of the day.

This only happens in the morning and after it's warmed up from driving for about 20 minutes I have no problems the rest of the day.

I'm not sure when this truck had it's last tune-up so that's on my to do list soon.

What could be causing this?

Prerunner1982 · 12-07-2002, 04:13 PM

have you tried setting the choke before you start it. press the gas pedal to the floor and hold it, release it, wait 10sec then start it.. ?? that should set the choke so it will run alittle higher rpm.. i have had problems with my choke recently as well, it wouldnt stay open, i had to prop it open with a spark plug boot.. one day it started workin.. lol...

**old Rusty C10** · 12-07-2002, 07:21 PM

its definately an electric choke problem sometimes its just gummed up and a couple shots of carb cleaner on it frees it up and its fine other times it needs to be adjusted by the adjusting screws on it. In any event its a fairly easy thing to do

*mike reeh* · 12-07-2002, 08:02 PM

so your truck is carbureted right? its definately the choke then. Mine did that EXACT same thing when the choke is not setup right.

when its setup right, you should kick the throttle once, which engages the choke and squirts some fuel down there. Then you crank and it should start and immediately fast idle forever, until you kick the throttle again after its warmed up and it should go back down to normal idle. Also the engine should run REALLY well when its cold and the choke is working. My advice if you cant fix it is find a shop that specializes in carbs or carb rebuilding in your area... around here there is one that I know of.. they will get that thing working quick and cheap and better than any old shop where the guys are used to working on newer vehicles.. its like with these old trucks, you have to find a place that specializes in them just like with german or european cars because not everyone knows how to work on them.. oh well thats just my two cents good luck

mike

85Silverado · 12-08-2002, 09:09 PM

Mine does that too. Will start right up after 3 pumps on the gas but will only idle fine for like a minute and then stall out, but i think i have other problems besides the choke

Paul D.
'85 Silverado

12-07-2002, 01:56 PM	#1
chevychic Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chanhassen, MN Posts: 1,061	Cold Starting Problems Now that the weather is considerably colder, I'm having some problems starting my truck. It starts fine and I need to give it a little gas after I first start it, but I can't leave it to let it warm up. I have to babysit for at least 5 minutes otherwise it'll die. I'm not a very patient person and sitting in a cold truck for 5 minutes+ is not something I want to do every morning. It'll idle just fine for a minute or so but then it starts idling rough until it dies or I run outside and give it gas. Then it'll happen again a couple of minutes later. I don't have a garage at my new house so it sits outside all night. Also if I get too impatient and don't wait at LEAST 5 - 10 minutes (closer to 10) for it to warm up, it'll die after about 5 minutes of driving. It starts right back up and will be fine the rest of the day. This only happens in the morning and after it's warmed up from driving for about 20 minutes I have no problems the rest of the day. I'm not sure when this truck had it's last tune-up so that's on my to do list soon. What could be causing this? __________________ *ChevyChic* 86 Chevy K-10 If I can't be a good example, then I'll just have to be a horrible warning. "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think" - Christopher Robin

12-07-2002, 04:13 PM	#2
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	have you tried setting the choke before you start it. press the gas pedal to the floor and hold it, release it, wait 10sec then start it.. ?? that should set the choke so it will run alittle higher rpm.. i have had problems with my choke recently as well, it wouldnt stay open, i had to prop it open with a spark plug boot.. one day it started workin.. lol... __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

12-07-2002, 07:21 PM	#3
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	CHOKE its definately an electric choke problem sometimes its just gummed up and a couple shots of carb cleaner on it frees it up and its fine other times it needs to be adjusted by the adjusting screws on it. In any event its a fairly easy thing to do __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

12-08-2002, 09:09 PM	#5
85Silverado Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 198	Mine does that too. Will start right up after 3 pumps on the gas but will only idle fine for like a minute and then stall out, but i think i have other problems besides the choke Paul D. '85 Silverado __________________ Paul D. '78 C20 Scottsdale 350ci 3 speed with granny gear 14 bolt rearend My trucks are "Car-Guy safe".......which pretty much means death trap in the hands of a normal civilian.

12-07-2002, 08:02 PM	#4
mike reeh 5 day ban, learn to behave. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 683	so your truck is carbureted right? its definately the choke then. Mine did that EXACT same thing when the choke is not setup right. when its setup right, you should kick the throttle once, which engages the choke and squirts some fuel down there. Then you crank and it should start and immediately fast idle forever, until you kick the throttle again after its warmed up and it should go back down to normal idle. Also the engine should run REALLY well when its cold and the choke is working. My advice if you cant fix it is find a shop that specializes in carbs or carb rebuilding in your area... around here there is one that I know of.. they will get that thing working quick and cheap and better than any old shop where the guys are used to working on newer vehicles.. its like with these old trucks, you have to find a place that specializes in them just like with german or european cars because not everyone knows how to work on them.. oh well thats just my two cents good luck mike



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