Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 starting issue?

Hi all, my 2012 M3W is taking an age to start, when it eventually catches, it ticks over fine, is this the start of a fuel pump issue? It hadnt been started for 4 weeks or so, but I tried again the following day and it still took ages to start, its on a trickle charger.
Cheers,
Martin

How old is the fuel?

It's probably a case of they all do that. The starting can be quite variable, both of mine would sometimes fire straight away or could take 30 second or more of cranking to wake them up.

It's unlikely to be the fuel pump just yet but if you haven't changed to a Walbro pump then it's best ot do that as soon as possible. The standard pump will fail, it's just a matter of when!

It could be anything. Check the spark plug terminals are screwed on tightly. It sometimes helps to turn the ignition on, let the pump run until cut off, turn off. Repeat this a couple of times before starting to crank the engine. It sounds like the battery is good though, managing all that cranking 😁.

The fuel pressure should be 58psi at the test point at the RH injector, if not then the pump is on it's way out usually. As Chris says, change it for a Walbro one if not already done as it will fail at the most difficult time otherwise.

3 weeks at most

Fuel is only 3 weeks old, thanks for the input chaps. I've got everything to swap the fuel pump, so I'll get that done in the next few weeks, this is the best forum ive ever joined !

There is actually a duty cycle on the starter motor to protect it from burning out and I recall it is 6 seconds on and 10 seconds off.

I find that after 6 seconds of cranking and 30 seconds off on cold days makes a big difference.
On the coldest days it may take 4 attempts at most, but this cycle works for me - and it means I am not cooking the starter motor.

Once it is warm - it starts first time. Do you have difficulty starting after it has been warmed up? If so then maybe something strange is going on.
Cheers,
Paul

Hi Paul, its starts first crank once warm, I'll give your method a go

Mine's the opposite! Usually starts first time when cold, often struggles to start when hot 😂

I had that one of the cams was one tooth out on the cam belt.