Hard Starting - No Fuel Prime (LG4, non-CC)
 

Been having some issues with getting my non computer controlled LG4 (Canadian car) started after sitting overnight. This car always started well, usually two pumps on the gas to prime the carb and it would crank right up even after sitting for days. Recently however, it takes a lot more pumping, and a few attempts at cranking, before it'll go. Once it does start, it runs fine....Choke works, cars runs on high idle for a minute or two, and then kicks down to the lower idle setting. Once the car has been running, I can shut-off and restart easy, issue only occurs once the car has sat overnight.

Car is bone stock, and I haven't changed anything that prompted this issue. The choke appears to be working fine, closes up as expected when set cold and opens fully when warm.

I suspect that the fuel bowl is draining out overnight...When I get into the car in the morning and pump the pedal to prime the carb there is no fuel spraying into the carb (with the hood open I can usually hear it). Once I crank the car a few times, and then pump the pedal, then I'll be able to hear fuel spraying into the carb to prime it, and then it'll start.

Thought maybe the primer on the carb is bad, but why does it work after I've cranked it a bit?

So now I am thinking that there is some sort of drain or draw back on the fuel in the carb bowl.....which is why it primes and starts OK after I've cranked it enough that the mechanical pump has brought some fuel into the bowl.

Is there a anti-drain back vale somewhere in the fuel system? Any other ideas?

Re: Hard Starting - No Fuel Prime (LG4, non-CC)
 

The well plugs under the bowl are notorious for leaking.

Perform a search in this section and you'll find posts on how to diag and repair.

Re: Hard Starting - No Fuel Prime (LG4, non-CC)
 

Following up for anyone else looking for this info. Turns out the fuel filter in the later Quadrajets has a little plastic check valve in it that prevents fuel from being sucked back down the line outta the bowl. The check valve on mine was deformed and not sealing properly anymore (probably due to the ethanol in the fuel here) - I installed a fresh filter with a good check valve and the problem is solved. Nice $3 fix.

Re: Hard Starting - No Fuel Prime (LG4, non-CC)
 

So I’ve just noticed my ‘85 T/A is doing something similar.

You wouldn’t have the part number?