Just wanted to know what the probable causes of this problem might be.

When I start the car for the first time in the day, the car will start up but then immediately die afterwards. I usually have to press the gas pedal once or twice for it to start and hold an idle. It then idles somewhat roughly until the car warms up. As soon as it's warm, it idles fine and I can start it up without pressing the pedal.

I've changed the fuel filter, but it didn't seem to make a difference. I don't know what condition the spark plugs are in but they have been in their about 6000 miles or so. I know for a fact that the THERMAC on my air cleaner does not work, but I doubt that would matter that much.

 

The thermac will make more of a difference in cold driveability than simple running. But, if it is leaking vacuum, that will lean out the mixture and cause running problems.

Check for other vacuum leaks. Otherwise, it sounds like a choke operation or adjustment problem.

 

Sounds normal for a carbed car. That's what they're supposed to do (except for the rough running part, but that's sort of inevitable to some extent).

Read the owner's manual. It tells you to depress the throttle to the floor slowly before trying to start it, if the engine is cold; and pump it a couple more times if it's actually cold out, like below freezing.

 

Oh, ok. I didn't know this, as I thought that was for a "clear flood" situation only.

The owners manual for my car got lost somewhere along the way before I bought the car.

 

I keep forgetting some members weren't born when GM last made a carb...

 

I actually went and scanned the pages in question....

 

Thanks RB. You've been a great help. :yourock:

 

Yeah that sounds completely normal for a carb'd car.

Mine does it also.

 

First check all vacumm lines for breaks,rub spots,brittleness, and if that all checks out fine and it really bugs ya about the starting up of the car you can adjust the choke one "line" richer and give it a few days if not perfect go another line, you can get it to start and run fine with 2 pumps of gas before turning the key (will usually run smooth as well since the roughness is probably the carb getting more air than it wants through the choke plates), but if you do this, you will end up re-tuning the choke for summer and winter to keep it "perfect" and thats a hassle.

My new carb does the same thing yours does and i have found giving it 2-4 pumps makes mine start and run without the need to hold the idle up or adjust the choke everytime the seasons change. Just play with how many pumps you give it in the morning and you should be able to find a suitable amount the car is happy with and doesnt die.


Peace,
Dave