3AJ starting problems - Horizons Unlimited

**scoobie** · #1 18 Oct 2004

I've had my 3AJ for two years and never had a starting problems except for the battery sometimes going flat. Last week, after not starting it for 5-6 days, it wouldn't start. I charged the battery, but still no luck.

The battery is charged, and there seems to be enough fuel (certaintly some in the tubes from the gas tank).

The engine turns when I press the start button.

Any tips on where I should start to track down the problem would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Rejean

[This message has been edited by scoobie (edited 17 October 2004).]

**muro** · #2 18 Oct 2004

I would start by switching off the fuel, draining the carbs (draining screw underneath) and then open the fuel again to let some fresh fuel in. - This normally works for me on my 55W.
If that doesn't work, check to see if you have got a spark - unscrew the spark plug and turn the engine over while the spark plug is plugged in to the coil and touching the engine. You should get a fat spark.
Let us know how this goes.
Muro

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**Geoff van de Merwe** · #3 19 Oct 2004

Have the temperatures dropped significantly in Scotland recently?
MY 3AJ is really not fond of starting in the cold, where it starts almost first crank and without choke in summer, I really struggle to get it going during winter. Even with regular use.

Geoff

**Matt595** · #4 21 Oct 2004

Yes it could be the temperature,
otherwise;
don't use 98 unleaded
use 95 unleaded
Maybe some piece in the fuel circuit is stoping up;
Do a one time oil mixture with fuel,
put 2% oil; motor oil or 4 stroke mixture oil when refuelling.
This might be useless but it might solve the prroblem temporarily or permanently.
I've experienced the problem with a 1VJ,
it was the floater in carb, gluing itslelf in up position...don't ask me why but outside it was very cold and it happened as I drove on road wintertime.
I stopped, tried to start...nothing to do, impossible !
Then I took the grip of screwdriver and hit the exteriour down part of carb where floater is, then pushed start button and pop pop pop pop, it started perfectly.
So oil can eliminate the glue problem of floater or inlet valve..
If someone has changed from driving many years leaded to driving unleaded, unleaded will blow all lead deposits still fixed in canalisations/tank and they might finish in carb.
98 unleaded fuel will destroy rubber as floater, membrane, inlet valve etc etc, as its "acid" like 95 is not, it might turn some rubber as human skin with pores.
Though I think ténéré 3AJ stands 98, i think 95 is better for many reasons.
Hope I explain allright,

Cheers,

Matt