Hot Restart Problem on 23rd Series

Posted by Dave Schmick On 2008/6/16 10:49:17

Hi, all. I am a relative newcomer, having bought my 23rd Series Super Eight in February, and only recently starting to enjoy it on the road up here in Michigan. I've had a couple of minor questions that this forum has helped on.

Here's a new one. I've never had trouble starting the engine until this past weekend (twice)...and it was under identical circumstances. I guess I would call it a "hot restart" situation. I drove the vehicle for 20 min, parked and shut the engine off for 20 min. Then, when I went to start it again, had significant difficulty getting the engine going. Again, this happened twice. I should make mention that the vehicle is fitted with an electric fuel pump. I'm not clear on whether my difficulty is due to a flooded engine, or a situation involving vapor lock. Both times, after much effort and pausing to rest, I managed to get the engine started again. This does not happen when I restart the engine after just a few minutes of having been shut off...only when it has been around 20 min or so...so I know it must have something to do with the fact that the engine is hot.

It would be good to know what I should do when I encounter the next situation such as this...if nothing else than to avoid embarassment! Is it a technique that I'm missing? Remember, I'm new to the world of carburated engines. Should I (1) jog the fuel pump and pump the accelerator first to ensure the carburator is full assuming that due to the hot conditions the fuel has vaporized or (2) do I actually have a engine that has flooded somehow due to the thermodynamic conditions and perhaps I need to floor the pedal first to open the choke?

Other than this experience, the vehicle seems to operate flawlessly.

Comments/suggestions??