85 Accord starting problem Please help I'm lost !

Our 85 Accord (carb model) starts right up but kills after 5-7 seconds
regardless of what you do with the throttle pedal, then you have to
keep trying to start it for a few minutes before its starts again. If
its been running its starts and runs fine Its almost like the fuel in
the line is gone and then it has to get more to the carb? it seems to
run fine once its going. Its does not depend on the weather but once
its sat over night it won;'t start again. the oil looks like it might
have some fuel in it its not anti freeze becaus the level hav not
changed?? i have read about the main relays causing a starting problem
when its hot in the summer and it used to do that also but only
occasionally. Please i need you suggestions i am mechanical but need
you guys too!
Mike in MN

 

================

mikerr765

It could be the ignition switch if it sometimes runs the fuel pump in
the 'start' position, but not in the 'run' position.

About the main relay problem: It can happen at ANY temperature, but it
will usually happen whenever the temp is at that specific point _under
the dash_. In other words, if it's too hot or too cold inside your car,
you may have trouble starting. Once you get it running, the vibrations
seem to be enough to keep the connection 'sparking'.

The secret is to _listen_ to your relay running the fuel pump for a
second or two when you first turn on the key. Make sure the radio is
OFF, and if you don't hear the relay do it's thing, smack the dash with
your fist and see if you hear it run. If that makes it run, You will
have to replace or rebuild your relay.

I'm not sure how much this applies to non-FI engines. :-(

'Curly'

=============

 

There is a check valve somewhere in the gas line between the tank and
the carburetor to prevent gas from running back into the tank and drain
the line when the car is not used. Perhaps this check valve is broken on
your car? On carburated engines the fuel pump is a low pressure type,
often mechanical and it could take some time to fill the fuel line if it
is drained.

 

Curly,
Thank you for your reply,

So should the Main relay make a noise when i turn the key to the firs
postion ???
Once the car is running i can hear the fuel pump tick, when i turn th
key to the first postion i don't hear it ticking even if the car i
warmed up and starting god , its not until i start the car that i
ticks?

-
mikerr76

 

you should hear a click and then the fuelpump come on then shut off when u
turn the key from on to start it should come on and stay on you should hear
the click come from the main relay. b4 u even start the car u should hear
the click

 

Randolph,
The check valve is a good idea, is there on on my car its an 85 carb
model???
It sure seems like a choke issue or the fuel draining out when it sits
because it is so predictable it acts the same everytime for a couple
weeks now but once its run its great until it sits a bit??
Would a bad fuel filter cause this, or possible the filter hold the
pressure ?? I think there might be 2 fuel filter on this car?
Appreciated