Solex Starting Ritual

So, we just added a Solex carb to the CJ5 and it runs great... when warmed up. It's not a big deal, since I don't use it much in the cold weather, but I was wondering if there was a preferred way to start it in cold weather. I know about the enrichment circuit in place of a traditional choke, which I set before turning the key. Should I give the accelerator a pump or two also?

I've searched the forums and see I'm not then olnly one with a cold blooded Solex. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

I have an electric fuel pump. I run that till it quiets down (builds pressure), pump the pedal 1-5 times depending on outside temp, full "choke", and it will always start on the second or third crank, even at -10°.
I let it idle for a minute at full "choke", then when it starts to miss from being too rich (sounds like, "rum rum rum rum rum...", I knock it back to half "choke". I'll hop in and take off. In another minute, it will do its "rich miss" routine again, then I open the "choke" fully.

I've lived with my solex for 20+ years and have nothing but good things to say about it.

 

well it is better to be patient when cold weather or we cannot go out of the garage!
Other solution is to move in Florida.

 

I just pull the enrichener knob and crank the key. Starts pretty quick if I have driven it recently. Then just put the knob back in until it idles about warm idle speed and as it comes up to temp close it rest of way. If it's sat for a month or more I have to crank to get fuel in it first, but have been pretty happy with the Solex.

 

Thanks, that all helps. A local mechanic suggested I set the mixture richer for the winter, anyone doing that?

 

I pretty much only use mine to pull stumps in the summer and plow in the winter. It might be a hair lean until the engine temp warms up, but after that it's fine. Not to say yours is the same...

I'm probably 2000' higher than you; mine will inherently run a tad richer than yours, all else being equal.

 

1- I pull the choke out and don't touch the gas pedal and try to start. It likely won't start right away in cold weather and definitely not if its been sitting for more than a few days.
2a - If it fired once on the first try, then hit the gas pedal once and try again.
2b - If it didn't fired on the first try, then I hit the gas pedal twice and try again
3- In cold weather (32F or below) - I let it warm up at 1/2 choke before driving otherwise I get a backfire in the carb - Once its warm it runs OK

 

Hmm, I just tried that and 2a worked after sitting for a day. It's in the high 30s, so maybe that's the way mine likes to work.

 

I think I've got it starting fine now. Thanks guys!