1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Solex Starting Ritual

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by ThePhantom, Nov 28, 2016.

  1. Nov 28, 2016
    ThePhantom

    ThePhantom Member

    Boston, MA
    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2012
    Messages:
    84
    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.
     
  2. Nov 28, 2016
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    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.
     
  3. Nov 28, 2016
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2012
    Messages:
    2,327
    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.:sneak:
     
  4. Nov 28, 2016
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,418
    I used to swap my carter back on for the winter when i plowed. Just worked better
    The solex was better in the summer
     
  5. Nov 28, 2016
    Mike C

    Mike C Member

    Austin, TX
    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2007
    Messages:
    743
    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.
     
  6. Nov 29, 2016
    ThePhantom

    ThePhantom Member

    Boston, MA
    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2012
    Messages:
    84
    Thanks, that all helps. A local mechanic suggested I set the mixture richer for the winter, anyone doing that?
     
  7. Nov 29, 2016
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    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.
     
  8. Nov 30, 2016
    PierreDnepr

    PierreDnepr Member

    Barrie Ontario
    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2013
    Messages:
    218
    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
     
  9. Nov 30, 2016
    ThePhantom

    ThePhantom Member

    Boston, MA
    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2012
    Messages:
    84
    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.
     
  10. Nov 30, 2016
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,367
    I'm personally not aware of a way to "set" the mixture richer, probably wouldn't do it anyway.
     
  11. Dec 6, 2016
    ThePhantom

    ThePhantom Member

    Boston, MA
    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2012
    Messages:
    84
    I think I've got it starting fine now. Thanks guys!
     
New Posts