Author Topic: 1962 A10 Flash, Starts, but won't Pickup  (Read 1863 times)

Online Terryb

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1962 A10 Flash, Starts, but won't Pickup
« on: 24.01. 2025 10:19 »
Two month's ago started OK. Has been standing since then to have brakes refurbed and now starts, but won't pickup. I've tried full choke and various settings to no choke. Throttle open or closed, but she still won't pickup *help* please

Online Triton Thrasher

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Re: 1962 A10 Flash, Starts, but won't Pickup
« Reply #1 on: 24.01. 2025 10:35 »
I’d have a look at the main jet, in case it’s sitting in sediment or water.

Or maybe the needle has fallen out of the slide.

Online rocker21

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Re: 1962 A10 Flash, Starts, but won't Pickup
« Reply #2 on: 24.01. 2025 10:49 »
if its been sitting with modern fuel in it, take the carb off and clean it.
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Online Bsareg

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Re: 1962 A10 Flash, Starts, but won't Pickup
« Reply #3 on: 24.01. 2025 19:03 »
if its been sitting with modern fuel in it, take the carb off and clean it.

I like the term 'fuel' as it's almost wrong to refer to this cr#p as petrol.
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Re: 1962 A10 Flash, Starts, but won't Pickup
« Reply #4 on: 24.01. 2025 19:37 »
have you checked the points gap?

Online Terryb

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Re: 1962 A10 Flash, Starts, but won't Pickup
« Reply #5 on: 24.01. 2025 20:33 »
Ok, main jet and needle in position, no water/sediment in carb. Not checked points yet.

Strange, but I found that there was a quantity of petrol  collecting at the bottom of the carb below the main jet. Also on examination there is very little up and down movement of the float and the tickler plunger doesn’t reach, yet it must be flooding to get petrol collecting below the main jet.

It’s a conundrum as the carb is a new premiere Amal 389🥴

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Re: 1962 A10 Flash, Starts, but won't Pickup
« Reply #6 on: 24.01. 2025 23:03 »
Check fuel flow from taps by disconnecting at the carb banjo and turn the taps on. Then check flow into float bowl by removing the main jet nut and turn the taps on.

Online chaterlea25

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Re: 1962 A10 Flash, Starts, but won't Pickup
« Reply #7 on: 25.01. 2025 13:26 »
Hi All,
Typical case of modern fuel "gone off" *warn* *warn* *razz*

John
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Re: 1962 A10 Flash, Starts, but won't Pickup
« Reply #8 on: 25.01. 2025 13:59 »
And very likely contaminated with water

Online Worty

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Re: 1962 A10 Flash, Starts, but won't Pickup
« Reply #9 on: 25.01. 2025 19:54 »
'Tis a bit odd though.  On the GF, I run the carb dry and cover the breather hole on the tank filler cap for around 5-6 months.  It always starts fine after that.  Granted I put a little valvemaster+ in with the petrol, and top up with fresh fuel, but I've never had starting/running problems.  Same for the Kwaka, drain the carbs down and leave for a few months, starts after a few kicks after repriming the carbs. *dunno* *dunno*
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Re: 1962 A10 Flash, Starts, but won't Pickup
« Reply #10 on: 25.01. 2025 21:31 »
tis very odd the tickler not holding down the float for a start , what is going on , i know i need to poke the fire and revert back to my black&tan

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Re: 1962 A10 Flash, Starts, but won't Pickup
« Reply #11 on: 25.01. 2025 21:40 »
Another issue I came across many years ago which causes this problem is the moving arm on the points was stiff, i.e. sticking on the pin that it swivels on. Suggest dismantle the points and make sure everything is moving smoothly as it should.

Offline limeyrob

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Re: 1962 A10 Flash, Starts, but won't Pickup
« Reply #12 on: 25.01. 2025 23:15 »
If its starts and idles OK then I would not suspect the mag/ ign.  I would go after fuel starvation.  Sediment in the idle circuit or float valve is my bet.
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Offline sean

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Re: 1962 A10 Flash, Starts, but won't Pickup
« Reply #13 on: 25.01. 2025 23:51 »
Hi All,
Typical case of modern fuel "gone off" *warn* *warn* *razz*

John
agreed I dont know what E rated fuel you are using but here were are on E 10 it has a short shelf life and its a common problem we run into especially on small engines that people have left fuel in like a snow blower for a few months or the previous season it will start and run but no power ....change out the fuel for new

Offline Swarfcut

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Re: 1962 A10 Flash, Starts, but won't Pickup
« Reply #14 on: 26.01. 2025 09:48 »
  Ignition is an easy check, but as mentioned if it starts and idles, then a fuel issue is more likely as the cause. New carb? Has it ever run as it should? If so, something has changed and anything restricting fuel flow to the inlet tract is suspect, from fuel, taps and filters, pipework, needle and float, main jet, emulsion tube drilling, throttle slide and needle. An air leak will also weaken the mix, so something else to consider.

 The float and  its needle work to provide a fixed level of fuel just below the top of the throttle needle jet, so fuel is to be expected under the main jet. Operating the Tickler holds the float down to raise this fuel level on a temporary basis, fuel then overflows into the bore of the carb to provide a slug of rich mixture to aid cold starting with a closed throttle. Float should have unrestricted movement to allow opening and closing of that float needle. Assembly error common on earlier monobloc carbs, washer in wrong place on tickler assembly.

 A mechanical problem is unlikely, but I have had engines which would not speed up simply because the tappet clearance was too small, valves opening too early and closing too late.

 Good luck with this conundrum, let's see if it is a simple fix.

 Swarfy.