1986 C20 Hard Start When Cold

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

AdamWalker

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2014
Posts
1
Reaction score
0
Location
Qualicum Beach
First Name
Adam
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
350
Hi All,
I just bought a 1986 C20 and it takes quite a while to fire when it hasn't run for 12+ hrs. Starter turns over fine, but takes 20-30+ seconds of cranking before it runs. If I then turn it off and start again it fires up like it should. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!
 

mtnmankev

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2014
Posts
1,621
Reaction score
3,280
Location
Ash Fork, Arizona
First Name
Kevin
Truck Year
1984, 1983
Truck Model
K10, C20
Engine Size
383 Stroker, 350
Carburetor or TBI ?
If carbureted, make sure your choke is working properly.
If it's a quadrajet carburetor, the well plugs in it may be leaking the gas out from sitting, and a proper rebuild and JB weld the well plugs should stop the problem.
 

GTME94

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2013
Posts
441
Reaction score
31
Location
Metro Detroit/Holland, MI
First Name
Terry
Truck Year
86
Truck Model
C2500 C6P Camper Special
Engine Size
454/TH400/14bff 3.73
Also, if its carburated are you pressing the gas pedal once or twice before cranking? It may be a simple question but if you've only driven fuel injected cars before you may not know to do that with a carb.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
28,956
Reaction score
23,466
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
I've had a lot of stuff that needed 5-10 pumps on a cold start. It ain't right, my point is that's just what it takes sometimes, the usual couple pumps isn't enough.
 

highdesertrange

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2013
Posts
1,066
Reaction score
211
Location
kalifornia
First Name
mike
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
k30
Engine Size
454
you could possibly have a cracked base plate on your carb, allowing the gas to seep out if it sits for long periods. when it gets warm the metal expands and seals the cracks, so it only shows up when it cools off. just saying it's a possibility. some quadrajets have this problem. shouldn't this be moved to the engine/carb section. highdesertranger
 

Forum statistics

Threads
41,851
Posts
903,487
Members
33,365
Latest member
rossivey
Top