Just wondered if anyone had come across this before. My car will start first time from cold with a bit of choke. Once the engine has been running (doesn't matter how long - for 30 seconds or a couple of hours), it won't fire again without blipping the accelarator while pulling the starting lever. I don't think it's a fuel starvation issue, as I don't have any issues with the engine cutting out when it has been running for a while.

I had a look at it with my dad and we noticed that while the engine is running, the fuel filter (in mine it's fitted just before the fuel pump) is half-full. As soon as the engine is switched off, all the fuel drains out of the filter back towards the fuel tank.

I'm wondering if this is a sign of the issue, or if this is normal? Answers on a postcard please!

Matt

It's perfectly normal Matt. Sometimes my fuel filter is completely empty, mostly half full and occasionally empty.

Hot starting is always a problem on the 500 as they run so hot, the way they are designed to be.

On my 500 it starts well when cold and a little bit of choke, that isn't really a choke. When hot I have to turn it over a number of times until I hear it trying to fire then as you say, give it a bit of slow pump on the accelerator until it springs into life.

Tony

Thanks Tony, as long as it isn't just me then!

Matt

Yep. I'm a pretty new owner, but that's a perfect description on how mine runs. Fires beautifully stone cold, but stop for a few minutes and try and start again it takes two or three attempts and a few blips on the accelerator to get her ticking over nicely again.

Have you tried the method I learned when using air cooled scooters in Greece? Floor the throttle when hot starting; see if it works for you.

I used to have terrible hot starting issues (and the 500 too), to the extent of knowing I couldn't attempt a start for about 1/2 an hour or parking away from spectators as the 500 churned away and I got hotter. I put lagging on the fuel line in the engine bay thinking to stop fuel vaporisation. Can't remember any change.
What did work was what an auto electrician did to the 500. He was an older school bloke and had done lots of work on 6 volt cars with crap starting issues. When he rebuilt the starter he paid particular attention to getting good contacts on the brushes. But I think the main cure was putting on a seperate earth lead. It's a big insulated battery cable that goes from the top starter motor stud and is bolted onto the bodywork 'shelf' on the right of the engine bay (paint cleaned off & shakeproof washers used). Instant cure.
Now I know that if starting is difficult it's points or valves.
Regards
Viv