Hard cold start

[JerRita]

Hi all I have an 87 Brougham w/ the 5.0 carbureted It runs flawlessly but if it sits overnight or even several hours I have to pump the pedal to start while cranking. Had the carburetor rebuilt and the choke is working. It seems like the gas is leaking out. Any suggestions? Thanks   

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

How long ago did you have the carb rebuilt and when did this start?

The fuel could be leaking out of the carb bowel as it sits overnight.
That's why you have to pump the petal and crank it to get her going.

I had this issue on an old Buick and rebuilding the carb cured it.  I
suspect an issue with the rebuild.

Mike

[TJ Hopland]

I believe that has an air heated choke.   I never had an 80's Olds with an air heated choke when it was new but the well used ones never seem to work reliably so I would start by doing some checks to verify that the choke is working properly. 

Dead cold engine take the lid off the air cleaner and see what position the choke is in.  It should be somewhere between fully open and mostly closed.   If you poke at it it should be kinda limp and floppy.   

Next step 'step on the gas' this can easily be done standing over the engine by squeezing the cruise control servo.   When you do that the choke should snap fully shut and be pretty much locked in that position if you poke at it.    The servo is the round unit kinda by the alternator with the rod or chain leading under the air cleaner to the carb.  IF you put your fingers on the rod side and thumbs on the back you can just squeeze it and it will pull on the throttle linkage.   This saves you the trouble of going into the car or removing all the air cleaner housing to access the linkage. 

Next step is start it.  As soon as it starts it should be open about a 1/4 inch and not totally loose and floppy.

After a few minutes it should be fully open and not floppy and should stay that way unless it sits for a few hours. 

Let us know how those tests go.