1990 nissan micra starting or not

[Steve]

hi, i currently own a 1990 nissan micra 1.0 H reg with 68,000 miles on the clock. When i start it on a morning from cold (seemingly regardless of outside temperature), i have to keep my foot on the accelerator to keep the revs going, or else the engine just fades out. I have to do this for 5 mins or so, until the engine can idle by itself.

My dad said something about a choke, and pressing and releasing the clutch before starting it. Sometimes when i do this, i hear a slight clicking sound from down below. Is this click my imagination or is this what is supposed to happen every time? The engine starts fine when it has been run earlier that day. Any ideas? Cheers.

 

[keyplayer]

My dad said something about a choke, and pressing and releasing the clutch before starting it.

I think he may mean the accelerator pedal.

 

[Steve]

no, i always press the accelator pedal before starting, thats obvious.

 

[Quick Fit]

I think your car has an automatic choke, so it could be one or two problems. Check the vacuum hose to see if there are any leaks.
It could also be a mixture problem, to Rich, or to Lean.
You could also take it to a small garage, and let them have a look
Without looking at your car is not easy to to say what it could be.

Pressing the clutch will make no difference to the choke start up, but
by pressing the clutch down while starting helps to turn the engine over
easier.
QF

 

[keyplayer]

no, i always press the accelator pedal before starting, thats obvious.

Not so obvious, some auto chokes are operated by pressing the accelerator pedal fully to the floor once and releasing to engage, before turning the key and are released gradually using electrics or the cooling system water. I have never come across one that was linked to the clutch in any way. Perhaps your Dad could be a little more specific?

 

[Rob Roy]

have to keep my foot on the accelerator to keep the revs going, or else the engine just fades out. I have to do this for 5 mins or so, until the engine can idle by itself.

Crafty, when cold is the car's exhaust smoke Black? Blue? White? Any sooty deposits on the bodywork around tail pipe area?
Get someone to hold a bit of cloth near the outlet for a few seconds when you start up. Has it collected a load of soot?

Now you've got enough info to take to your garage, or engine tuning specialist. It sounds like carb needs an urgent dose of 'Looking at'.
It will certainly fail MoT.

 

[steve1]

the problem is the auto choke had this before on the old micras
pressing the clutch will not do a thing

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