Hitchcocks Forum

After bringing my 1990 engine 500 out of the garage after the winter I can't get it to start. It was working OK a few months ago and nothing has changed. I drained and changed the petrol. Checked spark and timing - still OK. Compression still fine. But tried kicking and push starting to no avail. Not even a whimper. Thought it may be air in the fuel line to carb but no. Only thing I haven't done is strip the carb (Mikcarb) right down as it's a pain to take off. I unscrewed the float chamber in situ and checked the valve and float - all fine. What else could it be? I'm out of ideas now. Any Enfield experts in the Eastbourne (East Sussex) area willing to come and help??

BRAND NEW spark plug? Sometimes an old one shows a spark when checked outside the engine but doesn't do its stuff inside. I have done this one and it's a nice simple thing to double check? ATB, Chris

Thanks Chris. I'll get a new plug over the weekend and give this a try. I'm ashamed to say I have obviously used my spare without replacing it last time! I've been reading quite a bit about problems people have had with NGK plugs, so will try a Champion and see if this makes a difference. Will let you know.

You could also try warming the plug on a gas ring before trying to start it, I have used this method a few times and it has worked well. Also you could try an iridium spark plug, it made the world of difference to the starting of my electra X.

Hi there, If you left the carb full of petrol over winter it could of gummed up the jets. Have you checked for a spark? If you have a spark you could try introducing a little fuel and I do mean a little into the bore from the spark plug hole and if you get signs of life you know you have a carb/fuel issue. I sometimes fill the up ended spark plug with petrol then screw it in for this purpose.

Doh!! How did I miss the bit where you said you'd checked the spark

Only three initial checks really..

1- Has the battery enough poke to light the brake light and sound the horn?

If not check acid levels in the cells and put on charge..

2- As per Davie, Heat the plug tip with a blow lamp to burn off any fuel/oil which is causing spark tracking..(shorting)

3- Clear the blocked pilot jet, (varnished with evaporated fuel).

This can be done without removing the carb initially, You had the float bowl off so just pull the pin and allow the float and needle to drop out.

Either unscrew the pilot jet and remove for cleaning or use a strand of copper wire or a bristle off a wire brush and give that a go..

Thing is don't go altering settings, timing or do a complete engine strip until the simple stuffs been checked..

Every year i have to go through this with the old petrol mower, always the pilot jet at fault.. Trouble is its difficult to drain the tank for winter as the fuel line and carb are enclosed by the plastic tank and pull starter assembly.. Letting the engine stop out of fuel doesn't seem to help as there must still be some left in the carb which turns to ickyness..

Thanks guys. Some good advice here. The battery is fully charged. My incling all along has been fuel so will give the jet cleaning a go tomorrow.

EEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR,is the plug wet with fuel or dry after trying to start it?

Hi,Sab.Sorry to hear about your plug problem.I use BOSCH SUPER4 W78 plug,in my 500 iron barrel Enfield ive had no starting trouble with it.