She idles!

[david81]

After a long awaited re-installation of my nikki, due to winter and buying a home, I got to try n start my '81 yesterday. She started right up like a champ and actually idled! Oh man I was so happy, I jumped out of the car and screamed like dr.Frankenstein... it's aliiive it's aliiive!

I did an oil change today and ran the little rotary for a while... problem is she ran clean (no smoke) the first couple times, then after she choked out because of lack of fuel... whoops! I refueled and restarted but this time, lots of smoke out the tailpipe.

I'm a little confused by this, and I'm thinking, perhaps because she ran out of fuel, there was a little more oil than usual in the housings? Let me know if that was a stupid question. I'm a rookie trying my hand at my dream car.... any ideas/ advice will help... thanks.

[codge]

I've never heard of extra smoke being caused straight after running out of fuel but others on here might know about it.

I can imagine perhaps one thing. As the carb is running low on fuel and the 'mix' has gone to mainly air draw through, then perhaps oil from the 2 x metering pump lines is pulled in. This could be in a neat oil form, not greatly diluted with fuel. I'm only wildly guessing here.
No link that I can see between sump oil getting to the rotors just because the fuel's run out.

Anyway, first you need to be satisfied that the metering pump lines are correctly attached. It's possible - just - to see air bubbles working their way along the 2 clear pipes when running- but I've always found this difficult.
Then you could fire up again but you need to road run to get nice and hot. That should clear the gunge out of the system.

Hope that helps.
Codge (Dave)

[DKWW2000]

I have had this happen several times mainly on Bikes I have had as you tend to run out more a lot easier.
Quite often it would foul the plugs, I think it is caused by what Dave suggested, it was the only logical explanation. it used to happen on the old 2 stroke in particular the 3 cylinders.

[economiser]

Can't clean fouled plugs by any driving technique, they have to be removed and wire-brushed.

[DKWW2000]

Can't clean fouled plugs by any driving technique, they have to be removed and wire-brushed.

The only way I found of cleaning plugs to remove oil with any success was to brush them & then immerse them in thinners, then another light brush again, but they never seemed 100%.

[david81]

Yeah codge that's what I was thinking, I'll probably fill up the tank and run her for while see what happens, no chance of road running yet.. I'll check the omp and clean the plugs..

Thanks guys

[economiser]

If it takes all that then toss the resistor core wires and get some decent wires from the dizzy to the plugs, and get a hotter coil from MSD, Accel, or Mallory. Then open up the plug gap a bit.

[DKWW2000]

Then open up the plug gap a bit.

You cannot adjust the plug gap on the Rotary plugs as they are pre-set all it will do if you try is destroy the plugs or damage the engine by overheating

I find it best to always carry a spare set,
regards Pete

[david81]

Update- so I guess the problem was running it out of fuel because it doesn't smoke that much anymore. Haven't had a chance to check out the spark plugs. I'm waiting for my new fuel pump and filter, meanwhile I've located and started the process of removing them.

I also a have to flush the coolant and possible throw in some stop leak... anyone used that before?

[MelloYello]

I also a have to flush the coolant and possible throw in some stop leak... anyone used that before?

I would recommend that you do not use any form of "stop leak" in the cooling system. It will cause more problems than it will fix.