First Start #7421

[FMJ]

First time it ran for about five seconds before my son was waving wildly to shut it down due to a fuel leak. East fix as we just needed to snug up a few connections.

Second time we're about ten seconds in and again my son is waving frantically only this time is was an oil leak. Some knucklehead, who shall remain nameless, forgot to install the oil sensor. Amazing how much oil gets pumped out of that little spot in such a short period of time. Again easy fix only this time with a messy clean-up.

We did get it running for about thirty seconds after all this which was enough to satisfy me for the night. Its time to finish the plumbing and other various engine connections.

-Fred

[skullandbones]

FMJ,
Now that we know there were no disasters (fire, explosions, etc), I can say that was a pretty funny story. It's good to have a backup like your son.

So now I'm going back to my "pre-start" checkoff list and go over it very carefully!! Good luck on an uneventfull breakin. WEK

[WIS89]

Fred-

Congratulations on a wonderful milestone. Sounds like you had a worthy assistant! Extra oreos for him tonight (or something else age appropriate...)

Need to hear some sound clips or video soon!

Regards,

Steve

[AJ Roadster NJ]

So glad you are safe!! Leaking fuel, leaking oil? You guys are so lucky. You are a walking endorsement for some of the basic safety rules;


Roll the car out of the garage before attempting a first start. Homes have been burned down to the ground doing this. Happened in our neighborhood about 18 months ago.
Have a fire extinguisher in the hands of someone who knows how AND WHEN to use it. Depending on type, extinguishers can be messy.
If the car is carb'd, have some dampened towels that can be tossed over the carb to put out any carb fires rather than making an extinguisher mess.
Have people dedicated to checking for leaks at all four corners. A throat-slit motion from anyone, even a bystander, should be interpreted as an immediate shutdown.



AJ

[FMJ]

The good news is my ace assistiant had a fire extinguisher and towels in hand. I'm just thankful they weren't required.

He was pretty good at the throat-slit motion combined with other arm waving and screaming. Although starting this thing without the side pipes makes screaming a moot point.

-Fred

[DVANSLEEN]

Most people use the "Hold my beer while I start this puppy up!"method. I like yours better. On your first go cart drive be sure to install the speedo cable. Don't ask me how I know this.
Good luck with the rest of your build!

[CraigS]

I work as a line tech in a high end japanese car dealership and we almost always employ the two man startup routine. Just too important not to. If not, the time elapsed from turning the key, running around to the front of the car, spotting a leak,running back to the driver door, reaching in to twist a key (or hit a button), could easily lunch an engine. We are paid individually, but it doesn't take long to get with the idea that helping the guy you work next to will pay off when he helps you. Your son sounds like a keeper but I guess you already know that! Ha ha!