My 1975 single choke carb 2cv runs well and usually starts well. Ive recently returned form a 8,000km trip around central Australia and it ran perfectly. But, recently its been very difficult to start in Melbourne's mild springtime.

The starter turns over at normal speed but it takes ages for the engine to fire.
Going throught the list;
Ive checked the valve timing,
The ignition is 123, and the timing is correct,
The spark plugs are new B6HS,
The air filter is new.

Next up is replacing the plug leads and coil.
Is there anything else I should check before the poor starting drives me totaly crazy with frustration?

Cheers

Ian

Check your ignition wires are correctly attached with no dodgey connections behind the ignition barrel

Check the compression. It's a five minute job (though you will need a gauge), and if the compression is down on one pot all the points and plugs in the world won't make it start properly.

do u still have the old black coil fitted fdk? they play up! i have the yellow high output"harley"coil, it gives a bigger spark at the plugs
i have electronic ignition too(dg-nition)
the engine starts within one second every time, hot or cold

My bet is the coil.
Try a new coil and consider it as a consumable item.

Then:
Clean the outside positioned jet and the small fuel filter for a start and then the carb.
Check the fuel delivery by pressing the acceleration pump.
If it starts better with the choke on, then unscrew the angled air srew by1/2-1 turn.

Place a spare spark plug to both the leads and ground it to the engine to see the indesity of the spark.
Try a new coil and consider it as a consumable item.

All these things are fine, but they'll make sod all difference if there's reduced compression on one cylinder.

True,
also try reverting to points and condenser ignition to eliminate an ailing 123 from the equation.

Chris Stuart over in Perth found that the 123 he'd fitted didn't last much beyond one Raid...

ken

Thanks for all the responses. I changed over the coil and it started first turn of the key!

I concur with the limited life of 123. I had one for about five years, It did two raids faulessly and then died one day driving to the local shops! Though, I was happy with its performance and bought a replacement 123.

Have to admit of raids i always carry a points box and parts for incase it fails.

Cheers

Ian

Happpy that was solved.
Keep the suggestions for the future.

Imho it was another case of overlooking the obvious.

Yep, thats true, I have never had coil problems before