how do use a choke on a manual car ie a metro?

Question

i have 1993 metro and it has a manual choke - how does this work

Answer 1

You should only need to do this when the engine's cold, and every engine is different. You'll probably need to pull it out about half to three quarters, maybe more in cold weather, before you start. Then ease it back in bit by bit as the engine warms, you'll soon find out what your car requires, until you can run without it. The sooner the choke goes back in the better.
It works by restricting the airflow into the engine so the petrol/air mixture is considerably richer in petrol, which a cold engine needs to start. As well, it will increase the idle speed to keep it going while cold.

If you forget, and leave the choke in operation when the engine doesn't need it, it will run badly, belch black smoke and use a heck of a lot of fuel. The excess fuel tends to wash oil off the bores too, doing not very much for engine life.

Answer 2

From memory that car will have an automatic choke and shouldn't need any manual intervention. How well it still works after 24 years is open to question though... If it does have a fully manual choke, you'll soon learn how to use it but basically on the first start of the day, pull it all the way out before starting the engine, then once the engine is running at a fast idle push it back about halfway, and then as the engine warms up over the first mile or so gradually push it all the way back in. You shouldn't need to use it once the engine is warm so it's usually a 'first thing in the morning' job only. Maybe you'll need it if the car sits on a cold day for the 8 hours or so you're at work, but you'll get the hang of it.

Answer 3

The choke phisicaly regulates the fuel air mixture, and helps prevent the car from stalling when the engine is not at normal running temperature (cold).

Start with the choke pulled out, and when the engine has been running normally for a few minutes ease the choke in slowly. If you notice the engine start to misfire, pull it out a little way, and leave it for a few minutes longer before easing it all the way in.

Running with the choke open will cause your engine to run badly and eraticaly, and burn far too much of your costly fuel, it will also force your emissions up drasticaly. You should close the choke as soon as practicable on every journey.
In warmer weather, you may not need to use it at all. If you're not happy with it, it is possible to have automatic choke fitted, but on older vehicles it can be difficult to find the equipment anywhere other than a dismantlers yard.

Answer 4

It's to put extra fuel into the engine when you start up the car. The idea is that with the older cars, on a cold day the engine would be very difficult to start up due to the fuel intake being too low, the choke increases the fuel intake, allowing the car to start up easier.

Basically, you should pull out the choke before starting the engine, then say 5 minutes after starting the engine you push the choke back (if you don't your fuel will be drunk right up!).

Answer 5

You will find the right distance to pull it out by where the engine starts best can be 1/4 way or all the way out,when you pull it out you twist it so it will stay where you want it, keep trying to push it in so you can get it in as early as possible while still keeping the engine running smoothly, all cars are different some don't even need the choke at all others want it pushed in straight after the car is started, as I say it is trial and error.

Answer 6

I've had a few metros & found out just to pull it out half way, turn it over till it starts, (pull it all out if it dosn't start) then wait a couple of minutes till the engine doesn't splutter & has warmed up,then push back in the choke, only have to do this in the mornings or when the engine is cold.

Answer 7

You need to pull out the choke when you are starting the car. This causes the car to rev faster, allowing it to warm up. When the car has warmed up after a few minutes driving, you'll feel that the car is starting to run away with you and is getting frisky. At that stage, push the choke in half way. After another few minutes, push it in the whole way.

Answer 8

Pull it 80% or more out to start the car.Then immediately push it about 1/2 way in for 2 or 3 minutes.Then it'll be o-tay to push all the way in. If you forget to push it all the way in (off) your mileage will suffer dramatically.

Answer 9

When you start it up - you pull it out. Once it's going you push it back in. That's it!