I leave my wagon for weeks at a time whilst i'm away at University. Usually i'd get home from University, eager to go wheeling, pump up my slow punctures, he he, call a mate and get my tracker jump started, cos my old battery was dying, and didnt have the juice to get her going. After this first start, she'll work fine everyday...

Just got back 2day, new battery fitted at xmas, and after leaving it for 3 weeks, it only very just started after lots of turning over.... think i nearly flatened the new battery trying!

Why doesnt it like being started after a few weeks of sleeping?? It starts fine if its used every day...

Is there a simple solution?

Its not a problem all the while i use it daily

thanks
andy

You might have a Draw on your Battery.
I had a Dodge truck like that.
Never did find the problem.

Next time I would try turning the key on for a few seconds before trying to turn it over. Three weeks is enough time for all the fuel pressure to drop and by letting the key on a little bit before cranking, you're giving the fuel pump more time to get the pressure up... Maybe your fuel pump is going bad or the wiring to it is corroded...

do you leave it parked outside while you are away? you could be getting condensation inside the dist cap or water build up in the gas tank. i have a bronco that has been sitting for a while and would be really hard to start after sitting for a few days. i filled it with gas and now it starts fine every time. as digger said it could also be your fuel pump getting weak. try getting somebody to start it every 2 days while you are away and see how it starts when you get back.

derek

Is it carb or EFI? If its carb then it could just be stale petrol.

cool, interesting suggestions...

rhinoman, yup its carb!

disconnect the battery when your leaving for a good ammount of time, then when you get back you can get an idea of whats going on.  Sort of filter out what it could be, atleast you will find out if its a fuel or electirc problem

Amilla

Next time it happens pull one of the spark plugs, see if its wet. If it is smell it, stale petrol has a distinctive smell

Is it that it won't turn over or it won't start. If it won't turnover there is a draw on the battery. If it won't start, just spray some quick start in it it will fire right up. More than likely it is fuel running back to the tank and has to pump back up.

yeah its not starting, it does turn over....

Deffinatley not the battery 'cos i replaced her under a month ago.

Suppose i've gotta wait till i leave her another few weeks to starts identifying the problem... lol

thakns for the help 

I would say spray some carb cleaner into the carb following the directions on the can. Over time, un-stabilized fuel will evaporate, leaving behind a tough varnish-like coating throughout the carb which can cause clogging to the needles and sticking floats. Spray carb cleaner breaks this down to help restore carb function. Fresh fuel will help, too. I would even suggest filling it up with premium for a tank or two to help the engine burn out the stale stuff...

My suggestion earlier is mainly for fuel injected vehicles running an electric fuel pump, not for carbs with mechanical pumps...