1500 thermostart?

[brady]

I am not sure how to use the cold weather starting system. I have been using the decomp lever but have not filled the thermostart bottle. I have not filled the bottle because my understanding is that to operate it the key should be turned back to the left. My key will not turn to the left when inserted. What am I doing wrong? ( It started at 8 degrees but had to run decomp and crank longer than I was comfortable with doing) Thanks Joe

 

[lens12]

You may have a seperate switch. See where the wire from the thermostart goes.

 

[gbirky]

It is quite likely that the thermostart has not been used in quite a long time. Before filling the reservoir, take the thermostart plug out of the intake manifold and clean it up a bit. I just soaked mine in some diesel fuel for a day or two to get the gunk out. Then reinstall it, fill the reseroir and see if it works. I'm not completely familiar with the 1500, but you should be able to remove the air cleaner and see into the intake manifold. If you can figure out how to energize the thermostart, energize it while looking in the manifold. Within a few seconds, you should hear a sizzling niose, and eventually a small fire should light in the manifold. If neither happens, then the thermostart isn't working.