Solex PII-4s/912 only starts with Ether

[bugguy1967]

I know nothing about these carburetors, but a friend told me his 912 won't start unless he sprays starting fluid down the barrels. After that, the car runs fine. The engine is the standard 1.6 that comes with the 912. I can't remember the year right now, but it has the solex PII-4s. Anyone know what the problem could be?
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"A petrol engine can start readily, run smoothly and give every appearance of being in good order, without necessarily being in good tune." - Colin Campbell, "The Sportscar Engine"

[subhuman]

accelerator pumps bad? Look down the barrels with the engine off and move the accelerator linkage and see if gas is being shot down them!
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63 restomod build
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1963 type1
2002 Subaru Wrx

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[jt912]

Make combination if a mechanical fuel pump, years of use and lack of the phenolic spacer can make these cars hard to start. It is common for the bowls to empty from either sitting, leaking, or evaporation from heat. With a mechanical (stock) pump, one must turn over the motor to fill the bowls before it will fire. This can take awhile and probably isn't the best thing for the starter motor. Some add an electric fuel pump which fills the bowl quickly. Some add a primer bulb if they don't want to go the electrical route. Some resort to starting fluid which I have read is not the best for the motor. A couple attempted firings with starting fluid is usually enough engine rotation to fill the bowls then you are good to go. There may also be other factors at play too.