Why won't my Daihatsu Charade start after it sits for a few days?

Short answer: If your Charade won't start after sitting for a few days but runs once you pour a little fuel down the carburetor, the carb bowl is draining while it sits. Look for a leak under the carburetor and check that the fuel pump refills it. If you find oil in the coolant on an automatic, check the transmission fluid first. A leaking transmission cooler in the radiator can look just like a head gasket problem.

Symptom: The car won't start after sitting two or more days, or the coolant has oil in it.

What to check first

1. Put a white towel under the carb and check for drips over a day.
2. Turn the key to ON for a few seconds before cranking to let the pump fill the carb.
3. Look at the fuel filter right after it fails to start. Empty means a fuel delivery problem.
4. If there's oil in the coolant, check the transmission fluid level and color.
5. Have a shop pressure-test the cooling system.

Likely causes

1. Carburetor bowl draining or leaking. The bowl is a small fuel reservoir in the carburetor. If it leaks or drains while parked, the engine has no fuel to start.
2. Fuel pump not refilling the carburetor. If the pump or a check valve is weak, the carb stays empty until you prime it by hand.
3. Leaking transmission cooler in the radiator. On automatics, the transmission fluid is cooled in the radiator. If the cooler leaks, fluid ends up in the coolant and looks like oil.
4. Head gasket or cracked head. This seal sits between the engine block and cylinder head. If it fails, or the head cracks, oil and coolant mix.

What it usually costs

Owners didn't post prices.

Is it safe to keep driving?

A carb that leaks fuel is a fire risk, so fix it. Oil in the coolant can ruin the engine or transmission, so stop driving until you know the source.

DIY or shop?

Carb leak checks and priming are DIY. A radiator or head gasket is a shop job unless you're experienced.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: The only Daihatsu recall that matched our search is 10V083000, which covers the 1990-1992 Rocky SUV (its fuel vapor check valve), not the Charade. NHTSA lists other Daihatsu recalls (89V213000, 95V103010) that don't match this problem. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Daihatsu left the US market in 1992, so getting recall work done now may be hard.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 3 keyword-matched complaints for Daihatsu Charade and Rocky 1988–1992 (of 15 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-29; keywords: overheat, coolant, oil, o2, oxygen, fuel, stall) (NHTSA returned no data for 8 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In Petrol Problem in Charade on Car Talk, a 1986 Charade owner said the car wouldn't start after sitting two or more days, and the fuel filter looked empty until the carb was primed. Members suspected a leak at the bottom of the carb bowl and a check valve, and suggested turning on the ignition to let the fuel pump refill the carb before cranking.
• In Oil in the coolant, Daihatsu Charade on Car Talk, an Australian Charade owner found lots of oil in the coolant. Members said that with an automatic, the transmission cooler in the radiator could be leaking and to check the transmission fluid. One said oil in the coolant isn't the usual head gasket sign and mentioned a cracked block or head as other causes.

Quick tip

These cars are rare in the US now. Join an owners' group early to find parts.

Vehicle focus: Daihatsu Charade hatchback and sedan, sold in the US 1988-1992 (the owner threads include an older 1986 car and an Australian car).

Safety / mechanic note

Fuel leaks and overheating are safety items. Verify with a mechanic.