Is it my Distributor

Post by **vincenth** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:32 pm

My 71 Traveller started to play up on Sunday after going for a run out. I was going along in 3rd when it 'spluttered' for a barely 1-2 seonds. Changed gear, and it was fine, went up a large hill no problem. Anyway, a few miles later got into some slow traffic and she spluttered again. This time evein if I changed gear or gave it some throttle it kept chugging and then stopped. I pulled over into a layby.

Luckily I had 2 brand new coils (don't ask) so I popped one in and still she wouldn't start. The spark plugs were a few weeks old so no problem there. She wasn't over heating (got a temp gauge) and oild pressure was ok. I have got electronic ignition (Aldon igniter) which is about a year old.

I left it for about 5 minutes, and it started perfectly.

Anybody seen this before. Is it my Distributor ?, it is the original one.

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Post by **alex_holden** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:58 pm

Don't rule out the spark plugs just because they're new...

Post by **Willie** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:07 pm

If you have the parts to hand I would revert to standard ignition system as a way of isolating the electronic ignition as a suspect.

Post by **vincenth** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:21 pm

I am going to replace the plugs this week-end and also the leads and then take it for a spin.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:14 pm

Check the fuel pump as well- those symptoms could well be worn fuel pump points.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 8:14 am

Maybe the dreaded fuel vapourisation - or perhaps a vacuum in the tank - or early fuel pump failing symptoms.

Post by **vincenth** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 9:46 am

I was looking on minormania and I did find the fuel starvation problem which sounded remarkably similar to mine. The pump is a new SU electronic one, about a year old. The fuel pipe from the pump to the carb is not the braided type - it might be worth changing it for a new braided one and also put in an inline filter.

Post by **Willie** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:08 pm

The fuel supply pipe from the pump should be as far away from the manifolds as is possible and I cannot see how fitting a fuel filter there will make any difference if the problem is with the pump. Like all things electronic,as opposed to electromechanical,the problem is that if they go wrong you cannot usually do anything about it except change the item.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 9:55 pm

Test the pump by getting it to pump a pint into a can - and time it!