Strange cutting out but no-obvious signs!

Post by **an_avenger** » Sun Dec 07, 2003 12:30 am

Hello all

Frankly I'm going to do a Norman Bates to my car if I can't drive her without any problems! So grab a shower curtain........

Right it only happens when the engine is running at perfect 'normal' temperature - Right I'm driving along at varing speeds and in idle for a very brief period of time i.e traffic lights. But the old bird seems to keep conking out - now i've had a look at the obvious bits and pieces (LT leads on coil, rotor cap on properly, cables in securly, and if there is ample fuel; now all are fine I did suspect that it might be the fuel shortage or air bubble but the float chamber is sufficiently full and my clear in-line fuel filter shows to have loads of fuel! So I dunno what it is! Now interestingly if I start the engine after 10 seconds or so after she conked it, she'll start up again and turn-over and run fine?????????? BIZARRE!!!!! So why does she keep stalling but start no-problem soon after!

Some points to consider - NEW COIL, NEW FUEL PUMP, NEW POINTS & CONDENSER, STALLS EITHER DAY/NIGHT, FULLY CHARGED BATTERY!

Argh - I'm going in-sane, I'm gunna get me a cross-dressing costume, a motel and a few stuffed birds if i can't sort her out! PLEASE!!!!!

Lee & a very naughty car!

Post by **Kevin** » Sun Dec 07, 2003 9:15 am

Its not something silly like the tickover being set too slow and having a weak throttle return spring that sometimes does not always put the throttle in the fully closed position but does at other times.

Post by **Willie** » Sun Dec 07, 2003 4:13 pm

I agree with Kevin, try the ' mixture check'. find the lifting pin
which is underneath the carburretor piston chamber. it is a
small spring loaded pin which,if you lift upwards will raise the
piston. the trick is to take up the free play and then lift the
pin a further 1/16" more. With the engine on tickover and at
normal running temperature the speed should rise momentarily
and then revert to where it was. If the speed goes UP and stays
UP then the mixture nut should be moved UP one flat at a time
until you get the above condition. If the speed goes DOWN,0r
stops, then the mixture nut should go DOWN one flat at a time
and so on.

Post by **Gareth** » Sun Dec 07, 2003 5:18 pm

Make sure that there is enough light oil in the carb' damper, too... that might have an effect?

If it's only momentary, it shouldn't be fuel vapourisation (and what with it being Decemper, and all...) but you never know...

Post by **Matt** » Sun Dec 07, 2003 9:35 pm

I had this problem on my traveller when we got it, i never worked out what it was (But it only happened going up slight inclines), the engine was very worn out at this point, an engine swap took place with a recon one (that i built with my dad) and the problem stopped......

Post by **Willie** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 7:48 pm

Questions An Avenger, did you fit all those new items in an
attempt to cure this stalling problem or did it appear afterwards?
and does it ever cut out other than at tickover?

Post by **d_harris** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 2:01 am

But it only happened going up slight inclines),

Incorrect bro, It happened to me going down the slight hill past Maddy Wilders house. If you remember there was a school of thought that it was an earth strap problem

Post by **alainmoran** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 11:44 am

Is there something stuck in the exhaust?

Maybe a potato, banana, or possibly even a mouse?

Some people like to play practical jokes on others, and shoving a potato up someone's tailpipe is a great way to make the car stall after a few minutes running.

Its almost as good a wheeze as filling the back-box with old engine oil .. which looks just like a set of blown rings to the experienced eye! Until you pull the engine and strip it down that is.

Post by **d_harris** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 11:47 am

Lee, I've just noticed you are in Fareham, Me and Matt are down in Wickham out of term

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 12:13 pm

shoving a potato up someone's tailpipe is a great way to make the car stall after a few minutes running.

If you do that the car will not run at all, or blow the piece out with a bang.

Post by **Matt** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 12:16 pm

or something similar that happened to my dad's mate a "few" years ago.....

He was at the pub, and someone thought it would be a laugh to stick a potato up someones exhaust, he started the car and it split the silencer box! DOH!

Post by **alainmoran** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 12:29 pm

nice ... I've never tried it myself, nobody has yet p*ssed me off enough for me to bother ... the person who told me about it did say to use a piece of potato, so I guess that's why!

Post by **Matt** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 1:14 pm

well you stick the potato on the exhaust and the pipe cuts in to the potato making a perfect seal (i assume - i have never done it - honest!)

Post by **d_harris** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 3:53 pm

That would explain why dads car wouldn't start the other day then matt

Post by **Matt** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 6:43 pm

eh! it didn't start when??????

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 7:02 pm

Matt and Dan the brothers from

That would explain why dads car wouldn't start the other day then

How could you do that to a Moggie

Post by **Matt** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 9:09 pm

*me bows!*

I didn't know you'd met us!!!!!

ITS NOT A MOGGIE!!!!!! its a Saab!

(goes a bit quicker than a moggie......)

Post by **an_avenger** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 11:22 pm

Ahhhh cheers guys - you've been a great help! The parts I listed were installed within a year ago, it hasn't been a direct connection by making a diagnosis! However I will check the throttle cable spring (I have very recently tickled with it about a week before), I know I had to check a blow between the manifold/exhaust collar so I will check tomorrow and I'll do all the other carb checks! Great.....you've made me very happy - MOT retest on Thursday so see me here winging again LOL

!

Dan - yes I live in the town centre of Fareham, If you see me in a green Mog givvus a wave - if you see me tinkering just pop in for a cuppa!

Lee & 'Pidge' (PDG 457G)

Post by **Matt** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 12:19 pm

we have got a white traveller - but you will only see it out of term time! (its in a friends barn while we are at uni)

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 3:50 pm

ITS NOT A MOGGIE!!!!!! its a Saab! (goes a bit quicker than a moggie......)

Not with a Spud up the exhaust it wont, its not one of those smoking

2 stroke jobbies with the freewheel device is it.