condenser denseness

Post by **tonym911** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:11 pm

My Moggy has started misfiring. Splutters picking up through the gears. Revs OK in neutral but hesitates. Seems to get worse as the journey goes on. Car has electronic ignition and SU electric fuel pump. Have bashed the pump in the approved fashion. Plugs all look good, coil connections look OK, there was a slight grey powdery coating on the distributor end of the central cable that comes in from the coil, so after cleaning the terminal up I put a brand new diz cap on. Question 1: is the thing I am currently looking at a condenser: it's a 20mm x 15mm metal cylinder with about 50mm of black cable coming out of it in a matchbox-sized green Lucas box? Question 2: do cars with electronic ignition actually have condensers? I've taken the diz cap off, taken off the rotor arm, removed the flanged nylon bush with the wires, undone the backing plate and found nothing that looks like a condenser.
Told you I was dense.

Post by **alex_holden** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:19 pm

1. Yes.
2. No.

Post by **tonym911** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:21 pm

Right! So I'll reassemble me distributor then, chuck away this condenser and try and think of something else. Ta.

Post by **MarkyB** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:42 pm

Have you checked the oil in the carb dashpot?
Also how old are the plugs?

Post by **tonym911** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:01 pm

Plugs look nearly new Marky, previous owner (also a Mark!) was very diligent with the servicing. Haven't checked the carb yet. Did just notice that one of the two wires running to the elec ignition module/plate assembly was showing metal so I've wrapped some electrical tape around it. Seemed to start more promptly after that but can't really tell whether it's a proper solution until I've taken it for a longer run tomorrow. Will report back then. Thanks to all so far.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:46 pm

Don't throw away the new condenser - you will need it when ypou convert back to good old reliable Points Ignition! Slight tongue-in-cheek there - but the 'point' is - you can trouble shoot and fix points when they go wrong. Leccy ignition - not so easy. You could try another coil on the engine - if you know what spec coil is supposed to be used with the leccy ignition ?

Post by **tonym911** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:46 pm

Well I guess it's the spec that's on there now, it's a Prince of Darkness item, can't remember the number on it just now but Bull Motif do a replacement for about £12 which seems very good value, at that price I'm tempted to spring for one just for the hell of it. Might also go round the engine bay wrapping electrical tape round all the wiring on a preventative maintenance basis, some of it looks a bit prehistoric.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:50 pm

Could be loose wiring - but I suspect the coil - try another one first!

Post by **tonym911** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:08 pm

Yep, just ordered one from BM, came to £19 odd once the dreaded vat and post had been added but still seems good value for what it is. There are quite a few wires under the bonnet which don't go anywhere, I guess a few of them were made redundant by the elec ignition. I don't get on with electricity. Usually our meetings are signalled by a blue flash, a cloud of smoke and an acrid smell.

Post by **cormorant** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:18 am

I am not sure electronic ignition is a good idea either really best to keep it simple - a Morris is very much 1950's technology, does go wrong from time to time but easy to diagnose and fix. I would revert to standard spec too and take it from there. If the coil is getting very hot by the way this is a sign of failure (of the coil)

Post by **8009STEVE** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 9:05 am

a cloud of smoke

All electrical items work on smoke.

They work fine till the smoke comes out.

Post by **tonym911** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:56 am

8009STEVE wrote:
a cloud of smoke
All electrical items work on smoke. They work fine till the smoke comes out.

That's the thinking behind wrapping all the wires in insulating tape. Keep the smoke in! I'm off to do that right now. I've got the rubber hat on.

Post by **tonym911** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 3:55 pm

Just got back from our test run… oh dear. Engine didn't seem to run nicely on choke from cold, very fluffy and 'rich', then died. Restarted and it seemed OK so we carried on with the test drive. Running ok for five mins then started hesitating again. Put £10 of petrol in, tank now about five eighths full, hesitation gradually worsened until we had to pull over. All leads were connected OK, gave the petrol pump a thump. Coil did feel quite warm when we pulled over, but I'm not sure how warm it's supposed to be. Idling poor, and there was a thrummy hesitation coming off idle which gradually got worse. Started off again but only got half a mile before we had to stop. New problem now too: tailpipe retaining strap has broken. Got a tow behind the classic old Citroen van of another mate who thankfully came past at just the right moment.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:15 pm

Can you not borrow a coil for a test run ? I never go without a spare - that way, the one on the car never gives any trouble.

Post by **tonym911** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:21 pm

Yes, I see what you mean. She's now parked up outside my pal's garage/workshop, he'll have a few coils to try, I've got a new one on the way from Bull Motif. I'm hoping this coil diagnosis is the answer.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:23 pm

Try an old reliable coil anyway. There have been some comments about the reliability of the new coils being supplied these days. Worth checking it's resistance - should be ~ 3.2 ohms.

Post by **tonym911** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:28 pm

Bull Motif's offering is a 'Superior Quality Ignition Coil' which apparently 'has proved to be the most reliable available on the market'. No more info proferred apart from that though.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:47 pm

Sounds good! Maybe this is the answer to the previous 'dubious' coils that seem to have been going around - from various suppliers - and not necessarily from the one you are using I hasten to add!