can any member help,when i have driven for 4-5 miles, she starts missing
and will cut out, will have problem then restarting,but when cooled down everthing back ok, previous owner fitted magnatronic electronic ignition thingy, and i\'ve fitted new alternator conversion,but had problem prior to this,i\'ve got a feeling it could be coil,also when when i\'m driving for those first couple of miles, no problem at all, any suggestions???? thanks
starts missing and cuts out
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Welcome to the forum! Everyone wants to blame the coil !!! It's almost NEVER the coil - they either work, or don't work at all.
Consider fuel supply first - is the fuel pump ticking when the car stops - or deadly silent ? If not ticking - bang it hard - if it starts ticking then it need points cleaning/new point sfitting. If it IS ticking - take the filler cap off - may be vacuum in the tank - inrush of air will tell you. Or it could be gunge in the tank blocking the inlet to the pipe - fuel tank out to flush i'm afraid. Or maybe just the filter in the base of the pump needs cleaning.
Otherwise - for ignition problems (which are unlikely after 4 miles) could be faulty condenser - try a new one or various other things EXCEPT the coil! Try the fuel remedies first!
If you don't have the Workshop manual - PM me for the link to a free download.
Consider fuel supply first - is the fuel pump ticking when the car stops - or deadly silent ? If not ticking - bang it hard - if it starts ticking then it need points cleaning/new point sfitting. If it IS ticking - take the filler cap off - may be vacuum in the tank - inrush of air will tell you. Or it could be gunge in the tank blocking the inlet to the pipe - fuel tank out to flush i'm afraid. Or maybe just the filter in the base of the pump needs cleaning.
Otherwise - for ignition problems (which are unlikely after 4 miles) could be faulty condenser - try a new one or various other things EXCEPT the coil! Try the fuel remedies first!
If you don't have the Workshop manual - PM me for the link to a free download.
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FlyGuy
- Newbie
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:57 pm
- Location: Sheffield, S. Yorkshire
- MMOC Member: No
I have just had exactly the same experience.
On the way out for a day trip and after 8 miles, it felt as if it was running out of fuel. Spluttered and died. Went to fetch fuel 5l reserve can (although gauge still showing half full) - poured in and restarted. All fine. Parked 200 yards further.
On the way back stopped to refuel and only 8 litters went in ! So probably hadnt run out after all.
Then drove fine for about 5 miles then the engine starts running rough, looses power and finally conked out on a narrow fast road in a gloomy wooded valley ! Rather scary.
Interestingly fuel gauge dropped rapidly to empty and indicators stopped working about 1.5 miles before we ground to a halt.
Called breakdown who were great and turned up within 30 min. And hey presto - it started !
They followed me the last 3 miles home and, although it was a bit rough at times, we made it home.
Breakdown guy thought it was an ignition issue 'probably the coil'. Also engine continued running for 5-10 seconds after switching off.
I'm slightly nervous taking it out again if its going to do this to me regularly....
Will have a look at the fuel pump (which looks quite new). Is that what makes the multiple, slowing clicks when you switch on the ignition ? How do I test it ?
Many thanks for any insights....
On the way out for a day trip and after 8 miles, it felt as if it was running out of fuel. Spluttered and died. Went to fetch fuel 5l reserve can (although gauge still showing half full) - poured in and restarted. All fine. Parked 200 yards further.
On the way back stopped to refuel and only 8 litters went in ! So probably hadnt run out after all.
Then drove fine for about 5 miles then the engine starts running rough, looses power and finally conked out on a narrow fast road in a gloomy wooded valley ! Rather scary.
Interestingly fuel gauge dropped rapidly to empty and indicators stopped working about 1.5 miles before we ground to a halt.
Called breakdown who were great and turned up within 30 min. And hey presto - it started !
They followed me the last 3 miles home and, although it was a bit rough at times, we made it home.
Breakdown guy thought it was an ignition issue 'probably the coil'. Also engine continued running for 5-10 seconds after switching off.
I'm slightly nervous taking it out again if its going to do this to me regularly....
Will have a look at the fuel pump (which looks quite new). Is that what makes the multiple, slowing clicks when you switch on the ignition ? How do I test it ?
Many thanks for any insights....
Yes - that's the 'ticker'! If you're gauge etc fell to zero - there must be an electrical bad connection, however - the ignition and the fuel pump are on a separate circuit from the gauge - so likely not related. Although you should check battery terminal connections - and remove/clean/refit the fuses and clean the little fuse-holder clips.
Your car restarted after a break - and when you released the cap to add fuel - so very likely it is the vacuum or filter/blocked fuel feed problem. But the clue for that is - rapid ticking as the pump struggles to draw fuel. This also occurs with fuel evaporation in the feed line - in hot weather - and I gather southern parts have had a hot day today - unlike us in Ecosseland where it has mostly rained!
Have to laugh at yet another off the cuff diagnosis of 'probably the coil' - it's almost NEVER the coil!! When coils fail - they fail completely - they don't have a resurrection!
Your car restarted after a break - and when you released the cap to add fuel - so very likely it is the vacuum or filter/blocked fuel feed problem. But the clue for that is - rapid ticking as the pump struggles to draw fuel. This also occurs with fuel evaporation in the feed line - in hot weather - and I gather southern parts have had a hot day today - unlike us in Ecosseland where it has mostly rained!
Have to laugh at yet another off the cuff diagnosis of 'probably the coil' - it's almost NEVER the coil!! When coils fail - they fail completely - they don't have a resurrection!
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FlyGuy
- Newbie
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:57 pm
- Location: Sheffield, S. Yorkshire
- MMOC Member: No
Ah.. this is starting to make sense.
When sitting with the engine idling I hear the tick of the pump then the engine shudders (maybe because it was starved of petrol ?) and the pump gives a quick 4-5 ticks. Then teh cycle repeats.
I've just cleaned the filter located under the pump (essentially OK), and the tank lid seems quite loose (I would very much doubt its airtight).
It seemed to run OK after this - but I didnt have the time to test thoroughly.
However I did notice that part of the metal petrol pipe in the engine bay has been replaced with a piece of rubber hose with jubilee clips at each end. I wonder if the hose softens when the engine bay gets hot and air is getting into the feed line ?
Would this result in a similar fuel starvation ?
FG
When sitting with the engine idling I hear the tick of the pump then the engine shudders (maybe because it was starved of petrol ?) and the pump gives a quick 4-5 ticks. Then teh cycle repeats.
I've just cleaned the filter located under the pump (essentially OK), and the tank lid seems quite loose (I would very much doubt its airtight).
It seemed to run OK after this - but I didnt have the time to test thoroughly.
However I did notice that part of the metal petrol pipe in the engine bay has been replaced with a piece of rubber hose with jubilee clips at each end. I wonder if the hose softens when the engine bay gets hot and air is getting into the feed line ?
Would this result in a similar fuel starvation ?
FG