Is it the heat?

[sevrien]

Hello,

after some issues with the ignition rotor, my sidevalve ran fine, untill this morning.
She started stuttering an stalling, restarting got harder and harder untill she completely refused.
When the engine was idling, everything seemed to be fine but after about 100m accellerating from zero, she started stuttering.
Fuel pump works but ticks most of the time with an unusual slow tempo.
For a test, I took the fuel filter out of the circuit (could be blocked), but she allready refused to restart.

I have to say, its about 32°C here, so could it be the heat?

[ASL642]

Yes it's the heat. Like us they don't like it too hot! If it starts doing it whilst you are driving and you cannot pullover to stop turn the heater on full and open your windows. This will help draw some of the heat from the engine. Stop as soon as you can and let it cool completely. When it is cool check water levels in radiator

[sevrien]

Well, in that case, it would be a good idea to put an extra fan in the engine bay.
Does anyone have a good solution, type, fitting?

greetings

[ASL642]

I think some people have fitted kenlowe fans, but i'm sorry I would know which one. Try a search in Electrical?

[Declan_Burns]

Not all minors seem to suffer. I never had a problem and have just driven for about an hour and it's 34°C here and humid today. You really stick to those vinyl seats-it's horrible.
Regards
Declan

[MarkyB]

I'd start by checking the points gap.
New points wear down rather fast and give the very symptoms you describe.

The heat might make it worse, but basically it's down to the quality of plastic used for the points heel.

[bmcecosse]

It;s not 'the heat' - look for other problems. If the fuelpump was hammering away 19 to the dozen - then it would 'the vapours' which is heat related - but using heater etc won't help one little bit!

[sevrien]

The points are rather new, but you never know.
I'll replace them and see what happens.

[Declan_Burns]

Might not need replacing-just dress the faces and set the proper gap.
Regards
Declan

[MarkyB]

Don't replace them, adjust them then put a very thin smear of grease on the points cam.
This helps stave off the problem for a bit longer.

[rayofleamington]

Don't replace them, adjust them then put a very thin smear of grease on the points cam.

Some of the curretnly available new points don't have any adjustment left despite being new! I've seen a set reach end of life at 5000 miles
We got that car going again by elongating the adjustment slot and cutting 5mm off the non-pivot end to give clearance to adjust them further. Certainly not possible to do that by the side of the road without side cutters and a small round file..

[MarkyB]

Good grief!
That is desperate, no wonder electronic replacements are so popular.

[David53]

I agree with Roy, doesn't sound like heat problem if your fuel pump was ticking normally. If the engine bay gets too hot you get vaporisation in the inlet manifold and the fuel pumps ticks away madly trying to replace it. Thats the prob I had here in the 40 degree Aussie summer and I cured it with a ceramic coating on the manifold. But if your pump isn't ticking madly it's unlikely to be a heat problem....