My Engine conks Out

[john hood]

My engine has just starting conking out after a few minutes running. It starts again then conks out. Could this be a problem with the coil ? The timing seems to be ok and I've checked all the spark plug and distributor connnections.

[chesney]

Possibly condensor 'overheating'.

[beero]

Welcome to the forum. When you say after a few minutes running do you mean ticking over or driving along? Is the car in regular use and a fault has developed or are you trying to get it running, that is, re-commissioning it?

[bmcecosse]

Why would it be the coil??

[horologiumwatches]

No, I'm not sure that the coil would be my first point of call. Have you checked all the basics? Is the pump working properly? It could be a problem with fuel supply.

[lambrettalad]

If you rev it hard does it still cut out?

[rayofleamington]

The condenser is there to protect the life of the points - it should still run even without one, but shouldn't be left like that.

Things to check on fuel delivery:
fuel pump, inline fuel filter, running too rich, sticking throttle slide, air leak at carb/ manifold,

Spark:
Closed up points, Burnt points, overheating coil, high resistance connection in the low tension side, intermittent short on the low tension.

(most likely at the start, less common at the end)

[bmcecosse]

Have you ever run an A series without a condenser Ray? It is ESSENTIAL to give the reverse pulse voltage through the coil when the points open - to make the HT spark. Most likely fault here is indeed very weak condenser - assuming there is no fuel delivery restriction. I would change the condenser - and if that doesn't work, test the fuel pump output.

[john hood]

Thanks for the advice guys, think I'll start with the condenser. The engine conks out after a couple of minutes idling so haven't driven it. Revving doesn't seem to make any difference.

[bmcecosse]

Unless the fuel pump is really struggling - would be worth testing it pumping into a container for one minute to see how much it produces.

[chesney]

Just giving advice from my own experiences - twice my Minor conked out and both times a new condensor solved it (well eventually a new old one).

[rayofleamington]

Have you ever run an A series without a condenser Ray?

yes, although not for long.

[john hood]

Thanks for all the advice problem sorted checked the basics and all is now well.

[bmcecosse]

So - which of the 'basics' sorted the problem?? We need feedback to help everyone with a similar problem in future!!