Carb problem ?

[davidsavid]

Hi I wonder if you can help I am running a 1970 2 door saloon standard 1098 engine, the problem I have is that the engine keeps fading and eventually dying if it stops then eventually starts again if I manahe to keep the car going eventually she fires again and goes for another few miles until the same happens. I'm not very mechanically minded but when she runs she goes great so I am guessing the leads plugs etc are ok . I'm thinking that it's a fuel problem ? The petrol seems to be coming through to the filter glass ok I can hear the pump ticking so I'm guessing that's ok ? Is stripping the carburettor down a good idea ? And giving it a good clean ? Is that an easy task ish ?

[panky]

I had exactly the same symptoms last week I remembered discussions on here about in line fuel filters and how unnecessary they are, in fact they can be a source of fuel vaporisation. So stuck at the side of the road, in rush hour traffic, I ripped the in line filter out and connected the pipe direct to the pump suction - it's been absolutely fine since

[bmcecosse]

Yes - get rid of the filter ! But also check if the fuel tank cap has a vent hole - there may b a vacuum in the tank. If still a problem - run a flow test where the pump delivers 2 pints and tell us how long that takes.

[davidsavid]

Ok great I'll try it without filter first and report back .... thank you for the advice

[davidsavid]

Hi chaps, I have tried taking fuel filter off but the same issue I haven't tested the flow rate of petrol but did crank the engine with the fuel line in a jar and there was plenty of juice coming through. I looked in the float chamber and there was fuel in that too. Any thoughts on my next move ?

Thank you in advance

Dave

[panky]

When you switch the ignition on, before starting the engine, can you hear the fuel pump clicking or does it click a couple of times then stop?

[Trickydicky]

From the symptoms it sounds as though it is an ignition problem, it's either the rotor arm or the condenser, try swoping them one at a time to determine where the fault lies. My money would be on the condenser.

[davidsavid]

Yes fuel pump was clicking, ill try her again in the morning and check the fuel pump again , it looks reasonably new but I'm guessing that doesn't mean anything I'll get a new condenser and rotor arm if the problem persists and try swapping them as well.
Thank you

[panky]

And remember Roy's suggestion about the fuel cap, if it's not vented (or vent is blocked) the pump will eventually pull a vacuum stopping the fuel flow. Easy enough to check the next time it cuts out, take the cap off and see if it sucks

[Trickydicky]

I don't think it will be a fuel cap vent issue, from the symptoms described it sounds like a ignition fault.

[davidsavid]

Hi all , thank you for all your help, checked the fuel pump and it's not clicking but can I ask would it click if the float chamber is full ? Because now she won't start at all , I will try and loosen the filler cap and see if I can get her to start. The other thing I want to ask is if it was condenser or rotor arm she would not have run at all would she ? But as it turns out she's not running now anyway . Sorry if I sound lame I could take the car up to my mechanic but I want to try and sort it myself even with my limited mechanical knowledge.

Thanks again
Dave

[Trickydicky]

If the float bowl is full then the fuel pump will not click as it is not pumping fuel.
If the rotor arm or condenser have failed then no the car will not start and or run properly, a sign of them failing is that the car will run for a short time then stop, after a while they will work again but eventually fail completely.
This is why I am sure your problem is ignition related.

[davidsavid]

Hi Richard, ok thank you have ordered new condenser and rotor arm so will start with them and see what happens
Thank you again
I will report back in due course

Dave

[Chipper]

Also, remove and clean out the little filter gauze underneath the fuel pump body, as it may be silted up.

[davidsavid]

Long time between posts haven't really had the time to get Matilda sorted but today I fitted an electronic ignition kit, new leads and new rotor and guess what ..... She fired up and I took her for a spin and so far so good she seems to be running ok fingers crossed we will gracing the roads of pembrokeshire tomorrow

[bmcecosse]

Well done !! Great success - and you did it yourself.

[davidsavid]

I did do it myself and I can't tell you how chuffed I was. She's had a good run today and went like a dream...... So next job now is to take windscreen out and try and fix leaky corners........ Any tips are always welcome

[bmcecosse]

Warm day and new rubber seal. Have you tried a 'quick fix' with Capn Tolleys Creeping Crack Cure ? I haven't tried it - but many seem to swear by it!! http://www.captaintolley.com/

[mogbob]

I can endorse Captain Tolley.Tried it a couple of weeks back.Great stuff.
Goes on ...colour white ..so you can see where it's been applied and then dries clear.Went around the moggies windscreen three times and still plenty left over.No repetition of leaks so far !
From memory the temperature had to be 10 degrees + , so you might have to wait until the weather gets warmer.OK if you've got central heating in the garage...I wish.
Bob

[davidsavid]

Thank you both central heating in garage !! I wish I haven't got a garage