Stalling

[Offshore]

Took Martha out this week for the first time in two weeks owing to bad weather.

Early into the journey she stalled 2 or 3 times. Started OK if not a bit long on cranking the starter than normal. Put it down to being cold engine and not used.

Stalled again after 12 miles and took longer to restart.

Was in a meeting that lasted 2.5 hours. Similar stalling on way home. Dead embarrassing as had a steam engine engineer with me. Many sarcastic comments.

Martha is still on points etc and positive earth. Was serviced by Wares 3000 miles ago. No issues with running till this week.

I'm thinking condenser. Not sure what they put in but I've still got an old spare I took off 18 months ago.

Where do I start? Been noticing recently engine sounds different. Put it down to fuel mixture needing checking but done nothing about it. Could it be the condenser or something else?

[bmcecosse]

' Stalling ' suggests it failed as you were starting away from a stop? Maybe just too low idle speed? Or - did it 'cut out' as you were driving along ? Fuel pump ticking ok ? And yes - could be points/condenser/rotor arm/dizzy cap/HT leads - just about anything really. To avoid further hassles - I suggest a brand new electronic dizzy from the likes of Accuspark/Powerspark. The 45D model is best. Fit and forget!

[SteveClem]

I agree! Worked for me...completely trouble free,touch wood.

[simmitc]

I'm concerned about the sounding different, That could be almost anything including loose exhaust or air filter, or possibly a head gasket starting to fail. Really need some more detailed information about how/when the stalling occurs and what the change in sound is.

[Offshore]

Looks like the weather is breaking here tomorrow and it will be dry enough to go to work in. I will check and adjust the low speed idle as necessary before setting off and report back.

[simmitc]

The idle speed (by definition a low speed) needs to be set with the engine thoroughly warm so it may be easier to do after a drive.

[Offshore]

Hanging my head in shame at this point.

Got round yesterday to exploring why the moggy kept stalling on its last journey.

Opened the bonnet and er oops what's that doing there? Give you one guess who had left the oil filler cap off after topping up oil just before making that last journey.

Embarrassed doesn't come into it.

Did 30 miles yesterday and everything all OK except my embarrassment and shame! Still at least it's something to check if it happens to someone else.

[biomed32uk]

Ooooppps indeed, I have done it but not in a Minor.

Left the filler cap of a Mk3 Cavalier off, being overhead cam it made a huge mess with oil spraying out.

I though it was the car in front until we stopped at some traffic lights, smoke coming up from the back of the bonnet and realising it was us, ordered the wife out with a NOW and don't argue, popped the bonnet and peered carefully through the small gap. No flames, just oil and a fair bit of congestion round the traffic lights.

[bmcecosse]

Well done for owning up...

[Offshore]

Couldn't not respond Bmcecosse. Perhaps I should have a look at the problem before posting next time!