First Run Out

[Stairs]

After getting my moggie 'Tommy' back from getting all the mechanics sorted out many, many months ago I plucked up the courage to drive a little further than the end of the road...(Last time all was going well until I i worked out that if you don't have much fuel it doesn't like going uphill, and getting stuck about 200m from my house).

Anyway, apart from the smile on my face as I plodded along, two things I noticed, one was the rev's hanging really high for a long time when changing gear if I had my foot down going up a hill or such, is this me just not knowing how to drive it or does this sound like a something else? When stationary the rev's act as expected.

Then maybe because of the high revving, there was steam coming out of the oil cap very slightly... Should I be really worried or do they tend to overheat when used at high rev's?

I am a total novice at engines so be easy on me!


Thanks

[bmcecosse]

Sounds like the clutch is slipping - which engine is it? And is there some 'free play' at the clutch pedal? If you take off the oil cap and give it a good rev - is there a plume of smoke/fume? What 'mechanical' work was done to the car?

[Stairs]

Thanks for the reply.

The engine had seized when I first had it, so I think they freed it up with some diesel, all the other work was on the brakes, nothing on the gearbox or clutch.

Its a 1000cc engine, the car was born in 1961.

the slipping clutch would make sense, as long as I didn't put my foot down it sort of behaved itself, the peddle wasn't sticking down which is what I thought it was at first.

I will try the oil cap off ASAP and let you know.

[Stairs]

Sounds like the clutch is slipping - which engine is it? And is there some 'free play' at the clutch pedal? If you take off the oil cap and give it a good rev - is there a plume of smoke/fume? What 'mechanical' work was done to the car?

Just started up and given a boot, nothing comes out of the engine with the cap off, didn't get a chance to get up to a high temp as its just died... I am hoping the same fuel issue as my driveway is on an incline... Now just waiting for the misses to get home so I can push it back into the garage!

[SteveClem]

Don't think the driveway slope will be the problem. These cars have been parked on steep driveways in the past!
They don't overheat usually. They are well engineered in that respect. They weren't made with 1000cc engines originally.
Tell us a bit more about the car...

[SteveClem]

Sorry,just checked the background on the forum. We know a bit about it! When you get the glitches sorted take it for a good long run to get your confidence up. I don't use modern cars anymore since I discovered that well sorted classics are reliable,fun and don't depreciate much,or at all.

[Stairs]

Don't think the driveway slope will be the problem. These cars have been parked on steep driveways in the past!
They don't overheat usually. They are well engineered in that respect. They weren't made with 1000cc engines originally.
Tell us a bit more about the car...

I think the driveway is the lack of fuel again, I am guessing the fuel pump in the tank is nearer the front which would kind of make sense.... At least I hope it is!

[bmcecosse]

Well - put some petrol in!

[oliver90owner]

It should be very obvious if short of fuel - the electric pump will be ticking continuously, and not at a slow rate!

RAB

[Stairs]

Well - put some petrol in!

Yep.... Even with my un mechanical background I figured that one out.

[Stairs]

It should be very obvious if short of fuel - the electric pump will be ticking continuously, and not at a slow rate!

RAB

Hmmm, I didn't notice that. I will get some fuel this weekend and try again.