Page 1 of 1

Random losses of power

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:04 pm
by TheLaird
Hello all, it's been a year since the Winchester had break down troubles so I guess I was over due some punishment.

Basically he keeps losing all power and dieing on me randomly, the first time was at the dartford tunnel so you can imagine what fun that was.

He starts up again straight away when I pull the starter and runs normally for a while before launching into another sputtering fit.

I've replaced the coil and fitted a new rotor arm I'm going to fit some new distributor points tomorrow but I was just wondering what other things it could be as it's got me a bit mystified.

Thanks
Dan

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:13 pm
by Orkney
Fuel pump points - I'd bet on it if i could afford to bet :-)
happened on mine, would just die, time i'd pulled over turn teh starter and it would go again.

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:17 pm
by TheLaird
Ah I'd not thought of the fuel pump, I'll give it a look in the morning. Would giving them a clean be enough to sort it?

Cheers
Dan

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:19 pm
by dalebrignall
have a look at the filter in the bottom of the pump might be full of crud

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:22 pm
by alex_holden
TheLaird wrote:Ah I'd not thought of the fuel pump, I'll give it a look in the morning. Would giving them a clean be enough to sort it?
It depends if they're worn out or just dirty. Take the dust cap off and check if there are any contacts left.

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:24 pm
by Orkney
It migth keep you going for a while - best tool for that is one of those thin metal diamond nailfiles believe it or not.

Do what Dale said first though the filter migth be a suspect too.

I didn't enjoy replacing mine as a first attempt at them but it cured the problem - it happened not long after getting the car so had absolutely no trust or confidence in it after the first few times.
Replacement pump points did the trick though.

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:35 pm
by TheLaird
Hello all,

He's operational again after much fun and frolics, I started by cleaning the old points but ordered some new ones anyway, after faltering again I put the new points in and there's not been a jot of trouble since.

Thanks for all your help

Dan

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:20 pm
by MoggyTech
Thanks for the feedback. Always nice to know the cause and the fix.
Happy Motoring.