12 replies to this topic

[Alex Hawkins]

first of all when i reved past about 3k revs it would make an awful skreetching noise which i think was the fan belt, then it started being very sluggish and luggy when at low revs and sounded (cool) like a tractor. Then it started back firing, so i would push my clutch in and rev the hell out of it assuming it had something blocking the carb or fuel filter. The it got worse over about a mile until eventually, with my foot to the floor it would cough at 1000 rpm for hardly any distance and die. all the while it would be back firing like mad.

 

its a 998cc, any ideas?

[rikSTAR]

Sounds like points need re-adjusting?

[daenesh]

check your points in the distributor.. the gaps could have ran and there is a possibility your condenser(silver tube like thing in the distributor) has failed.. at which point needs replacing.. the last time this happened to me it was the condenser unit.. so its worth changing it if you haven't recently.

[Alex Hawkins]

also it wont drive more than a mile without overheating?

[KernowCooper]

I would compression check it sounds possible head gasket? have you run it with the cap off, and checked if there is any oil in the water or white mayo under the rocker cover. My next move would be a compression check

[jaydee]

Its not the points, do a compression test asap and sort the fan belt issue

[Alex Hawkins]

im fairly new to this "do it yourself" thing, how do i do a compression check? and i know nothing of the cap or oil, pictures videos or guides would be greatly appreciated 

[KernowCooper]

You need a compression tester and remove the spark plugs and screw the tester in each cylinder and with the throttle held fully open you crank the car over until the tester wont register any higher reading and you repeat this on all 4 cylinders and note the readings, Depending on the readings which might show a low reading between cyl 2/3 the head will have to come off and a new gasket fitted.

[Alex Hawkins]

will it be doin any damage driving it on low compression? once the new gasket is fitted will the compression return

[Alex Hawkins]

as iv been driving it to and from work 

[wile e coyote]

Appear to be jumping straight to the HG conclusion..... compression test always handy but..... is it losing coolant? (if it isn't and there's no white smoke out of the exhaust when reasonably up to temp & minimal gungy mayo in the cap then probably ok) check particularly around the water pump pulley, if it's come on suddely your belt squeal could be a gone water pump which would play towards the overheat, could equally be a thermostat that's given up the ghost......

 

Conking out when hot  / overheating may be condenser failing....

 

Plenty of possibilities given the limited info so don't jump straight to pulling the head off just yet....

& driving on a gone HG - decidely unhealthy for your engine....

 

 

[Alex Hawkins]

right no white stuff on or near the cap, is it like a mayo or foamy? either way there is non, iv ordered a new distributor cap and rotar arm in hope this will fix it, any other suggestions, really trying to avoid taking the head off 

[Alex_B]

Well there is no need to take the head off till its been compression tested, the tester is only about £20 from hellfrauds or the like and that will rule out or not the head gasket, no need to remove the head if good compression on all 4. 

that would be the first thing I would try :)