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Starting problems... strange though!


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#1 _Ad_

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Posted 26 March 2007 - 12:51 PM

I've got a feeling this will be something simple but I can't quite put a finger on it...

Its a Clubman with an 84 Mayfair 998 A+ with Duceilier dizzy.

Problem
I've had my car not fire on me a number of times now over the last few weeks.

Nothing electrical has been messed with, engine hasn't been touched, and the ignition was fully overhauled at the beginning of the year when it was in for its MOT. (new points, cap, rotor arm, leads)

Basically, I can go the 3/4 mile distance from my house to my nans for example, runs fine, and starts fine again after; but if I go any further and get the engine up to temperature, lets say the 5 mile to the local retail park, I can park up, go to the shop I need to, come out 10 mins later and not all the time but every so often it will not fire.

Heres a list of what I've noticed anyway-

- Only seems to do it recently in warmer weather, although it happened once early in the morning last month when it was cool still.

-It sounds like the starter is spinning free and the bendix isn't engaging when it does it, and when it finally starts after cranking for a while it splutters as opposed to firing 'evenly' so to speak; sounds more like you're starting it with a pull start than electric one!

-I've checked that the plugs aren't getting fouled up and they're perfect, nice biscuit colour.

-I've checked the power to the coil and even fed a live wire to it from the fuse box to double-check that theres a spark and thats all fine.

-Theres no shorts or drains in the electrics.

-It over-runs when the ignition is turned off pretty much 80% of the time, so the timing is fractionally out. Also has a slight misfire and flatspot under acceleration when getting up to temp, although the carb has been tuned as standard by a garage I use when the check valve was replaced.

- It only happens on longer journeys where its got up to temp, short trips up the road and back are fine and it starts 1st time straight away.

I'm fitting a new radiator today as its been running slightly too warm for my liking recently, so I was wondering if this extra heat could be playing a part i.e. points expanding? (if thats possible!)

Any help appreciated, I need my car so could do with it not being in dock, therefore I was hoping I could find out the problem this afternoon while I'm off and try get it sorted.

Cheers :thumbsup:

#2 fikus01

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Posted 26 March 2007 - 05:52 PM

has the choke cable got stuck?? does it still operate properly! also it mite be worth checking the points gap!

#3 Dan

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Posted 26 March 2007 - 11:25 PM

Does the heated air intake work?

If it wasn't related to engine temperature I'd be saying it was the condensor or possibly the coil. Sure you aren't imagining the temperature link?

Running on can be caused by a lot more things than timing, just means that something is out of tune and not just fractionally either. You might find that fixing the starting problem cures the running on. As above both could be choke related. Is the choke definitely allowed to fully relax when the cable is pushed fully home?

#4 _Ad_

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Posted 27 March 2007 - 09:27 PM

Fitted a new condensor and rotor arm as there was slight scorching on the underside of its blade and by the looks of things its sorted it, as its now not running on, no misfire, smooth acceleration and more importantly its firing fine even after going the usual distance it would take for it to not to.

All in all problem solved I reckon!

Fitted a newer rad today aswell and fully flushed the system which seems to have done the trick temp. wise.

Cheers for your help! :D




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