30 replies to this topic

[wooly123]

As the title says when im stopped my steering wheel starts vibrating and shaking loads, ive just had my carb cleaned out and its only done it since then. I thought it was just because the engine wasnt warm but then it carried on way into my journey. The engine seems to be getting alot hotter than it did before i had the carb done as well?!
Im also quite down on power but i think this might just be because i was driving into the really strong winds - could this be why the engine was getting a lot hotter because it was having to work a lot harder.
I probably sound really nieve and stupid but won't get any where if i don't ask.

Alex

Edited by wooly123, 10 March 2008 - 05:15 PM.

[Dan]

When you say you've had the carb cleaned out, what exaclty do you mean? SUs don't really need cleaning out. It sounds like whoever did it has done a pretty terrible job of putting it back together. The excess heat and power loss could well indicate that it is running lean and the excessive vibration at idle probably means a low idle speed, do you have a tacho fitted? It needs looking at.

[wooly123]

well the car had been sat for quite a while and kept cutting out randomly because there was some dirt in carb or something, im not really sure. Its not like crazy hot, just a little more than it was. No i dont have a tacho fitted. It still drives fine but isn't quite as responsive or powerful, should i just take it to a different garage and get them to have a look at it?

[Checkmate]

sounds like a misfire. have you checked that your getting spark at all the cylinders? i had this problem a few days ago

[Checkmate]

double post

Edited by Checkmate, 10 March 2008 - 05:34 PM.

[wooly123]

no i havent. i dont really know much about engines - how can i check?

[M44K TS]

remove one spark plug at a time, then plug the ht lead back on. Using something well insulated (thick leather gloves or a set of pliers) hold the tip of the spark plug a tiny bit away form the engine block and get someone to turn the engine over, you should see a spark bridge the gap between the plug and engine.

[wooly123]

ah cheers M44K TS, i thought it was this - did this on my mates mini a while back so should be ok. will do it tomorrow as its dark and raining now.

[minivanman]

Aldi are selling a pack of 4 spark plug testers for a fiver at the moment I think....

[Globule]

Mine shakes when i brake because i have warped discs, i know thats unrelated to the carb but still, it could just be a coincidence that they got warped around the same time

[M44K TS]

have you got solid subframe mounts too, or just had anything like that fitted?

[wooly123]

Mine shakes when i brake because i have warped discs, i know thats unrelated to the carb but still, it could just be a coincidence that they got warped around the same time

Globule i dont think its the discs, because it only starts vibrating when im completly stopped.


i dont think it is the subframe mounts as when i got home i looked in the engine bay and it looked fine, not vibrating loads.

[Kernal H]

Mines a bit lumpy at idle, don't trust the tacho in the car... mines way out! Had a garage do the timing and idle, he set it at 750rpm while the tacho was reading nearer 500rpm. I don't think anything is wrong with the engine, it smooths out at about 1000rpm (according to the tach ) so more like 1250rpm lol

[paulrockliffe]

Mines a bit lumpy at idle, don't trust the tacho in the car... mines way out! Had a garage do the timing and idle, he set it at 750rpm while the tacho was reading nearer 500rpm. I don't think anything is wrong with the engine, it smooths out at about 1000rpm (according to the tach ) so more like 1250rpm lol

How did your garage know the engine was doing 750rpm? You tacho works in a way that it is extremely unlikely for it to be wrong. The only way it would be out was if it is the wrong tacho for the engine, ie it's designed for a 6 cylinder engine, not a 4.

[wooly123]

so should i check that i'm getting spark at all the cylinders and if thats fine go and get my carb checked out. If it is something with the low idle speed is there anything i can do at home to sort it?