4 replies to this topic

[mike.]

Ok over the last 2 days my cars started sort of sluttering/losing power momentarely at i'm driving. It doesn't feel like a misfire and all the ignition system is in perfect condition - Most parts have been replaced and set up within the last few months.

The cars been running fine, the problem has only started over the last 2 days. Yesterday i noticed a quick splutter a couple of times, today it got a little worse when i was on the way to my nans house then went to work and the problem was happening every 30 seconds or so. Sometimes it'll go fine for a couple of minutes, others it'll do it constantly for about 5 seconds - A real problem when pulling away!

I reckon it must be fueling, it feels like the engine is being starved suddenly, but next minute its fine.


Now a couple of weeks ago i made an amature mistake and ran out of petrol completly!

I was sort of expecting it to cause problems because some C**p out of the tank may have been sucked through, but the car ran fine for 2 weeks - The problem has only started now.

Where should i start my checks? I was going to add redex or some wynns carb cleaner stuff to the fuel and let that run through to see if it made a difference but i'm thinking it may be something more serious. A blockage somewhere ot something?

Help

[blacktulip]

check theres oil in the dashpot on the carb first.

[Retro_10s]

Hi mike. If you're certain it's the fuelling system and not electrical (sounds like it could be electrical to me,.. however running the tank dry can cause the symptoms you're describing, so we'll go with that for the time being) this is what I'd do, may seem over kill but by doing all this,.. you can eliminate a lot of possibilities if it doesn't help:

** Attend to the carb,.. clean out the float and needle valve assmembly,.. infact,.. for £7 you can replace the all the gubbins anyway,.. so it's worth doing yearly in my opinion. Then Whip he whole carb off and give the internals a damn good spray with Carb/Brake cleaner or Easy start,... make sure it's all sparkly in there and there are no gritty deposits or brown gummy stuff. Make sure the carb gaskets are okay too. a very light smear of grease helps them seal properly.

** Remove all the fuel lines that you can from the petrol pump onwards and spray them through with cleaner,.. and if you can get a pipe cleaner down there too, all the better.

** Fit a high flowing inline fuel filter, Splice it into the last rubber hose before the carb,.. so you know that only clean and filtered fuel is getting into the float chamber.

**You could also whack some Redex fuel system cleaner/Wynns stuff through next time you top up your tank,.. always put the stuff in first and then add the petrol,.. this way it gets mixed properly. You will notice some smoke if the cleaner works,.. probably black.. don't worry, it's just loosening carbon deposits off the head which get burnt and blown out the exhaust. Go down the motorway for a couple of junctions to give it a good workout.

that's all i can think off at the moment

[mike.]

Right cheers retro. If it were electrical the only thing i can think of is the little cottom bud part under the dizzy cap. I had the cap off today and noticed it was bone dry That couldn't cause these problems could it?

Mikec - Theres plenty of oil in the dashpot, i checked that today too.

Since i've never touched a carb before (apart from removing/refitting one whilst still connected to the manifold) i think i'll leave that till last. Firstly i think i put a full tank in with some fuel system cleaner and take the car for a blast, see if that helps. If that doesn't help i'll have to try cleaning the carb out and things.

My car will be off the road next week while i do bodywork and prep for respraying so that'd be an ideal time to do it, however i don't want to get to the stage where the car isn't drivable to get it to the bodyshop. Maybe i'll do that after its been sprayed.

I'm just wondering before i do all this - Could it actually be to do with running the tank dry? Because i've been running the car for 2 weeks after that and its not skipped a beat. It just seams strange that the effects are being felt 2 weeks after...

[slegersmini]

hmm my girlfriends car is doing something similar although hers sometimes does it on start up.

I have been advised someone at my club has had the same problem and twice it was the coil, so i am going to replace this tomorrow if this does the trick i will let you know!

It seems weird how it just came on suddenly with hers sometimes it even cuts out completely.
and everynow and then you smell fuel but not all the time...

You know if you leave the choke out too long and you turn ur engine off and it tries to refire... it does that as your driving! not good!

I have been told loads of things like checking gaskets near the carb as well, so i have replaced them!


Will keep you posted!

i hope it will work she has been in tears bless her!!

she even threated to sell her one!! i was like noooooo haha