Hi Guys, Came across this Group a while back and it has been very
useful. Most of the answers or queries i had or needed i have got...
but this one is new, i think i might know the answer but thought you
guys might have a better idea.
Anyway, I have a 89 Mayfair 998cc. All fairly standard apart from the
exterior (nice amount of chrome and alloys etc) plus i have fitted a
Stage one kit made up of a SS LCB, Mini Sports Inlet, RC40 2Box System,
K&N Cone Filter and a AYB Needle (which is working very well). The
whole of the Ignition system is brand new complete with a Lucas Sports
coil.
Everything has been working 100% but the past couple of days i have had
a very annoying problem. Basically the car is running fine, you then
stop at a junction etc and the revs die!! Restarting is a bit of a
chore, ie it doesnt really want to but it always does. I will rev it to
try and clear it and the revs again will just drop and stall. When you
restart it you get a moment where you can rev it hard and get some
acceleration but most the time it will die!!
Weird thing is that its intermittant!! leave it for a bit and it will
act like nothing happened. So calling the AA or similar would be
useless. Im thinking its a sticky Float on the Carb (which is a HS4).
If this is the case, do i just have to remove the float via the pin and
grease it up??
Sorry for the ramble but any advice would be appreciated.
John
Rob - 05 May 2005 10:58 GMT
Check the point gap. ( Most likely closed)
90% of all problems are the ignition system after you make sure thats
all correct then look at the fuel system.
Does it have a fuel filter thats blocked?
rm
> Hi Guys, Came across this Group a while back and it has been very
> useful. Most of the answers or queries i had or needed i have got...
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>
> John
ooFunk - 05 May 2005 11:52 GMT
Definately not the points, Had a Mobile Tuning Guy come round and go
through the whole engine, ie the Valve Clearences, Spark Plag Gaps,
Points, Condenser and Carb.
Like i said its intermittant, surely if it was points this wouldnt be
the case.
Im pretty sure its fuel... the tell tell sign i guess is the stink of
it!! i Forgot to mention this before, Is it possible that the float is
sticking up, the pump is still pumping and therefore its pumping the
fuel down the overflow? (Is the second pipe on the float an
overflow??).
I dont have a fuel filter, should i install one? I thought they were
only fitted to injection models, I can understand the benefits, but
will it work ok on a carburetted engine?
miniman - 05 May 2005 18:04 GMT
Check that your dashpot is not sticking open, this would cause the
problems you describe, just take off the air filter and give it a lift
through the carb opening, it should lift up smoothly and drop down
quite slowly all the way, you may have disturbed something when you put
in the new needle, worst case scenario would be the needle rubbing on
the jet as it isn't centred properly.
Hope that helps!
TC - 05 May 2005 18:55 GMT
Don't forget to use a light grade engine oil (same as for the crankcase) in
the dashpot and don't overfill it!
> Check that your dashpot is not sticking open, this would cause the
> problems you describe, just take off the air filter and give it a lift
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Hope that helps!
ooFunk - 05 May 2005 21:47 GMT
Thats a good idea Miniman, ill give that a go in the morning, To be
honest i hadnt considered the internals of the Carb,. The Tuning guy i
had round gave the Carb a really good clean out so they shouldnt be any
Gunk in there that could make it stick. Is there anything to watch out
for in that area?
Should maybe i be thinking about an uprated Spring? In a lot of
"pre-packaged" Stage 1's they often come with one? I assume they are
there to help return the dashpot.
Oil wise, i put in some General oil. Similar to 3 in 1 i guess. I have
seen a few debates on this subject and im not sure which to go with. I
was putting in same as the engine, 20/50 classic, but i found that i
got the symdrome where you lift your foot at high speed and get more
acceleration which im told is due to the dashpot in some way. I guess
though if that is related to the oil then that scenario is better than
the present.
Anymore thoughts are greatly appreciated.
k - 06 May 2005 00:37 GMT
> Thats a good idea Miniman, ill give that a go in the morning, To be
> honest i hadnt considered the internals of the Carb,. The Tuning guy i
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> though if that is related to the oil then that scenario is better than
> the present.
That is caused by a weak mixture and that could be the cause of your other
problems.
keith
> Anymore thoughts are greatly appreciated.
ooFunk - 06 May 2005 01:04 GMT
Wouldnt a weak mixture give this problem all the time though? I pretty
confident the mixture is fine, when its not having one of its funny
five minutes the idle is very smooth and constant, no hunting at all.
ooFunk - 06 May 2005 17:18 GMT
Well i seem to have sorted it... Turns out to be the Valve in the
Float. Was sticking up so no fuel!!. Why would the Revs tend to rise
before cutting out if it was fuel starvation?? Indication that maybe im
running too rich??
Thanks for all the advice and ideas, Still wouldnt mind some feedback
on a few other points i made if anybody has the answers.... ie Fuel
Filter? certainly would have helped in this situation but will it work
ok or too much resistance? also piston spring?
Again Thanks all.... Shes a happy little car once more.
John
John Manders - 07 May 2005 22:49 GMT
> Well i seem to have sorted it... Turns out to be the Valve in the
> Float. Was sticking up so no fuel!!. Why would the Revs tend to rise
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> John
You may be running a little rich. It's easy to check with the piston lifting
pin.
Fuel filter can be fitted. I have run SU's with and without them and found
no difference but I know that others here say they stop the float valve from
getting dirt in it.
The SU piston spring is there to control the mixture not to push the piston
down quicker. A stronger spring gives a richer mixture across the range but
also results in a greater pressure drop across the carb. Stick with the
spring you have if it's set up right.
John