SWB Posted August 6, 2018 Share Posted August 6, 2018 (edited) Series 3 2 1/4 petrol, Starts perfect, ticks over o.k., can rev like hell when parked up. Drive to the bottom of the road, brake for junction or traffic lights and it just cuts out. Restarts no problem. Any ideas people, or is there something stareing me in the face and I've not seen it?. Edited August 6, 2018 by SWB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lo-fi Posted August 6, 2018 Share Posted August 6, 2018 What are the symptoms when it cuts out? Lumpy? slow? rich/black smoke? Suddenly stops? I'd be taking a good look at the ignition system before moving on to fuel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbarton Posted August 6, 2018 Share Posted August 6, 2018 (edited) Try coasting to a stop, braking hard, braking gently, apply the footbrake when ticking over and see what happens. Check all wiring to dizzy, coil, ignition switch and fuel pump (if electric) for loose connections and rubbing & shorting to earth. Edited August 6, 2018 by rtbarton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWB Posted August 6, 2018 Author Share Posted August 6, 2018 Many thanks for rapid replies. There are no symptons, it just suddenly cuts out a second before coming to a halt. Will check everything as suggested and update later, hopefully with success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted August 6, 2018 Share Posted August 6, 2018 Is it the braking that stops it? Vacuum? Electrical? Do you have servo brakes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWB Posted August 6, 2018 Author Share Posted August 6, 2018 Electronic ignition, servo brakes. Only happens when braking. Can fly up and down the motorway all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbarton Posted August 6, 2018 Share Posted August 6, 2018 18 minutes ago, SWB said: There are no symptons, it just suddenly cuts out a second before coming to a halt. Is the clutch disengaged at this point?, ie are you coasting to a halt? If so, does it stop when you disengage the clutch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordan_meakin Posted August 6, 2018 Share Posted August 6, 2018 Is this a new symptom or have you only recently had this vehicle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigj66 Posted August 6, 2018 Share Posted August 6, 2018 Sounds like an electrical issue, maybe when the brake pedal is pressed a short circuit is created on the feed to the coil or something else. Check around the pedal under the dash for any wiring that could be getting trapped or touching earth when the pedal moves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted August 6, 2018 Share Posted August 6, 2018 I agree. If that doesn't help, then one option would be to blank the servo fitting on the manifold and test IF you are comfortable driving the vehicle without a servo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWB Posted August 6, 2018 Author Share Posted August 6, 2018 Update. Removed spark plugs, checked gaps, O.K. and cleaned, although not that dirty. Checked each plug lead and coil lead, all O.K. Checked distributor cap and rotor arm, both O.K. Removed coil wires, cleaned coil spade terminals. (Although very clean). Checked engine oil level, radiator, brake and clutch master cylinders, also the steering box while I was playing under the bonnet. All fluid levels O.K., although noticed a new rocker cover gasket will need to be fitted soon, hopefully this weekend. Fired up the engine, started first kick. Set off down my road until the junction, changed down through the gears, then applied brakes, came to a halt with the engine running!. Went for a fifteen mile test run, taking many junctions and traffic lights, with no problems. (Up to press). Whatever the problem was I'll never know. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, gratefully received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lo-fi Posted August 6, 2018 Share Posted August 6, 2018 Marginal contact somewhere? Put it down to "a Series thing" Glad you got it sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWB Posted August 28, 2018 Author Share Posted August 28, 2018 Back again for help and inspiration. Was away at the weekend, driving back I couldn't get over 40 mph, it would start kangarooing. Runs at 40 mph easily, but cannot get any faster. Any ideas, pointers and advice will be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbarton Posted August 28, 2018 Share Posted August 28, 2018 Unlikely - but check you're not in 4WD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted August 28, 2018 Share Posted August 28, 2018 Fuel filter blocked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lo-fi Posted August 28, 2018 Share Posted August 28, 2018 I'd say it's running lean, that usually leads to surging under load, but can seem like it's running fine idle or cruise. Furl filter is a good shout, but also worth checking for air leaks round carb, inlet manifold, brake booster etc. What carb is it? Could also be ignition related, though. Are you sure you've got the points set cock on and the timing is correct before you look at fuel stuff? Weak spark can lead to "wuffy" combustion and little power under load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWB Posted August 28, 2018 Author Share Posted August 28, 2018 Electronic ignition fitted, renewed fuel filter on last episode. Not in 4WD, checked again. Webber carb fitted. Fires up no problem, ticks over o.k. revs like hell when on the drive, same as last episode. Will look at everything suggested, many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordan_meakin Posted August 28, 2018 Share Posted August 28, 2018 Check for vacuum leaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fearofweapons Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 we had a similar problem - turned out to be a tiny ( size of a grain of rice ) tree bud that had been sucked into the fuel pipe in the tank and then got stuck. It was just small enough to allow enough fuel past for tick over and short periods of revving on the drive. However go anywhere and the reservoir of fuel in the in line filter got used up and then starved the engine. We found it by working back from the carb until the fuel pipe tank to pump was all that was left. Sucking on the pipe ( out of the tank! ) showed it was blocked. Blasting, against normal fuel flow direction, with an airline ejected the bud and normal service was resumed. I now have a new gauze filter to fit to the fuel pipe in the tank - I wonder how long that will sit on the shelf.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWB Posted October 3, 2018 Author Share Posted October 3, 2018 Hi to all, not been able to update, health probs. Managed to solve the problem at last,..........fuel delivery! Removed fuel pipe before in line fuel filter next to the carb, placed pipe in a large container, turned engine over, not much fuel coming from the pump. Removed fuel pump and found a hell of a lot of play in the actuating arm. Sent off for a new pump (not the blue box of death), free play on the actuating arm exactly the same. Took original pump to bits, made a spacer for the internals, fitted, fired up and will now go over forty, acceleration much better. Thanks to everyone for your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 I still have doubts about your brake vacuum system. The fact that it would always cut out when braking suggests the engine was breathing through the brake servo, bypassing the carb and running too lean. I'm trying to remember where the vacuum hose joins the induction system, before or after the carb. I think it was after, as before wouldn't generate much vacuum on the servo, but any leak in the system would cause lean running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbarton Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 Servo is connected after the carb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted October 7, 2018 Share Posted October 7, 2018 Thanks. That affirms my suspicion of it being the culprit. It was probably the main problem on my wife's Lightweight, which started beautifully even after months of standing, ran like a sewing machine but went to carp as soon as it warmed up and the choke was off. New manifolds, exhaust, carb, complete ignition system and fuel system overhaul (including cleaning out all the pipes) didn't fix it, and it wasn't timing or compression related. Unfortunately it had to be sold for immigration, and the new owner couldn't find the fault either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.