Engine Spluttering, Intermittent Drops in Power

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fresco3000
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Engine Spluttering, Intermittent Drops in Power

Post by fresco3000 »

Hi Guys,

Just did 2hrs on the M25 backed up after two accidents averaging 5mph. She didn’t overheat but just as the traffic cleared i felt irregular power issues.

Pulled over and the engine is shaking at times.

Recently did full service and she had been running well.

Any ideas what I might be up against?
1986 Caravelle GL - Water Cooled - Petrol 2000cc - 5 Speed

Stesaw
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Re: Engine Spluttering, Intermittent Drops in Power

Post by Stesaw »

What engine you got? stock or swapped?
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
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fresco3000
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Re: Engine Spluttering, Intermittent Drops in Power

Post by fresco3000 »

Think it’s stocked.

Image


2ltr watercooled.
1986 Caravelle GL - Water Cooled - Petrol 2000cc - 5 Speed

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Robsey
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Re: Engine Spluttering, Intermittent Drops in Power

Post by Robsey »

If it is 2 litre and water cooled, then it is not stock.

2.0 litre was air cooled.

Water cooled is either 1.9 or 2.1... unless you have had the 1.9 bored out.

I suspect it is a 1.9 dg

The engine code prefixes the engine number on the block.
1983 Tin Top with a poorly DF and 4 speed DT box.
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fresco3000
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Re: Engine Spluttering, Intermittent Drops in Power

Post by fresco3000 »

Log book says 2ltr.

Made it to Hastings on a wing and prayer. Kangaroo petrol, misfires, engine cutting out at every stop.

Need to sort this in the morning.

Bad plug? They were just changed. Would all that time stuck at 5mph on the motorway fry anything?
1986 Caravelle GL - Water Cooled - Petrol 2000cc - 5 Speed

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Re: Engine Spluttering, Intermittent Drops in Power

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Loads of things to check by sound of things, if started after due to stuck in traffic, would check water levels in both tanks, distributor cap and distributor to ensure secure in place, coil and all leads, could be fuel starvation so worth checking pump and filter, some may say halls unit in distributor as has been mentioned in other posts..  Process of elimination I think, one job at a time so that there is no confusion when things start to work again.
Last edited by TONYT25T25 on 27 Aug 2021, 21:24, edited 1 time in total.
1984 Campervan 1.9DG Petrol WBX

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fresco3000
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Re: Engine Spluttering, Intermittent Drops in Power

Post by fresco3000 »

Cheers Tony,

Distributor was just renewed, will check it’s secure.

Wildcard, would the new fuel have had an impact on anything?
1986 Caravelle GL - Water Cooled - Petrol 2000cc - 5 Speed

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Re: Engine Spluttering, Intermittent Drops in Power

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Lots of chat about new fuel E10 (presume thats what you refer to) not sure if this has an impact yet as most problems point to its deterioration of pipes etc over time.
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Re: Engine Spluttering, Intermittent Drops in Power

Post by Stesaw »

Could be carb has muck in it, change your fuel filter or at least check it to see if it's gummed up.
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Re: Engine Spluttering, Intermittent Drops in Power

Post by 300CE »

Also have a feel of the coil to see if it’s hot to touch, if so it will need replacing.

Could possibly have started to break down where you’ve been sitting in traffic.
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fresco3000
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Re: Engine Spluttering, Intermittent Drops in Power

Post by fresco3000 »

Guys,

Thanks for all your advice.

After checking the carb, which was clean, the culprit was wiring to the ignition coil.

Last few issues i’ve had with the van have been cable or connector related. On one hand it’s an easy fix but on the other the fact they are failing has me set on looking at better fittings.

Anyone found better options?
1986 Caravelle GL - Water Cooled - Petrol 2000cc - 5 Speed

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Re: Engine Spluttering, Intermittent Drops in Power

Post by ajsimmo »

I think I've spotted the issue - you have no HT leads. That'll cause a misfire
I see you have the original brake servo braided hose to the manifold. They tend to leak now, (air leaks cause lean/poor running) so I recommend you fit the Brickwerks silicone replacement.

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fresco3000
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Re: Engine Spluttering, Intermittent Drops in Power

Post by fresco3000 »

It was the cable to the ignition coil, did over 400 miles after reconnected without a pip.

Thanks for the tip tho, i’ll replace those.
1986 Caravelle GL - Water Cooled - Petrol 2000cc - 5 Speed

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