She keeps cutting out

Post by **wackos00** » 03 Nov 2006, 10:53

Hi all, need to rack your brains...
I have 1982 2l AC. she keeps cutting out after about 2 to 10 mins of running, then she wont start again for about 20 mins, then cuts out again after 2 to 10 mins.

So far I have -
Drained carbs (3 times) - thought there may be water or muck in them
Changed the petrol and air filter and fitted a new coil (all of which needed doing anyway)
Cheaked the fuel line - all seams good.
From looking in the carbs they seam fine.

When the engin cuts out, I have tested it and I am getting a spark, and fuel is being pumped into the carbs.

Does anyone have any bright ideas cos I am out of them! Or is my only choice bite the bullet and get her to a mechanic?

If anyone is in the Norwich area and has 2 mins to take a look im sure it would be worth a pint or two!

Cheers,

Jack

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 03 Nov 2006, 16:07

Has classic symptoms of a knacked HT coil, works OK until it warms up, then fails. If you let it cool down it starts right up, then does it again. But don`t take my word for it if it`s not that

(although I have seen lots of `em do this)

Post by **Bowton Lad** » 03 Nov 2006, 16:46

wackos00 wrote: Changed the petrol and air filter and fitted a new coil (all of which needed doing anyway) (

Erm....Westy owd lad, looks like wackos00 has already changed the coil.
So presumably it must be something else causing the problem?

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 03 Nov 2006, 16:50

Sorry mate, didn`t read it properly

Still has all the symptoms though. My mate had trouble with a new coil on his kit-car, fancy shiny coil from Deemon Tweeks, turned out to be duff, found this out after it stranded us in the freezing cold for an hour. Put an old Reliant one on it to try it and it`s still there now (with a shiny cover on it made from a coke can

)

Post by **Bowton Lad** » 03 Nov 2006, 17:15

Westy.Club.Joker wrote: My mate had trouble with a new coil on his kit-car, fancy shiny coil from Deemon Tweeks,......... and it`s still there now (with a shiny cover on it made from a coke can )

The Coke can with the ends removed fitted over the coil was the 'in thing'
in the late 70's. If you went to VW Action back then you would see dozens of Beetles with them fiitted.

Back to Wackos' problem. I am wondering if his new coil really was 'new' as opposed to new to his van ie: secondhand? If it was brand new it is possible it could be faulty & that would fit in with your diagnosis. I had thought it may be something to do with the auto choke but I'm not too sure now.

Post by **Dubstar** » 03 Nov 2006, 18:08

I had a problem on a car a few years ago with it cutting out and it was the engine earth strap. It was nearly rotted through and had a really poor chassis connection. Could be that?

Post by **wackos00** » 05 Nov 2006, 10:47

Hi guys thanks for your thoughts, The coil was brand new although it had been kicking around for the last 8 months so could have got damaged, I will cheak the engine earth strap and put a brand new coil on asap.

Any more good advice?

Jack

Post by **ermie571** » 06 Nov 2006, 10:10

My air cooled was worse....would run til it got warm, then at any slowing down would stall and not restart. Dreaded traffic jams....

Anyway, turned out it had bad cylinder pressure all round and was leaking air. However, if it was running (ie moving) it would not cut out - just when we were slowing down or stopping. If I kept the revs it would work for a while, but would eventually struggle then die, even with blipping the throttle.

I have learned much about the 2lt cu engine in my 2 years of ownership - generally many different ways in which it won't work properly!! Scoobs is currently belting around the place on 3 cylinders...oh well, another job looms!

Emma

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