Loss of power problems

Post by **ding-dang-dhu** » 04 Jan 2008, 08:51

Driving to work this morning I had a couple of nasty near misses. The engine died on my while in 3rd. With a lorry right up my behind

I coasted into the side of the road, switched off the engine, lights and wipers. Started up ok and revved the engine. Everything was fine. I set off, feeling the engine was quite perky untill I had to change to 3rd, when it died at a roundabout 400 yards from where I had started from. The same thing happened, the battery light and temp light came on loss of power but the engine was still running.....just.

I managed it get it started, first time, and reached work with no more hassle. It was heavy rain while this was happening, would that be a factor?

I used it last night with no problems in snow (had lots of fun with it, getting it to slide round corners

) and apart from some starting problems a few weeks back in extreme cold, it starts fine.

Anyone have an idea what I should be checking?

Thanks in advance

Pete

Post by **DiscoDave** » 04 Jan 2008, 09:46

have a look under it for anything that is or could be getting caught up in the gear linkage in 3rd gear, earth straps nice and tight etc, i could be wrong but to me this sounds like electrical!

Post by **ding-dang-dhu** » 04 Jan 2008, 11:41

Thanks for that Dave, if the biddy rain and snow stop during lunch I will have a look.

Post by **ringo** » 04 Jan 2008, 11:46

What engine is it?

Post by **ding-dang-dhu** » 04 Jan 2008, 11:54

Aye should have said, its a 1900 water cooled, 5 speed.

Never had a car die on me while driving, most upsetting. Then start first time, after it dies. When in 3rd my foot was hard to the floor, with no result. Yet when I re-started it, it was pulling strong. Confusing me totally.

Electrical fault sounds like my first port of call.....

Post by **Dubstar** » 04 Jan 2008, 12:56

It does this sometimes on my Aircooled when I'm on petrol-normally run on LPG. I think it could be water in the tank, maybe through the filler seal. Not took mine off yet but it looks pretty wasted. When I'm driving it feels like there's no power one minute, then like I've switched on the nitros oxide next.

Post by **Louey** » 04 Jan 2008, 13:17

fuel cut off solenoid on the carb - do the 1900s have one of these. Could be loose. Also, check your main electrical connections. You don't have a huge bunch of keys do you?? If so it can wear out your ignition switch contacts because of the weight swinging around

Post by **ding-dang-dhu** » 04 Jan 2008, 14:14

Louey wrote:You don't have a huge bunch of keys do you?? If so it can wear out your ignition switch contacts because of the weight swinging around

As it happens I do........... Feck!

Post by **Louey** » 04 Jan 2008, 14:25

get a volt meter and check all of the contacts on the ignition, starter, battery and main earths (battery, engine and Gearbox)

I mentioned the keys because the ignitions switches are about 20 years old and do eventually wear

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 04 Jan 2008, 15:12

Spray the coil, leads and dizzy cap with WD40 or similar moisture dispersant. Sounds like what used to happen to ours .... have you got the tinware round the bottom of the engine bay ? Our's was missing causing spray to hit the critical ignition components.

And WHO'S bright idea was it to put the coil EXACTLY where the spray from the inside of the rear wheel lands ?

Ian.

Post by **ding-dang-dhu** » 05 Jan 2008, 10:29

Ian Hulley wrote:Spray the coil, leads and dizzy cap with WD40 or similar moisture dispersant. Sounds like what used to happen to ours .... have you got the tinware round the bottom of the engine bay ? Our's was missing causing spray to hit the critical ignition components.

And WHO'S bright idea was it to put the coil EXACTLY where the spray from the inside of the rear wheel lands ?

Ian.

Sprayed the above, tinware is intact......phew.

The fuel filter is on the mucky side so will pop into town and get a new one.

Then on to the scrappy to find a fan switch. Long shot I know.....

Thanks for all your help.........oh and reduced my bunch of keys

Post by **ding-dang-dhu** » 05 Jan 2008, 13:42

So.......back from the breakers with an old Polo fan switch which worked!!! I now have blown air in my t25, how happy am I?

Also picked up fuel filter the clear plastic one with the yellow vains. Just waiting for the engine to cool before I replace that.

So as it so often goes, fixed a couple of problems, just to be replaced with a new one

Getting reverse is almost impossible and changing down to 3rd is not very clever either. Cr*p!

Can I adjust 'something' or am I goosed?

Away to have a bacon butty and try my best to understand my Haynes book.

Again thanks for all your help

*Butty and book no good. After changing the filter, petrol not now getting to engine......the pump is not drawing petrol........off to the pub

Post by **ding-dang-dhu** » 07 Jan 2008, 07:27

Wee update,

Still no luck in getting it started. Suspect fuel pump problem but not sure. I managed to run the bettery flat while trying o start the van so just waiting for it to be recharged. No fuel is getting into the fuel filter in the engine bay, jusr like Edmundator.

Is this a common problem? Would any fuel pump do the same job?

Starting to get very frustrated with it, I mean all I did was swap a small peice of plastic