Running rough and cutting out

[Poddington]

Hi,

Had the van for 3 weeks and the probs have started, reckon I've done ok to get this far though thinking back to my last one!

When running, the van has started to make a clicking noise as it turns over which gets faster in line with revs, sounds pretty similar to the rattles they used to use on the footy terraces. Seems to be coming from the right of the engine bay. It has also begun to idle irratically, with the engine shaking a lot. When being driven, van will stall when coming to a stop out of gear. As long as I keep the revs up it keeps going. The van seems to have lost a little power aswel but having only had it a few weeks might just be my mind playing tricks.

My knowledge is pretty limited so all I've looked at was the spark plugs when they come off the dizzy cap but all appeared fine.

Anyone have any suggestions as to what might be causing the probs? Any help much appreciated!

Van is an '86 1.9 DG Watercooled which also runs on LPG - prob is same whether running on petrol or gas

[AngeloEvs]

Can't comment on the noise other than to say tappets can be noisy but should disappear after a good run. Cutting out, poor idle on both LPG and Petrol sounds like you need to check all the ignition components, vacuum advance, timing, idle speed,etc and whether the auto-choke is functioning, condition of air filter. Good sign is to remove the plugs and look at the colour after you have run the van to normal temperature, another indicator would be fuel consumptiom. No easy answer to this other than to familiarise yourself with the 1.9DG by getting a Haynes manual and being methodical. Lots of info in the Club Wiki, should get you started in the meantime.

[Poddington]

Cheers, reckon I'll be doing a fair bit of rooting next weekend, its about time I got to know what I'm messing with!

[clartsonly]

check to see if oil splats are coming out of the oil breather into the air intake duct. and does it idle and tickover okay once it is properly warmed up eg after about a 20 minute run?

some people have had problems with carb heaters etc, air filters blocked, leaker vacuum hoses.

dont go changing everything yet though, mine still does the same everytime I run it anoying yes, but it has been anoying me for 3 years now.