lack of power failing under load

[android]

Hi I had my first ever breakdown the other day. Basically the engine failed every time I pressed the accelerator but ticked over fine. I was recovered by the AA who couldnt find a problem but said it could be the fuel pump or ignition amp. Took it to my usual garage who couldnt find any problem but after a test run it wasnt reaching top revs/speed and felt lumpy or possibly like there was a flat spot with my foot to the floor. anyone had a similar problem or any ideas what this could be? I've searched the site and wiki and couldnt find anything similar really and am baffled?!

[R0B]

And your engine is?

[Ian Hulley]

And your engine is?

1985 water cooled 1.9df

Could be a fuel starvation issue ? Crap in the inline fuel filter ?

Ian

[android]

Thanks for the reply

checked the fuel filter and didnt have a problem there,seemed to be enough fuel getting through, started and ticked over as usual just struggled when under load. Now this problem seems to have gone but acceleration feels lumpy and even more powerless than usual

[Ian Hulley]

Can't comment on the DF carb but on a Pierburg there's a tiny cone filter in the inlet line on the carb ? Could be a failing coil, they usually start to break down under load ? Or a plug or plug lead ?

Ian

[R0B]

Couldn't read that on my phone.Just noticed.signatures don't show up.

[Ian Hulley]

Couldn't read that on my phone.Just noticed.signatures don't show up.

Give them McVities .....

[jamesc76]

Thanks for the reply

checked the fuel filter and didnt have a problem there,seemed to be enough fuel getting through, started and ticked over as usual just struggled when under load. Now this problem seems to have gone but acceleration feels lumpy and even more powerless than usual

Crap in tank blocking pick up pipe, diconect fuel pipe and blow back into the tank to see if blocked, then RENEW fuel filter, there cheap you cannot look at um an deem them to be passing enough fuel

[boxer]

How do you know it's sending enough fuel through? Had this on an old defender. would start and tickover even rev in neutral but nothing when you asked it to pull away. crap in the fuel line was the answer. Also had similar issues with knackered condensors on coil and points setup.

[Sensible_Steve]

Glad you got yourself recovered.

I should not have stopped in front of that blokes driveway on Marlborough Road when I was being nosey that morning - he was not very happy to have two old campers opposite his gaff!

I had noticed you and your camper have not been on your usual route to work in the morning since then.

Your camper is a similar vintage and engine (1.9 petrol) to mine. If I can be any help let us know. I have a brother and another mate with T25s on my side of town and between us we have takled a quite a few jobs.

Whilst I have had my camper over the past couple of years I have removed my fuel tank, emptied it, painted it, and replaced all the breather pipes filters etc. I have also re-instated the flexible alloy pipes that lead warm air to air box from the exhaust. New Water pipes, new front disks, replaced most of the brake pipes, put extended bolts in the rear hubs, new drive shafts,bearings, the od ball joint, etc. Dropping tank is not such an a*** of a job as you might think, but there is definately a trick to getting it all connected up again.

I have recently done a service, oil, filters, new distributer cap, cleaned spark plugs, etc. And it really has made a difference in this weather.

I am a great believer in getting to know your vehicle by doing your own maintenance, where at all possible. But it does help when you have a few mates around to give you a hand. - Or stand around laughing at you

Cheers

[kevtherev]

I am a great believer in getting to know your vehicle by doing your own maintenance, where at all possible. But it does help when you have a few mates around to give you a hand. - Or stand around laughing at you

Cheers

That's the spirit

[faggie]

theres nothing like hands on experience good on you for having a go most people would just send it to a garage

[Sensible_Steve]

Whats your fuel tank beathers like? Does you smell fuel if you fill her right up to the top?

Have you driven through any deep puddles recently?

You could have water in the fuel?

Water will sink to the bottom of the tank, if you were running low on fuel when it all started to go wrong, you might have been sucking some up.

is there any water in your float bowel?

Just a thought.

I had a bike that had water in the float bowels of the carbs, it would only rev so far before it would splutter - it would idle fine. I emtied the tank an tipped some water out and then put the fuel back in.

[android]

Thanks alot for all the replies and thanks Steve for stopping that morning...thats why these vans and this club is great, so many happy to help peeps

Drove into work this morning and the van started reved and ticked over perfectly but once the accelerator was engaged in gear it started to judder and there was no power at all so it was a steady crawl to work.

[quote="Sensible_Steve"]Whats your fuel tank beathers like? Does you smell fuel if you fill her right up to the top?

Have you driven through any deep puddles recently?

You could have water in the fuel?

Water will sink to the bottom of the tank, if you were running low on fuel when it all started to go wrong, you might have been sucking some up.

is there any water in your float bowel?

Just a thought.

All of the above really, I know my fuel tank is foobard and I've been replacing fuel filters roughly one a year since I've had the van so now its time to get to work on that I think. My main problem with working on the van is I've had knowere to do the work, I'm moving this friday to somewere with a drive and garage so this will change!

I'll be changing the filter tommorow and had a few days to tinker so will keep you informed of the diagnosis

Thanks again!!!

[Sensible_Steve]

All three of us thought we had fuel tank issues, but with us all it was just hoses and breather pipes. We all put the same tanks back again.

All my breather pipes were crumbling to dust.
My brother had a broken plastic fitting on the top of the tank.
My mate Rod had an issue with his filler neck.

All of us replaced all rubber hoses and knackered clips whilst we were under there.

So don't go ordering a tank till you know yours is knackered.

Cheers