2.0 cu - starts but cuts out straight away

[morzov]

Got a problem with my 2.0 air-cooled Devon.It was running fine last week when it suddenly cut out. Restarted it but just kept cutting out. Eventually it just wouldn,t start at all. rac came out and he thought it was a duff distributor- it's running the original spec electronic set up with hall sender.

Distributor was changed for second hand unit and the van started and ran OK for a couple of days then today after running fine for about 3 miles it cut out again with seemingly same symptoms.

It starts OK but unless revved it just cuts out and it seems to want to stall even when being revved.

I'm wondering whether there is any significance in the engine being warmed up both times it has broken down. The van had been idling quite happily this morning while I was testing some lights.


Anyone had this or got any ideas?

Thanks

[Ian and Lins]

Vacuum advance knackered? Could be split in the vaccie hose or split in diaphragm. Pretty easy to check. Oh; and a hell of a lot of recovery mechanics may never have seen a vacuum advance (ask me how I know!).

[morzov]

Thanks - will check the hose but how do I check the diaphragm without removing dizzy? Suppose it's possible that diaphragm in original dizzy went and now this one is going or gone?

[Ian and Lins]

As you say check or just replace the vac hose. Take the top of the dizzy and remove the vac hose from the air inlet. Leave the end on the dizzy. Suck the hose (you're making a 'vacuum') and the rotor arm should move. There is, or should be a hook that connects the vacuum advance unit to the inside of the dizzy and then the rotor arm.

We had very similar problems to yours and it turned out to be a knacked vacuum advance unit.

[morzov]

OK thanks will have a go at that -but also see below.

Bit of a development today in that the van started and kept going. I didn't drive any distance as I didn't want to be stranded.

But it did occur to me that the issue may be connected with the coil and/or the ignition amplifier and that when these get warm then the signal begins to break down. This would fit with the fact that the van has started to misbehave after a few miles driving.