The shame of it!!!!

[what2do]

Just used my van to take my sons to their primary school and I'm now sat in the house too ashamed to venture outdoors.....

At the weekend I noticed that upon start up, it was idling terribly and wanted to stall. To prevent this, I had to keep pumping the throttle to ensure the revs stayed well above idle. After a brief period (approx. 10 minutes, probably less), the problem disappeared and it idled smoothly again and normal throttle was action was resumed.

This morning, same again but I had to pump the throttle harder as there appeared to be a flat spot low down in the rev range. The engine didn't always pick up but instead there would be a pause followed by a BANG as it back fired, this happened several times before entering the vicinity of the said primary school that I shall never dare show my face again (or at least until this afternoon at pick up time!!!). Once in the area of the enclosed car park where many young folk were milling about whilst moms chatted and complimented/berated their off spring, the noise was amplified to worrying proportions.............the looks of fright were too much to bare but I'd just like to say that my kids being what they are, weren't embarrassed, oh no, they laughed their blooming socks off.

Not overjoyed at getting back in the van I pulling out of the play ground for fear of the same style of incident. However, within a brief moment, the choke had. One off and the engine was sweet again - PHEW!

So, ideas on what to look for?

Thanks Mitch.

[Ian and Lins]

Be proud.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPqPDdiiJIw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[what2do]

Be proud.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPqPDdiiJIw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There's a thought..........nope, really ought to get it sorted.

I suppose one method of fixing it would be to turn the radio up through the cold months when it's worse and then turn it down again in late spring!

[dave lfc]

i had the same problem a while back gave a mini service,new plugs,air filter,fuel filter,rotar arm,spark plug leads,fuel filter,and redone the timing,sorted.hope this helps cheers dave

[itchyfeet]

Just a wild stab in the dark but I'm going with vac advance unit on dizzy not working

[what2do]

Just a wild stab in the dark but I'm going with vac advance unit on dizzy not working

a***!!! We know that but is there possibly anything else? Get back to your Sangria & paella!

[itchyfeet]

Possibly loads of things like burnt valve for example but no point worrying until you have fixed the vac unit, ideally need to retime it also.

was this gas or petrol or both?

[what2do]

Gas. Shall try petrol later on and see if it's similar.

[what2do]

Any late entries as to what else may be causing this? Thanks.

[ethelred the ready]

Make sure all ignition parts are in good condition. I had similar problems but reducing plug gap for use with gas and new ignition coil to replace tired original has reduced backfiring to a rare occurence.

[what2do]

Sorted! Purring like a kitten once the vacuum advance unit was replaced. Very quick job only made difficult by the amount of forced required getting the dizzy drive shaft back into the block once a new seal had been fitted. Hoorah!

[itchyfeet]

Well done,
easy when you know how eh?
Did you reset the ignition timing without any problems?

[what2do]

Yes, but like a tit, I forgot to zero the timing gun...............

[itchyfeet]

Yeh been there done that many times
good to see there are other plonkers out there like me