Club 80-90 Forums

In the last few days my van has started to stall at traffic lights etc. It runs fine and idles, but when I touch the accelerator to move off it often stalls, and it can take a few attempts to move off without loosing it again. It does seem a bit 'lumpy' at idle, and the problem actually seems to get worse as the engine comes up to temperature. I thought about adjusting the idle speed, but didn't want to fiddle with it, if it was most likely something else.
Oh, the van is an automatic, in case that might be relevant.
Any ideas?
Cheers

Sticky Announcment at Top wrote:To help you when adding a technical question to this forum please make sure you give the following information:

Year of manufacture
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left or right hand drive
transmission type: auto/manual
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if a camper question then conversion type usually helps with interior queries

In the long run giving this type of information can save time and help you more! Cool

Even the garage link doesn't show it, so we'll be assuming...

Lumpy idle, worse when hot, sounds like richness to me. Checked the air-filter lately and inlet pipes presuming your converted 2.5 litre Tdi 5 cylinder diesel has them

Additional information which of course I should have included had I been thinking straight.

It is a 1986
Petrol 1.9
Automatic
RH Drive

Lumpy 'rhythmic' idle usually is richness

Fluttery, 'hunting' idle usually weakness

It's hot weather now and you say its gets even worse when hot...

Try taking the air-filter out and see if it runs better, without stalling... might lead you to a first conclusion, look for anything making it rich... (carb flooding, that sort of thing)...

But of course, the ideal candidate would be the choke mechanism and settings, sticking or whatever 1.9DG auto chokes do... others will be along with their suggestions on this one I hope

as a quick fix i would increase the idle speed a tad as it could just be a bit of wear on something. if it's still lumpy when idling a little quicker more investigation is required but at least it won't stall whilst you find the problem.

Thanks for the tips guys. I have tweaked the idle and its fine again! It is due for MOT, service and all that this month, so will have it checked out properly.
Cheers.

Stalling and fluffy ness at just off idle could be the vac advance unit on the distributor has failed, or the pipes are split etc.. check its working correctly and pipe in good nick and connected..

I have the same problem, is an 1.9dg with autobox 1984, mine is fine once its warm, it only stalls in the morning, also I have to pump the accelerator a lot whilst turning over to get her started, I know its carb related but don't know if I'm too rich or too thin?
I've replaced the air filter and given it all a good blow out with wynns carb cleaner, where should I look next?

Sound like your choke isn't working properly MankyMusic

HarryMann wrote:Sound like your choke isn't working properly MankyMusic

thanks for that, I'll check that pull down thingy for a start off.

OK, I just checked the pull down diaphragm and its working OK, what should I check next?

I was going to do a strip and clean job, what do I need to buy from GSF?
is it a

18151 - CARBURETTOR REPAIR KIT - General Use (Fits All 2E3 Carburettors)

or a

18211 - CARBURETTOR FLOAT KIT - General Use (Fits All 2E Carburettors)

many thanks

grrrr can my idle be changed too, I have a solex on my DF this does the same.. although if I start it and let it run for 5 mins, then use it up to an hour later it is fine.

Immediatley check for a leak in the gasket seating the carb to the manifold, and also in the vacuum hose on the carb.
Get it to idle, spray the carb with brake cleaner, if it changes idle speed as a result of spraying, theres the leak.
Mine did this.

actually the problem wasn't there this morning, playing with / cleaning around my choke flap seems to have fixed it, I guess it was just dirty and sticking.

thanks a lot for your help everybody.

I'm still going to give the carb a strip and clean up, any ideas about the parts I mentioned earlier or should I just buy both?

dalmationman wrote:Immediatley check for a leak in the gasket seating the carb to the manifold, and also in the vacuum hose on the carb.
Get it to idle, spray the carb with brake cleaner, if it changes idle speed as a result of spraying, theres the leak.
Mine did this.

Thanks yeah I have already replaced the rubber flange but will try the brake cleaner test.