Checking the Basics , what do they mean ?

[Fritz]

If someone said to you if your motor was not running like it should 'check the basics' what would you be looking at first ?

Regards


Fritz,,,,,,,

[R0B]

spark plugs&leads.dizzy cap.rotor arm.

[Red Westie]

Generally that means......has it got a spark.....is it getting fuel....has it got compression....but then thats basic basic.

Martin

[ghost123uk]

I would add check for air leaks around the inlet manifold including the vacuum pipes from carb and the servo hose (often they get leaky - this makes the engine run a bit rough and of course can affect your brakes )

[hammy44]

as john says vacumn pipes mine has not been running so good done plugs rotor arm distributer cap plug leeds and eventually vacumn pipes weheeee it now going perfect.ready for some hols now

[Aidan]

fuel air spark, lubricant, coolant, timing

[Fritz]

The reason I am asking is because my van recently developed a hesitation/miss fire which could lead to a frightening flat spot when pulling away from junctions/roundabouts etc. Once the engine was warm it seemed to disappear,,,,,,,? But you could always nurse it to allow you to get going ......at a higher RPM the fault was none exsistant ...

I was thinking perhaps the ignition leads or the coil was shot, but it also felt like a fuel starvation problem ...

This has been getting gradually worse till the other morning when it would not start at all, so the lid had to be lifted . I thought I would go for the obvious so the dizzy cap was un clipped for me to find it full of moisture,,,on closer inspection the carbon centre brush had erroded away......BINGO found it in one.

I simply fitted a spare I have been carrying around for the last 3 years, and now it is running better than ever......

Thanks for your suggestions all the same...


Regards


Fritz,,,,,,