Club 80-90 Forums

coming back from santa pod my 1984 1900 watercooled got to oxford and just cut out at 50 mph, just before it cut it had a few judders then just lost all power . it had been runing fine. it started after a few mins then made it to the end of the m27 and done it again. but started a few mins later and got me home.can anyone tell me what this can be. may thanks jen

could be several things.....

fuel starvation - check filter - check pump and pump push rod
lack of sparks - check coil - leads - and ignition amp cannections, ignition amp normally just dies once, dead.
could even be ignition switch, or a connection in the engine bay

is there anymore inf to help with diagnostics?
did the ignition lights come on when it stopped?
did it turn over but not start when it had died?

its a back to basics job, check for fuel, check for sparks.
intermittent faults are harder to track down, and always when you cant be looking.so make sure you are safe and not on the carridgeway before doing more than calling for help.

Thank you mocki. When i had pulled over i tryed to start it the lights came on but would not turn over, i did have the timing done the day before i left dont know if that has anything to do with it. all the oil and water is fine and no leaks and the temp is fine. when it runs it dont miss a beat. i will look at what you have said fingers crossed its just something simple. many thanks jen

if the timing is too far advanced it can make starting when hot a problem, which maybe a separate issue......
however it wouldnt cause it to stop...... i would be having a visuall check to see if any wires were dislodged during the recent timing adjustment, around the coil and the dissy, and check the dissy was tightened up after adjustment....also check the vac advance pipes are not disconnected.

why was the timing changed , just out of interest?

i had a prob when starting at times i would turn the key the lights would come on but but would not turn it was just dead then try again and it would start. they said the timing was 5 something advanced. since this has benn done it starts ok and idles better. i have just looked at the leads and vac pipe on carb all is connected. i wounder if it could be the ignition switch. but would this cause it to cut out when its running. thanks jen

Try the ignition switch they are a stock item which leads me to think they are prone to failure.

thank you kit i have just looked how to do this think i might aswell replace it while im trying to track this fault down. jen

I am guessing you have already tightened the battery leads?

Yes i have. Lol im no macanic but i try to do most of it on my own, my neighbours think im nuts as im always under it or sat in the engine bay covered in oil and muck. but i enjoy learning what i can plus i use it as my evreyday car, just looked at fule filter that looks mucky so a new one of them to. thanks kit jen

i have just found a blown fuse 30 amp on the line that leads from the main batt to the aux batt could this be part of the prob. jen

That should not affect the starting but with electrics who knows?

thats the split charge fuse, just means your leisure battery has been quite flat and tried to draw more than 30amps from the alternator, so unrelated to the cutting out, unless the lead from the alternator to the battery is loose, or the battery neg terminal is loose........ but i doubt it would cause your cutting outness..... if the ignition lights were on when it cut out, im steering away from the ignition switch.......

were you on a bumpy or uneven road when it did it? ie just gone over big pothole or alike?

Hi mocki no it was a dead flat road. i have been all over the camper today but cant find anything out of place, and it starts fine. im not that good with electrics so if i cant find it i will have to take it to an auto elec. I did have the drive belt off about three weeks ago to fix a water leak on the metal pipe that goes into the thermo housing.jen

just a quick update i have used the van for two days he runs fine and has not cutout, but this morning i looked out to find a patch of water under him, i have looked and the pipe that goes into the thermo housing, one of the big rubber ones feels damp underneath the jubalie clip .i started him and let it get to temp and he dont leak till it has cooled down. the short metal pipe that goes from the cylinder head to the exsaust is also dripping it is not under the rubber pipe so i was woundering should waterbe able to come from there. To be fair the gasket looks very bad and there is puffs of smoke or its where the water is evapurating. jen

i wouldnt panic, there are lots of junctions and joins in these water systems.......either nip the jubliee clip up a couple of turns... now about this pipe that goes from the head to the zorst? not sure where you mean, do you have a pic?

i doubt either of the above has much to do with the engine cutting out and not starting as described in the OP.