mystery??

[Elanconvert]

hi guys.... help needed...
posting here 'coz I suspect fuel supply issue.....

car started on the button after sitting for a week or so.......
went for a drive ...25 mile blast along dual carriageway....didn't miss a beat.
at the other end, had to poodle around some side streets with those infernal sleeping policemen/speed humps, and started hesitating/misfiring.
at some traffic lights [why is it always traffic lights?] cut out completely and wouldn't .restart.
after five minutes, gave up and pushed it round the corner, and continued trying....no sign of life.......
removed plugs, no. 3 slightly black but others ok - not wet.
primed the fuel pump with the rubber bulb widget, opened fuel filler cap, but after another 15 mins of cranking without a single fire, admitted defeat and since I wanted to get home to watch f1 highlights, called breakdown services [autoaid - very good service - highly recommended - inexpensive]
tow-truck booked, decided to give it one more try --- and vroom! fired up immediately, ticked over nicely as if nothing had happened.... ..
cancelled tow truck and blasted home along dual carriageway - didn't miss a beat!

symptoms almost like something over-heating, but temp guage never above 75 [ewp fitted]
this has sometimes happened before e.g. when stopped after filling up with fuel, but not to this extent i.e. maybe 3-4 mins before re-starting......

any ideas? similar experiences?

fred

[lotusfan]

fred

I had a similar problem and spent a huge amount of time doing things to the fuel system all to no effect but changing the coil fixed it. Maybe worth a try. Good luck.

[Mazzini]

What plugs are you using?

[martinbrowning]

Fred, My money is on an electrical issue - maybe coil or condenser?

Martin

[pharriso]

Do you have electronic ignition? some modules warn up then fail

[terryp]

+1 on the coil beginning to break down.

Terry

[Hawksfield]

Hi

Electrics ! especially if you have electronic ignition.

[Grizzly]

Bit hard to diagnose a intermittent fault but you can inspect things like the coil (make sure it's not leaking and it's in the right ohm range)

You haven't said if you have an Electric Ignition? because many moons ago i had a Luminition set up on a Mini that did some thing similar when the control module when south (had a dry joint inside it so would start and stop if you tapped it)

[bulfin]

I had the same problem after an engine rebuild. Tried almost everything and nothing helped. Finally read about the red rotors on this forum. Mine had a black rotor and changed to a red one and the problem disappeared.

Bob

[john.p.clegg]

Rotor,Condenser,Coil..

John

[mbell]

I'd stick the timing light in the car go for a drive. If it happens again connect the timing light to see if the ignition system is working.

If it's fuel I'd consider temporarily fitting fuel pressure gauge so you can see if it's low fuel pressure/flow.

[Elanintheforest]

Most folks are pointing to ignition and I agree.

Talk to this guy and get a set of points, condenser, coil and distributor cap from him. They are the best, and have solved similar problems I've had.

Probably worth putting new HT leads and plugs / caps whilst you're at it!#

Also make sure that you coil is earthed properly, and the engine earths are good.

http://www.distributordoctor.com/

Mark

[512BB]

Fred,

Carry out any swapping of parts, one at a time, then go for your test drive.

If you change loads of parts at the same time, you will not acertain what the duff part was.

Leslie

[Elanconvert]

hi guys.....many thanks for all your replies.......

ignition was my first thought [ I always say '95% of fuel problems are electrical], but because it ran superbly afterr the incident, I thought fuel......also plugs expected to be wet if no spark........

anyway, PO fitted 'Aldon electronic ignition'......checking his notes, he replaced plugs and leads, but not the coil, so will try a new one......any recommendations?

thanks!!

fred

[Elanconvert]

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