Redex problem ??

[miked]

I had a breakdown at the weekend in my S4 (Stombergs).

I have used a dose of Redex in the tank on the last two tanks.

Was driving and noticed irregular tickover at the lights. Then loss of power. Then went off two cylinder and started to die.

Investigation revealed 4 dry clean plugs. Pulled air box off. Lifted rear slide (suspected I had a diaphram gone). As needle came up petrol squirted up the jet hole. Front was fine. Did a road side strip down and found what I first thought was some plastic bag in the float chamber. It had obviously caused the float vavle problems. I then removed the big brass cover from main needle valve and found that there was surface film of this stuff that I scraped off. It was not plastic bag but some kind of peel or skin. My car is clean, not a shed.

Unless anybody can tell me different it would appear that the action of the Redex has losened some kind of hardened on film. I would have thought redex would have disolved rather than lifted in pieces.

Got it back together and got home fine. Had to cut pieces out of the swelled "O" rings to re build. I will go through both now in the comfort of the garage.

Her in doors has me down as a meddler with the Redex. Looks like she is right. Had I got more fuel though the flooding carb (without the bit that blocked the needle valve) I could have been looking at a bang and possible head gasket job (I believe).

Anybody had simialar or am I just unlucky. Could it be Octane booster or is it petrol build up.

Mike

[elans3]

Mike,
I've used Redex for thirty odd years and never had a problem, neither in Elan's, Escort Twincams and Lotus Cortinas. Also in numerous rally cars with twin sidedraughts. I'm struggling to see how the link to Redex can be made, apart from coincidence, especially as the recommended dosage gives such a small dilution.
Are you sure that the tank hasn't had a coating put on the inside in a previous life ? I'd look elsewhere be you blame the Redex,
Regards
elans3

[miked]

elans3

I agree, but this skin was formed on the internals of the carb, so did develope there. Have not stripped the other yet. So it is a build up of something that decided to shed it's skin.
I have used it for years without a problem.

Mike