Splutter - Splutter.....

Discuss mechanical problems here.
Forum rules
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
Post Reply
pfgiz
Minor Addict
Posts: 525
Joined: Fri May 01, 2009 10:38 am
Location: St Martins, Shropshire
MMOC Member: No

Splutter - Splutter.....

Post by pfgiz »

Hi....

My wonderful traveller has just started exhibiting the classic signs of an over-rich mixture. IE: car dieing when the throttle is used. Under normal circumstances I've have re-adjusted it but it happend when I was at the in-laws yesterday evening, only there for a few hours, drove there ok but didn't want to come home. Can a carb suddenly start getting rich to this extent without anyone playing with the adjustments?

I've cleaned everything up, plugs, points, jet, dizzy cap, etc. Even fitted the 'spare' fuel pump, my poor sallon :(, all to no avail. Having had nothing but greif whenever I've tried to adjust a carb before, I come before you to ask if there is any other thing that could have happened that would present itself in this way? If not I will have to play with the mixture but wanted to cover bases first.

Thanks guys.
Peter Gisby.

Neil MG
Minor Legend
Posts: 1116
Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2011 8:05 am
Location: Cumbria
MMOC Member: No

Re: Splutter - Splutter.....

Post by Neil MG »

Most likely electrical. Misfiring on throttle could well be arcing and you would see that best in the dark. Also check the low tension wire inside the distributor. Condenser is an obvious contender...

Do you have a healthy spark?

There is very little that can go wrong with an SU carb. once set they normally never need touching.

Another thing that may cause sudden loss of carb. function is sticking piston. With the filter off just check that the piston rises and falls smoothly. Check that your choke is not jammed open or sticking open (jet fully up and return spring operating). Any other carb. issues would normally only be due to incorrect assembly, for instance a loose butterfly valve or missing/loose fixings or springs.

If you need to adjust the carb then only make adjustments when the car is running and then in small noted increments. e.g. When setting the mixture lift the piston 1/16" to 1/8" and if necessary adjust two flats and recheck.
1956 Morris Minor Series II
1959 MGA 1600 Roadster
1966 Jaguar Mk2 3.8 MOD
lambrettalad
Minor Legend
Posts: 2865
Joined: Mon May 09, 2011 3:15 pm
Location: Birmingham THE Second City & home of Aston Villa
MMOC Member: No

Re: Splutter - Splutter.....

Post by lambrettalad »

first thing I changed last week was the condenser ,same illness as yours ,fixed it in a jiff :D
good luck
now i have electronic ,as the modern condensers are c***,sorry rubbish :cry:
Cheers Alex
all thoughts are given in good faith but..." You pays your money and takes your choice"


[/color]
bmcecosse
Minor Maniac
Posts: 46561
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:24 pm
Location: ML9
MMOC Member: No

Re: Splutter - Splutter.....

Post by bmcecosse »

It certainly won't have gone 'rich' - quite the opposite in fact. But I agree with the others - most likely sticky piston - or look at the ignition.
ImageImage
Image
pfgiz
Minor Addict
Posts: 525
Joined: Fri May 01, 2009 10:38 am
Location: St Martins, Shropshire
MMOC Member: No

Re: Splutter - Splutter.....

Post by pfgiz »

Cheers guys.... In the end, after much replacing of parts, it's all sorted. I'll post pictures and details in a new thread.....

On another point.... (pardon the punn).... What brackets do I need to mount a Lucas Alternator instead of the dynamo? I understand a 'long bolt' will do the job as a temporary measure but do the brackets off of any modern(?) A-series work or do they need to be specific???
Peter Gisby.

bmcecosse
Minor Maniac
Posts: 46561
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:24 pm
Location: ML9
MMOC Member: No

Re: Splutter - Splutter.....

Post by bmcecosse »

Bracket from an older A series is perfect - the later A+ engine has a shorter bracket - which won't pick up the holes on the A block. Yes - you can use a 'long bolt' (with or without a spacer tube) but it's not very satisfactory allowing the rear of the alternator to sag slightly, putting undue strain on the front mounting and tending to allow the pulley to run slightly out of true with detrimental effect on the belt, and eventually - the alternator bearings.
ImageImage
Image
Post Reply