Awful idling

Post by **fume** » 23 Sep 2007 07:38 pm

Got a bit a problem with my 1.4 DL. A rebuilt carb has been fitted to try and solve the lack of choke. It was running like a dream until yesterday when it developed a problem with its idling. It's hunting like mad, also at 40mph in 5th it starts to kangaroo. I have had a look today, adjusted the idle, made sure everything was tight, made sure the vacuum between the carb and the renix isn't blocked but no difference. It doesn't cut out but chugs. i did put some petrol in it yesterday, but dodgy petrol would be to simple!!! and unlikely i think.
Cheers

Post by **Chris_C** » 23 Sep 2007 07:51 pm

Check the spaceman tube/hot air feed... that's great at screwing 1.4's, and brittle normally

Post by **fume** » 23 Sep 2007 08:09 pm

It is knackered, i cut it down and refitted it so it sealed but perhaps not well enough. When i got the car the tube was in the splash tray and the collar missing from the air cleaner. I didn't realise that pipe made such a difference. I have now had three different pipes on it, they seem to split so easily. Thanks for the suggestion. I did wonder if the valve isn't opening so it is pulling hot air in all the time.

Post by **Chris_C** » 23 Sep 2007 11:22 pm

Well... both mine won't idle with that pipe removed, and I've been told that means the flappy thing is knackered, but havn't ever checked. Rough running for me is often that though.

Mine kept splitting too, so in the end I got a Volvo split one (as the V one is generally thicker) and fibreglassed over the split, has worked since but the resin gets a nadgers sticky when run, so not sure if I'd recommend it tbh!

EDIT: Both mine being the 1.4 and 1.7, the 1.4 was worse, have come home with gaffer tape covering a split before!

Post by **fume** » 24 Sep 2007 08:45 am

I have got a spare flappy thing i think i will swop it over with a new/or repaired piece of pipe and see if it makes a difference. Am i right in saying that you can test it with a hairdryer?. Probably best to test the spare one!!

Post by **Chris_C** » 24 Sep 2007 09:20 am

Yup, hair drier it is, the exact process is in the engine green book for the B14. I'll be interested in how it goes, really should check mine!

Post by **classicswede** » 24 Sep 2007 12:59 pm

It sounds like it is running overly rich.

You could try removing the intake pipe off the air filter housing to prove the point about the flap. If it is sticking it should run better without the feed pipe on. Its only held with two 10mm nuts/bolts

Post by **Vart** » 24 Sep 2007 01:34 pm

my idle fell apart when the solenoid connector broke, drove a little funny too. might be worth a check if the carb was replaced. adjusting the mixture/idle speed didn't do much either.

Post by **fume** » 24 Sep 2007 07:27 pm

Thanks for all the suggestions, i have tried them all nothing has made a difference. Both flappy things tested ok, all i did was point a hairdrier at the thermostat end and both opened as they should.
I have replaced the hot air feed pipe and checked the solenoid feed. I took the plugs out and they were sooted up so a possible mixture problem on the carb? i would have thought it would have done it straight away though if the mixture was wrong.

Post by **pettaw** » 24 Sep 2007 08:23 pm

If it was running like a dream until it developed a problem, then my best best would be dirt or a blockage in the carb.

The sooty plugs could be an overrich mixture, but that may be a historic thing, it can take a while to burn off the deposits if the plugs get fouled up with too rich a mixture.

I would strip the carb apart and make sure the jets and float chamber are really clean. Also make sure that there's no dirt in the needle valve maybe jamming it open and causing flooding.

Post by **fume** » 24 Sep 2007 08:58 pm

I think you are right, if you let the car idle it chugs then tries to pick up before dropping off again, it's trying to idle. Thats really annoying if that is what it is as the carb was spotless when i fitted it and i also added an inline fuel filter to stop any rubbish from the tank coming through. When i changed the carb i should've cleaned the plugs.

Post by **fume** » 26 Sep 2007 03:32 pm

Quick update on the problem. I stripped the carb down removed and cleaned the jets put it all back together and exactly the same. My mate who was helping me decided to have a look at the vacuum connection on the renix and got a pretty hefty shock. I think it is safe to say the renix is packing up as with the engine running it is live!!.
Now need to find a renix asap. So if anyone has a spare they can afford to part with let me know.

Post by **Vart** » 27 Sep 2007 12:06 am

for a b14?

if so i've one you can have if you want to pick it up. i'm the ipswich end of the a140 so its a mission but if you can be here thursday or friday evening i can be about. pm me if so. after that i'm off to portsmouth till crimbo but could post it i suppose.

it came from a running car and i believe has the caps to ground the various bits for unleaded running.

Post by **fume** » 28 Sep 2007 08:49 am

Thank you for the offer but the car broke down yesterday so i managed to persuede my scrappy to stay open so i could go after work. Had to abandon car on boss's drive, he was less than impressed!!!. Managed to get a renix after some heated words because the one he was trying to sell me was for a 1.7.
The car will now run but still idles lumpy. Spanners out again on Sunday.

The guy at the scrappy did have 3 complete 340s, now only has one as he says no call for them. I think i will strip the one left, money and time permitting. Only wants £12 for the carb on it!!.
I did spot 3 GLT alloys i was tempted and i think i may well rescue them depending on how much he wants for them. They didn't look in too bad nick, but i couldn't find the fourth.

Post by **classicswede** » 28 Sep 2007 01:18 pm

Does he have a mk 2 tailgaite glass?