She's ill! :(

Post by **DeKay** » 31 Oct 2004 02:11 pm

i was driving on the motorway

(m58 to liverpool) just before the exit i needed, and all of a sudden i get a serious rev drop, back down to about idling speed of 800-1000, so i gently feather the accelerator and nothing happens.
I'm rolling down a hill at about 60 mph.
I dump the accelerator and it kicks in at full throttle, but anything less than a fully pressed pedal just drops it back to idle. i manage to get it off the road and onto asda's carpark, with a LOT of revs and a lot of very dodgy looks.
my first thoughts are carb problem, i don't think it's an air intake problem, nor do i think its an actual throttle problem (cable is pulling fine)

any ideas? I know I wont be back on the road by the meet on sunday because now i've fgot to get a train back to brum

but I'm still gonna try and get there.

any help is greatly appreciated

Post by **5lab** » 31 Oct 2004 02:57 pm

make sure the fuel supply is good, and the filter isnt clogged or owt

Post by **DeKay** » 31 Oct 2004 03:58 pm

ok, the filters have both been bypassed, and that didn't cure the problem, looks like it's the carb

i smell an expensive part, i may have to take that laptop off my christmas list

Post by **Duvel78** » 31 Oct 2004 04:04 pm

Check the mecanism for the accelerator cable (under the dashboard) cause a plastic part is maybe broken. (I had that problem and Quentin too very recently)

Post by **SteveP** » 31 Oct 2004 04:50 pm

I also immediately thought accelerator cable linkage/sticking somewhere, but Dave said the cable is pulling fine. But it does sound like something is sticking somewhere, but I'm sure theres someone else here who knows more than me about this!

Have you tried revving the car by pulling the throttle cable under the engine bay and therefore bypassing the cable linkage to the pedal?

It seems strange to have occured randomly, a carb problem is likely to develop symptoms over a longer period of time?

Steve

Post by **5lab** » 31 Oct 2004 05:22 pm

try spraying some carb cleaner in there too, and make sure all of your spark plugs are clean and hooked up properly (check ht leads)

Post by **foggyjames** » 31 Oct 2004 06:27 pm

So it runs ok on full throttle, but is lumpy as hell on anything other than full-throttle? I smell a warped carb base...

cheers

James

Post by **5lab** » 31 Oct 2004 06:47 pm

that wouldnt be sudden thou.

does she run alright on full throttle, or just a bit?

Post by **SteveP** » 31 Oct 2004 06:49 pm

Yeah thats what I thought, a warped carb base I would imagine give symptoms over a period of time. But it is a weak spot with the 1.7.

Steve

Post by **foggyjames** » 31 Oct 2004 07:34 pm

Well it is possible that it manifested itself that suddenly...but not that likely, I admit. It's easy to test for anyway - unlit blowtorch or can of WD40 sprayed around the manifold joints on a *cold* engine.

The other thing to check is the dizzy cap - they're supposedly famous for breaking on 340 1.7s - and that certainly could happen quickly and give the symptoms you suggest. At the end of the day, I certainly wouldn't blow £50+ on a new carb without consulting someone who can actually KNOW that that's the problem...

cheers

James

Post by **DeKay** » 01 Nov 2004 04:00 pm

Thanks guys
it shows all of james' symptoms for a warped carb base... but again I'm dubious that it would be so sudden, the car ran perfectly before hand.
I've forwarded the thread on to my mechanic (dad) and will report back!

Post by **DeKayDAD** » 04 Nov 2004 08:48 pm

The problem now seems cured. I had a spare 28-34 from I believe a Renault. When installed the 340 would run fine but would not idle.After much tweaking it now runs like a dream and is on low speed testing untill DeKay returns to the hot seat.

Post by **5lab** » 04 Nov 2004 08:50 pm

lol. you coming to the meet to then dad? seems he might need some assistance en-route

bloody youths these days.. cant do owt for themselves!

Post by **DeKayDAD** » 04 Nov 2004 08:57 pm

Not sure.its a busy day sunday.Im taking Daughter St.Helens to london then picking DeKay up on way back so dont know where i'll be at what time.

Post by **SteveP** » 04 Nov 2004 09:21 pm

Get DeKay to bring that 340 to the meet, it's no good in St Helens when the meet is in Gaydon!