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Post by indianajones on Jun 9, 2012 11:52:31 GMT
Well I just had an interesting drive home from picking the mrs up in the rain.
Car was going fine until we had around 300m to get home and the car started acting up, RPM sounding odd and going very sluggish.
I assumed it was the dizzy so once we limped home I got under the hood (not after a minor panic as I realised I had left the hand brake off and the car was rolling back slowly lol, the mrs ran to the recuse and put the brake on!) and could see the spark from the dizzy cap.
Must be cracked or what not, so need to get a replacement asap as I have a full driving test booked in 2 weeks! (worst case I can borrow my brother's car though)
-Andrew
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Post by tommydp on Jun 11, 2012 13:18:50 GMT
Hi!
As it was raining, are you sure it's not just a case of arching at the distributor cap/ leads due to wet or damp components?
Tommy
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Post by kelsham on Jun 11, 2012 17:25:09 GMT
I agree my car used to be a pain when it rained until I fitted a blanking plate to the radiator in front of the distributor.
Problem solved. Kels.
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Post by indianajones on Jun 11, 2012 20:17:47 GMT
Good call Tommy, could very well be that. The new cap and rotor arm are on their way regardless, the cap was a bit rough to begin so it can only help to replace it. Kels, I was actually planning on kicking my butt into gear and make the cover/shield for my dizzy like Chris has on his crab. Just been so busy at work and tech lately  -Andrew |
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Post by tommydp on Jun 11, 2012 20:44:23 GMT
You could also put a rubber glove over the distributor cap and route each HT lead out through the fingers of the glove. Use isolating tape to seal where the leads come out of the glove:-) Good Olde trick:-)
Its amazing how much water will drift into the engine bay, I believe it's worst on the Austin Morris models with the wider grille. The worst thing is wet snow drift, which will actually cover the engine in snow both when the car is driving and standing. So these distributors have to be covered in some way, also in rain.
Tommy.
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Post by indianajones on Jun 11, 2012 22:13:00 GMT
Funny, I would of thought the Wolseley would of been the worse with that huge open pig nose grill with the dizzy just about completely exposed lol
The rubber glove trick sounds very clever!
Does the air scoop let in much water? because the air filter isn't too far off, as of course mine isn't a stock one and is much more exposed.
In other news I've decided to waste my hard earned cash on my 1800 sales brochures =D
-Andrew
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Post by Penguin45 on Jun 11, 2012 23:47:57 GMT
Come on, you - get that deflector fitted. 15 minutes work.
The 1800 grills are full width, so are a truly gaping hole, right across the front of the car. No doubt a result of conservative '60s styling, as there's actually no need for the car to have a front grill at all due to the air intake for the radiator being in the wing.
The bonnet intake feeds the heater/internal air system in the car. Look at the top of the bulkhead to see where it joins. There should be a couple of dribble tubes at the bottom of the duct to allow any water to drain down over the suspension cross member.
Having mentioned dribble tubes - could use a couple myself. One definitely fell off and disappeared - the other is hiding. Somewhere.....
P45.
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Post by dave1800 on Jun 12, 2012 6:35:24 GMT
I have owned a Mk1 Austin, Mk11 Austin, Mk11 Morris, Mk111 Austin and Wolseley 18/85 Mk11. Only the Wolseley had a deflector which I assume was a factory fitting. Strangely enough I never had any problems with rain, slush or snow affecting the electrics and I used to regularly drive up to 100 miles a day. I did routinely change all the spark plug leads, distributor cap and rotor arm every 18 months or so and keep the coil connections clean. I know the deflector is essential for rallying though. Is my memory failing me or doesn't the fan actually blow the hot air out through the slots in the wing and draw it in through the grill? Come on, you - get that deflector fitted. 15 minutes work. The 1800 grills are full width, so are a truly gaping hole, right across the front of the car. No doubt a result of conservative '60s styling, as there's actually no need for the car to have a front grill at all due to the air intake for the radiator being in the wing. P45. |
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Post by kelsham on Jun 13, 2012 6:32:46 GMT
Dave, your memory is serving you well, I recall feeling hot air from the wheel arch.
The deflector fitted to my grille is homemade. Just a piece of hardboard. Keeps the distributor protected from the water entering the grille.
Kels.
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Post by indianajones on Jun 22, 2012 2:25:33 GMT
Great success!  Passed my test, I now have a full class 1 (car) licence to go with my class 6 (Motorcycle). Granted most of my mates had theirs at 17 lol, but I was in no rush and couldn't afford to run a car at that age. She went fine save for a few splutters going up hill towards the end. I think it's only doing it when hot, so perhaps carbon build up? Have tinkered with the mixture again and will see how we go. Still holding out from going to the mechanic! Also Chris, I also made my dizzy cover using corflute  -Andrew |
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Post by Penguin45 on Jun 22, 2012 8:15:33 GMT
Yay - well done.
Chris.
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Post by dave1800 on Jun 22, 2012 10:38:28 GMT
Well done Andrew!!
Sure your tappets aren't too tight ?
regards
David
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Post by threelitre on Jun 22, 2012 11:57:34 GMT
Congratulations! At times I'm curious if I would pass today - after 25 years of driving and so many (minor) changes in regulations...
Regards,
Alexander
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Post by indianajones on Jun 23, 2012 1:01:57 GMT
Cheers lads.
Ummm I fairly sure the tappets are fine, have checked them around 3 times in the last 2 months, set them at 0.0015".
The only thing that has changed lately is the new dizzy cap and rotor arm.
I might check the timing, could be an issue?
It seems to come and go, that's the confusing part. I think it tends to happen more when she's hot.
Also I see in the LOCI mag a piece regarding dizzy weights etc.....could be that?
-Andrew
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Post by dave1800 on Jun 23, 2012 4:34:55 GMT
Hi Andrew I'm the author on that article about the dizzy - hope it didn't seend you to sleep! I would suggest it probably isn't the problem, but just try rotating the shaft using the rotor arm when it's hot and make sure it twists a few degrees and springs back smoothly instantly. Check the plugs for fouling, either black soot indicating too rich a mixture or oil from valve seals etc. Is there any blue smoke from the exhaust after idling for a few minutes when hot or black smoke when you blip the throttle? Regards David Cheers lads. Also I see in the LOCI mag a piece regarding dizzy weights etc.....could be that? -Andrew |
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