Carb or Electrics? - Engine Probs

B

Barry Cox

New Member
I have just had my trusty old 2000SC auto recommissioned after about 12 years off the road and am very pleased with the work done.
However, although the car generally seems to run OK I have a couple of teething problems no doubt bought about by such a long time idle.
1) When starting on choke the engine will almost die when put into "drive" unless the engine is screaming away on unloaded idle - I don't remember this happening when she was last on the road (although it was a long time ago). Once the engine is warm and choke is right in there isn't a problem.
2) On a reasonable long motorway run I noticed the engine appeared to be "missing" every now and then. It developed to a point that when we went to overtake (ie accelerating from about 55mph) it got worse and the acceleration was negligeable. Right near the end of our journey we actually thought the engine had cut out as we appeared to be "coasting" but then all of a sudden it picked up again.

We have only used it since on short trips (ie to the shops etc) so apart from the cold engine choke problem the other problem has not returned.

I would point out that the engine does tend to "overrun" when I switch off but I seem to remember it doing that last time it was on the road.

Any ideas? Obviously the car has been fully serviced during recommisioning so points plugs coil etc are new.
I havn't had chance to check anything yet.
Anyone got any ideas? I reckon it is a fuel problem but wonder if it could be something more that "a bit of S**t" in the fuel after all the years of standing idle.

Any ideas gratefully received!
Cheers
Barry
 
most likely rubbish in fuel for the cutting out stuff
Dying with choke out - sounds like carb might not be set up right- should not scream away on choke setting - good luck
my SC does not really accelerate after 55 unless it get full throttle - and every thing is ok! - mind you it will show more than 90 on a very good day (private road of course!)
 
Barry,
sounds like a combination of things to me. The engine should not over-run suspect ignition timing here.
Choke/carb settings not set up properly - first part of choke should increase idle only. Petrol / air mixture doesn't sound right either, maybe too weak! What fuel / additives are you using and what is your static ignition timing set to?
I usually suspect ignition / electrical items before fuel as these tend to cause more problems than carbs and their settings so a full check on points plugs etc sounds as tho' its needed.
Which part of the country are you in - Maybe there is someone local to you that a member could recommend for a good tune-up?
Regards, John.
 
Thanks for your speedy responses John and SCAuto - I live in the Romford area (Essex) if anyone knows a good mechanic locally that they can recommend. I wish I had more time to get under the bonnet myself as thats part of the reason for keeping her - I love the accessability of it all - but unfortunately at the moment I just don't have the time.
The ignition timing could be a major culprit so hopefully I can have a look at that over the weekend.
Cheers and have a good weekend.
Barry
 
Does it pull away ok at low speeds - if its OK then its not likely to be petrol.

Could be a duff condenser this can cause misfiring - did you change this at the same time as the points ?

Or the coil breaking down ( even new ones are faulty some times )
 
Hi folks - just to update you on what was at fault incase you run into similar probs - and a bit of an advert (if that is allowed) for the guy who sorted it out.
The problem was a combination of the points having closed up and the engine running far too rich. I asked Ken at "Green Flag" to have a look at it as he was the one who had got the car running inorder I could get it out of the back garden and onto the trailer to have the car sent off for recommissioning. He has all the gismo's in his van to check what is happening rather than the "lets try replacing that" form of attack on the problem that I would have done. He checked the performance of the coil, condenser, ballast resister etc etc. and they were all spot on. As I said the points gap had closed up so the dwell angle was way out etc so that was adjusted and the exhaust sent his gas analyser into fits - he said he hadn't seen a car running that rich for a long time! So that was adjusted. He also checked the state of the fuel pump filter incase there was any poop in the system but he said it was as clean as a whistle.
I would like to make it clear that this bit of fine fettling does not reflect badly on Ely Services who did the recommissioning (subject of a different topic item) as I am happy to accept that things may need adjusting after 12 years off the road! They would have been more than happy to have the car back in and sort it themselves but with them in Ely and me in Romford it just wasn't worth it.
Result is I now have the car running as I remember it did when it was last used over 12 years ago - a beautiful even tickover etc.
So a happy ending to my Rover Recommisioning story. I have been very happy with the helpful service I have received from Tony at Ely Services who did the recommissioning, Jeff at Ray Weekley's who supplied an exhaust back box and Ken. It has been a real pleasure dealing with people who are enthusiatic about their work.
Ken's enthusiasm for the P6 is really good to see, his charges are very reasonable and as he is mobile (ie comes to you) it is very convenient. So if you live in the Essex area (he lives in Harwich but commutes into the Romford area would you believe!) I can thoroughly recommend him. His mobile number is 07831 496687.
:D
 
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