Engine problems...

[DeVilleChris]

Hi all,

Recently every time I have been driving my 126 if I let it get to low revs it stalls and wont restart on the starter motor... but it will restart by bumping it.. it will turn over and over but wont fire up.

I've noticed the battery is low so I recharged it fully and it was doing the same, but the battery went flat very quickly.

This has made for some interesting trips out recently, making sure I have my foot on the accelerator when facing up hill to keep the revs high and then leaving a big gap for bumping when going down hill.

I'm going to buy a new battery on pay day, and I'm going to have a look at the carb because it smells a little rich but anyone got any ideas or experienced this?

The car has just been put back together after the respray so I'm thinking it could be something I've missed?

Chris

[amam]

to me it sounds like a loose electrical connection which is causing it to charge down the battery

[Rusty's Uncle]

Hi Chris
A few things come to mind. If the car has just been reassembled then how good are the earth connections? Modern batteries seem to have a built in "sudden death" feature but you should be able to get your battery tested at somewhere like Halfords. The last battery I bought was from ebay, cheap as chips and delivered to your door. That stalling suggests that something has gone a little off spec. Check points, tappets and air leaks at carb base 

[DeVilleChris]

Thanks

Will give it a good going over this weekend!

Chris

[Diesel Dave]

You need to check the voltage with the engine running to see if the battery is charging.

You need to see 14.5v with the motor revving, it will drop at idle

Are you running with the lights on all the time?

[DeVilleChris]

Hi all,

Update...

New battery - still doing it, sounds like popping and spitting when I drive now.. The air breather hose to the carb has a really poor fit so that might cause an air leak too..

The problem has got worse now which is annoying..


Chris

[drcdb15]

Ignition timing? OK when cold, but not after running for a while. What happens if, from cold, you start the engine, then immediately stop it again. Does it re-start then, before the engine has had a chance to warm up? Is there a crack or something loose in the dizzy cap? Or is the coil starting to pack up? Sounds like you may have two problems at the same time, not surprising if *everything* has been disturbed at the same time. I agree with Rusty's Uncle that you should re-check all the major earthing points. It sounds electrical rather than air-related.