Accelerator pedal

[Amateb8]

My accelerator appear to be sticking. Everytime I shift gear, it revs quite a bit and then gradually lowers to idling level. Lately, it is like an automatic, as the accelerator sticks. Is there a spring attached to the pedal? It may be defective.

[michaelodonnell500]

The accelerator pedal shaft is usually the culprit. The shaft gets a bit rusty and starts to stick.
Lift the carpet and spray either end with spray lubricant. It might take a few days to work lose again.

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[Xylaquin]

Disconnect the accelerator wire from the accelerator pedal. If the pedal is easy to move/flops to the floor then it's not your shaft.

If it's not the shaft then it'll be the accelerator cable scraping against the tube on the floor, or bending too much in the engine bay. The only way I've managed to sort this is remove the accelerator cable then reinstall it.

If it is the shaft:

I had a similar problem which turn out to be a rusty accelerator shaft as it passes through the tube thats fixed to the floor under the carpet. you can try using a light oil on the ends But Don't use WD40 or Plus Gas they swell the plastic/nylon bushes and makes it worse

[Amateb8]

I had a quick look. Yep, the accelerator pedal shaft looks quite rusty. The shaft sort of runs across the floor into the center metal covering. Can I unscrew the pedal shaft so I can properly apply WD40 on both ends?

Is there a return spring for the accelerator pedal? There is a spring at the other end attached to the carburetor.

[Amateb8]

Many thanks. Can I use one of those multi-purpose lubricants in a tin?

Where can I access the accelerator cable? Do I need to unscrew the center housing that runs from the front to the gear shift to the rear?

[michaelodonnell500]

You can unscrew it But it's much easier to leave it in there. You can't take it apart so taking it off doesn't help much.

Don't use wd40. It's a penetrative spray not a lubricant spray.
You can buy silicon lubricant spray from any motor factors.

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[126blackbird]

I've had the same problem in the past, I removed the pedal mechanism and lubricated it which solved the problem

[Amateb8]

Many thanks all. I shall have a go tomorrow.

Graham, is that the red Fiat 126 I sold you?

[Amateb8]

I unscrewed the accelerator shaft pedal. Applied lubricant on the pedal side. Not sure whether the lubricant actually got in the shaft. Screwed the shaft back. It is a vast improvement, but it is still sticking a bit. I will reapply oil again over the weekend.

Weirdly, when I took the mat and sound deadening out, the floor was quite wet with some sort of transparent oil. Initially, I thought it was water. How did it get there?

[Pete126]

Check if the back of the master cylinder is leaking, follow the brake pedal up and you'll see the pin that goes into the back of master cylinder, pull the black rubber seal away and if its wet it needs replacing I had a similar problem and only noticed it when the carpet changed colour to a darker grey at the top

[Amateb8]

The accelerator pedal is sticking again. I'll probably get the pedal shaft properly lubricated by removing it completely. I couldn't get the lubricant into the shaft. The only thing I did was drench the mechanism ends with oil. Also, do what you advised, i.e. removing the accelerator cable and reinstalling it.

I wonder whether it is still possible to buy a new RHD accelerator pedal shaft.

Pete, many thanks. I'll also get the brake master cylinder checked. The leak does not appear to affect the brakes.

It looks like the list of things to do with the car is lengthening. In addition to the above, replace rear shock absorbers, full service (change oil, replace plugs/condenser/points et al.), replace idling solenoid, check rear brakes (advisory) and others.

[michaelodonnell500]

With the pedal removed you can rotate it 360 degrees spraying it occasionally with silicon and this should free most issues.
I had one that wouldn't free up and ended up taking it apart and re-welding it. that was a bit of a pain!

[Xylaquin]

I wonder whether it is still possible to buy a new RHD accelerator pedal shaft.

Like all RHD specific parts, they're flippin' rare.

I came across a new one by chance on a Polish website (strangely) and scooped it up. When it arrived it was perfect... appart from the bits where the screws go to fit it to the floor: they where the wrong way round. I decided to sell it on, and if I'm not mistaken Gadge bought it.

[Amateb8]

I did what you suggested. I took the thing out from the floor. I also had to remove the metal covering to access the cable end. There was definitely  a lot of resistance rotating the shaft 360 degrees. I applied lubricant on both ends. I made sure the oil went into the openings until I could rotate it easily 360 degrees. Lubricating it every half an hour. It appears to be fine again. I'll try to drive it more.

[Amateb8]

Hi Pete,
I had another look at the floor to find out exactly what the oily substance is. It does not smell like brake fluid. There is also no paint damage one would normally get exposure to brake fluid. The sound deadening carpet is soaked with the oily substance. What can it be? I'll still get the master cylinder checked anyway, as the brake pedal appear to be extremely low when depressed.