Broke down - twice

[Draigflag]

Took the 126 for a blast earlier, 55 Mile round trip. Was going great, having a right laugh until she started to loose power 25 miles in and then died. She wouldn't start for 20 minutes but then got going again and went fine for another 25 odd miles until the same thing happened again. This time she didn't start and i had to call my Dad out to tow me home 

Any ideas? Sparks and points all look fine. Does it sound like a fuel pump issue? i can't risk using her again until i fix this so help much appreciated as always! 

[markymarc]

I had that on a VW I owned and it was a fuel problem when the engine got hot the pushrod had worn and didn't pump aswell !!

Sorry may help? If not I can offer a cup of tea and a biscuit

marc

[Draigflag]

Hmmmm....you could be onto something there. This has only happened today when i used her for a long (ish) run when the engine gets quite hot. It's never happened on short journeys. I've noticed the engine takes a long time to warm up according to the gauge, but cools very quickly.

If it is that what you say, then is it an easy fix?

Oh, btw, here's the video i made about 10 mins before she died!

http://youtu.be/kSy66sQ8y38

[markymarc]

With the dub it was buy a new pushrod and take fuel pump off, replace. easy as really but with the 126 im not sure, guess it depends on the miles?  I had a problem like it and did get a pushrod but it turned out my carb had been bodged to sell!!

Just saw your vid, luvley scenery and I watched your new 500 drift. You sure thats not just skidding round a corner lol

marc

[Draigflag]

Yes but drift sounds better! 

Ok i'll look into it. I'll check the carb too. It's only done 16,000 miles so can't imagine anything has worn out, but it is an old Fiat after all!

[Blonde126]

This may be a bit random but where did you get the seat covers from/what make are they? They seem to fit really well, and I was thinking of getting some leather ones from Argos for mine (as changing the interior would be classed as a modification  )

Thanks!

[Draigflag]

They are just a cheap set from Lidl, £12 i think! They fit ok, bit saggy as the seats are so small but help protect the originals! Lidl only seem to sell them once a year if that, just get some universal ones, they are all elasticated so one size fits all (heard that before  )

[Draigflag]

Getting this looked at on Friday. Checking carb, fuel filter and fuel pump.

Any other ideas? I thought this would be a common issue?

[Rusty's Uncle]

I would suspect Fuel supply as I believe that your car has not done a high mileage and has spent a lot of time standing. Now you have taken it on some longer runs you might be stirring up some sediment in the system. If it starts doing it again try pulling on the choke to see if the engine picks up.

[ChrisRLewis]

May be worth checking the distributor condenser, they can give similar problems when they are breaking down.

[Draigflag]

Ok thanks. Will check tomorrow! Might be worth draining the fuel tank then in case there's any old sticky petrol in there.

[Kipster]

If you replace the condenser i would not but a cheapy from ebay (Taiwan).
This tip was recommended to me by another forum user, thus i paid about £7.00 for a UK manufactured condenser (Lucas), the difference was very noticible. I then subsequently changed the points for a genuine more expensive set, and again another improvement.

[Draigflag]

Thanks, i would not skimp on cheap parts anyway. Chap never turned up to look at her so she's locked away in the warehouse where i work all weekend...

[Draigflag]

Update - Topic title should read "Broke down - 4 times"

I thought i'd risk using it again, somehow naively assuming the problem was self cured. It wasn't. It's now stuck in little Chef car park 1.7 miles away.

I think it could be temperature related as it seems ok on short journeys. But then when it's hot, it just looses power and conks out, then it won't start. But trying to start it a few hours later, usually it goes ok then. Shall i start with fuel pump or carb?

[RicePuddin]

do you get a vacumn when you open the fuel filler. It may be the tank sucking the fuel back. Had this issue with an Uno years ago.