Lurching Series 3

Hi All,

I'm the proud owner of a 1983 , 2.25 petrol Series 3.

I've had it for nearly 4 years and it's never caused me a problem that I can't resolve.

However, a few months ago that changed.

It started to lurch and splutter whenever I tried to accelerate - it would be worse with a slight incline but with some gentle feathering of the accelerator it would sort itself out and press on.

Now , it's barely driveable! If I get to 20 mph I am doing very well.

I have changed the points, condenser, fuel filter, spark plugs and have just ordered a new coil but if it's not that I am out of ideas.

Could it be crap in the fuel tank? A fuel pump on the way out?

I've not got a clue, would be grateful to hear from those who may have suffered a similar issue!

Cheers

J

Condenser would be my first check but could be all sorts.
How does it start up from cold? How does it idle?
What did the old points look like?
What do the plugs look like? Have you checked for HT leaks? Open the bonnet when it's dark, look at the plugs, leads, coil for arcing

It starts up just fine from cold.
No spluttering or anything at all.
The old points didn't look too bad to be honest. The plugs were in tight but they had a decent spark.

HT leaks ? Sorry, can you elaborate!

Thanks for the advice about looking at it in the dark - should have thought of that sooner

HT - high tension
The bits that get grumpy and bite if you get too close

What carb have you got and when did you last give it a good clean? Mine acted similarly a time ago and servicing the carb fully sorted it out. then I put in a small inline fuel filter just before it enters the carb and haven’t had an issue since (well, not that issue anyway ).

Sounds like carb to me.

As above, depending on carb there may be a filter where fuel pipe enters.

tottot said:

As above, depending on carb there may be a filter where fuel pipe enters.

Click to expand...

Certainly is in a Weber. I've no idea how mine ran at all with the debris I found in that hidden filter!

Mine had this. Turned out the fuel inlet to the filter bowl housing wasn’t tight, and under load sucked air in.

I was looking to check the seal of the glass bowl to the filter housing, as I think air can be sucked in if it’s deteriorated, but that was ok, as was the pump diaphragm.

Thanks alot, will give it a look!

Zenith? Google zenith flatting.

Had exactly these same symptoms with our VW camper last year. Finally replaced rotor arm and it's been perfect ever since. Don't discount any part of ignition system, even if fairly new!

It was crap in the carburettor!!

glad you got it sorted.