Series 2 Well there goes that - somewhat urgent

hi all

I was on my way to setting up for emsworth country fete today. Got to my nans to load up the plants. Her partner noticed a rough idle on my landy and sorted it for me (fuel mix).


Stopped and started it a few times, got everything going.

Got halfway down her driveway and my dad in front of my stopped suddenly, I stalled. Now it won’t start at all. The newly refurbed starter that’s only a year or so old isn’t engaging, even with a jump pack. It won’t even turn on the handle, I just had the points and condenser replaced to fix that. It started first time and brilliantly about 5 times today. Now for whatever reason it’s decided to **** off and won’t wake up.

Just had to tow it down the drive, turn it round and then tow it back into the yard where it’s looking at me like it’s made me it’s bitch.

Any ideas?

Cheers all, have a nice Sunday

If anyone has any suggestions that I can try that don’t require too much removal of parts or any quick tips to help troubleshoot I’ll be very grateful.

What do you mean by: "it won't even turn on the handle"? Is the engine seized?

Extreedoc said:

What do you mean by: "it won't even turn on the handle"? Is the engine seized?

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Sorry, my mistake. It won’t fire on the handle. I can turn it round just fine and had actually handle started it just 30 seconds before the problem.

Back to basics then: check for a spark and that there is fuel. Two easy methods: for the spark, take off the distributor cap, make sure the points are closed. Switch on the ignition then flick the points open, there should be a spark. For the fuel: look down into the venturi of the carb and work the throttle; there should be a squirt of fuel from the accelerator pump jet. If not there is probably a fuel issue.

Extreedoc said:

Back to basics then: check for a spark and that there is fuel. Two easy methods: for the spark, take off the distributor cap, make sure the points are closed. Switch on the ignition that flick the points open, there should be a spark. For the fuel: look down into the venturi of the carb and work the throttle; there should be a squirt of fuel from the accelerator pump jet. If not there is probably a fuel issue.

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Even things to check if it had just driven 20 miles, stopped for half an hour and then started again before failure?

On it though. I’ll take a look

Getting a spark, the starter is jammed again despite working a few times today... bastard thing.

I’m getting a spark so I should be getting ignition on the handle

Crisis averted. She’s going again.

Thank you!

So... what do you think was the problem?

A dodgy battery it looks like. I technically could drive it to the fete for tomorrow now but I haven’t had a chance to charge the battery properly and the carb needs cleaning so I don’t think it’s worth the risk of it ending up dead in a field

Trench Rat said:

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Harsh, but totally understood

Shimsteriom said:

Harsh, but totally understood

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For sure. It should have been directed at the guy in the Audi driving down my nans drive at a stupid speed. Caused the break slam and subsequent stall. Otherwise everything would have been great.

She’s sitting out of the fete this year just typical as the local paper likes our plot and said they’d be back for photos. I just haven’t been able to charge the battery and I’d have to go back to the farm right now to get it. No chance. Typical.

I will say I’m confused that it would turn on the starter after the battery was sorted but not on the starting handle? Was getting a spark on the plugs.

Are the battery terminals nice and tight and clean?

Col

Yep.

Maybe water is getting behind your dash via dodgy window channels like mine and allowing electricity to leak. Does water drip onto the driver side footwell?

Col

Colthebrummie said:

Maybe water is getting behind your dash via dodgy window channels like mine and allowing electricity to leak. Does water drip onto the driver side footwell?

Col

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Ignore that post, I was thinking of another earlier post about a series that won't start when wet.

Col

Colthebrummie said:

Ignore that post, I was thinking of another earlier post about a series that won't start when wet.

Col

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Gotcha. Though it does drip in there.

I’m just confused as to why it won’t start on a handle, we were getting fuel and a spark and it started when we jumped the battery with a more manly unit than my own.

Trench Rat said:

Gotcha. Though it does drip in there.

I’m just confused as to why it won’t start on a handle, we were getting fuel and a spark and it started when we jumped the battery with a more manly unit than my own.

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When your Nans partner had a fiddle with it, he didn't upset the timing did he? I know you said he adjusted the mixture.... but just wondering.

Col