To fiddle or not to fiddle that is the question

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Colthebrummie

Well-Known Member
Posts
9,870
Location
Thatcham
Hello all
When I did my bus mechanics training 40 odd years ago, I was apprenticed to a brilliant old fitter who was very wise, what he didn't know about engines wasn't worth knowing. He had two sayings that have stuck with me and have become my mantra. The first was, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and the other was, " if you fiddle with that, you'll be opening a can of worms" now to my problem (if it really is a problem), my series 3 lwb station wagon is running fairly well generally but when I accelerate there is a bit of a hesitancy especially when accelerating between 25 and 35 mph, its like a spark plug is missing a couple of beats. I've done the usual servicing type stuff like new plugs, leads, coil, dizzy cap, rota arm and reset the points but it still does it. I've got it ticking over nicely and it will rev freely whilst the bonnet is up, it's just on the road the problem appears. Should I ignore it cos it ain't broke enough or risk opening a can of worms by mucking about with its innards. It don't bother me too much just pooling around locally but it would worry me if I wanted to venture further afield

As always, all thought gratefully received.

Col
 
Hi Tottot
It's the original zenith 36. The landy only has less than 25k on the clock and I have most of the old mots to verify it so I'm not sure about wear. Having said that it's not good on the old mpg even for a landy and all of my previous work on it has been in an effort to get it somewhere near the 15mpg mark. I have had a lot of problems gertting a nice even tickover which it now does, but stripping the carb goes against saying number two, " if you fiddle with that, you'll be opening a can of worms"

Col
 
The base plate that the points fix too moves freely with a bit of hand pressure, is there a better way of checking it, eg sucking the vac pipe? I think the timing is ok cos it ticks over well and it runs on apart from the one spot during acceleration. If I hold the accelerator pedal steady it's fine, it's just when I give it a bit of boot. Even then, it's not bad, it's not jerking just a slight misfire. The only thing I haven't changed in the ignition circuit is the condensor and hats because I keep hearing on here how cr@p new ones are

Col
 
Yes the vac advance pipe is connected and ok, I checked that today when I was adjusting the points. I'm not really a fan of electronics ignition on classics but this is making me wonder if it might be a good idea to go all 21st century.

Col
 
Your Zenith may have only 25 k on it but it has much age,a wear point is the butterfly spindel which can let air in.The gasket between the top and main body of the carb may have gone hard.
 
John, maybe, it hasn't been converted, I do put the additive in though.
Tottot, I think there is part of me that thinks the carb might be to blame, but the feel of the fault seems more ignition like. Could be my fear of opening the can of worms is stopping me from taking the carb of and having a good look at it. I did order a service kit for it a while ago but I've mislaid it.

Col
 
My mate sold his series 3 with 25000 miles on the clock. He must have spent hours over the years removing the speedo cable between MOTs. :p

Get it stripped................. Your taking all the fun out of it :D:D
 
Yes I know, over the past year or so I have acquired two spare second hand zeniths, both 36IV but all three are a bit different. They must have made changes as emission laws changed. I suppose it can't hurt to take look under the triangle cover.
Bobsticle, my landy came from a retired country doctor in Kent, he had it so that he could get to his more rural patients in winter snow, not much of that in Kent. It sat in his barn like garage for over twenty years only accumulating about 400 miles per year. I know nothing is guaranteed but a lot of what I found pointed to years of being laid up, such as the remains of a wasp nest under the rear wheel arch. Plus we all like to think the best of our landys don't we.

Col
 
Well, your extremely wise mentor would probably admit that it is a bit broke, and so does need a smidgeon of fixing.

But you need to be very careful. A triangular cover is the epitome of thin-ended wedges.
 
I know, I'm already imagining a spring flying out as I undo the last screw. Carbs have always been a black art as far as I'm concerned.

Col
 
The rightful place of any series is in bits all over your drive. I kinda like swearing a lot while wringing blooded hands. :D

Henry was owned by a Carmelite Nun on the Isle of Bunk. They only get a pint of diesel a year so was mostly used for polishing practice. :rolleyes:
 
Usually it's in bits all over the drive, in the garage, garden and in the house.
I'm thinking timing, except that it ticks over nicely. Cos of its standing for years the valve seals are knackered and that has led to a few compression issues and black spark plugs. (Well, the plugs might be a different issue). When setting the timing (by ear) what is the best rpm to do it at

Col
 
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