This might not make too much sense as I certainly cant figure it out!

Basically the car (1043cc, manual choke) seems to have 3 different idle speeds,

1. the expected around 800-1000

2. a half speed, around 400

3. nothing! the revs just literally drop straight out and stalls. it doesn't even consider idling.

Any of these can happen at any time, it's normal for it to fluctuate 4 or 5 times during even a short trip. It doesn't seem to make a difference if its hot or cold or if the chokes out or in.

I've cleaned the carb and all the jets a number of times but without any effect!

Spark plugs, points,air filter, dizzy cap and ignition leads all relitively new

I know the engines not in the best of condition as there is a bit of white smoke coming out the breather pipe. Spoke to a friend who is a mechanic and he thought this could be the problem, the white smoke adding to the feul mix and making it to rich. could this be? And if so he told me to disconect the pipe, but where do I pipe the smoke to so that it doesn't start coming into the cabin?

Any other suggestions would be more than appreciated as its pissing me off more each day to the point where I'm thinking of getting rid!

Edited 17 July, 200719 yr by fathands

Check your vac hoses.

have you replaced the fuel filter recently? it might help

Sorry forgot, feul filter and pump recently replaced also.

Had a look at the hoses and they all seem to be fine but I suppose one could be callapsing. I'll have another look and replace anything looking old.

Cheers

I thought vapour (not buckets of it) coming out of the breather system was normal.

there's quite a bit to be honest!

I've always thought it was exhaust gasses pushing past the piston rings kinda showing theat they're on the way out!

Could be wrong though.

Anyone?

could be the carb to inlet seal, although that is usually a more consistant idling problem rather than intermittant. Could be your points need replacing maybe? how does the car drive?

Replaced and checked the points recently and replaced the carb mount which sits on the inlet face recently as noticed it had split and thought that could be the cause!

It drives how it idles!

When its stalling, its very rough, there's a lack of power, and it chugs if you're cruising at 30 in 3rd or 4th (i.e low

revs).

If its idling ok then the car feels completely fine.

The carb to inlet mount is rubbish on the early 1.05, it has very little meat on it to keep a seal. plus the carb is only held on with 2 bolts 180° apart so theres alot of room either side for a gap to form. Good idea to use some blue hylomar to make sure there's no gaps.

Identical symptoms to mine,just before i did a carb conversion. I thought it'd still do it after,as i was almost certain that it was the hall sender - and I'm using the original ignition system,including distributor. But its never done it since - which leads me to believe it was the old carb. And as yours has points,it doesnt have a hall sender anyway.

It better not be the carb!! Bought a new one, straight replacement weber just over 2 years ago!

Just changed all the vacuum hoses with no apparent improvement!!

Next the carb to inlet seal but any other suggestions welcome.