Misfiring

Technical questions and Maintenance advice post in here please
Post Reply
kenneth jones
Posts: 88
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:42 am

Misfiring

Post by kenneth jones »

Hi everyone,

Having some problems with my A30. It stars fine but misfires badly at low speeds, if I put my foot down it goes well. It does not cut out on me.
I have electronic ignition on the engine, I have cleaned the jets in the carb, I have tried to rotate the distributor but has not cured it. I have fairly new plugs and the gaps have been checked. The only thing I intend to do noe is replace the cap and leads. Could this be the problem?

I am getting a bit nervous now as my daughter wants the car for her wedding on the 29th
pick up phil
Posts: 1035
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 8:59 pm
Location: Rotherham, South Yorks
x 3

Re: Misfiring

Post by pick up phil »

Have you checked the distributor cap? Could have a crack in it. Have a look in the dark for any signs of arcing around the high tension side dizzy & HT leads, plug leads and spark plug caps.

Try misting some water around - if there's any problem you have a November 5th display!!
Phil Harrison
El Presidente' 2013 - 2016 (Now Retired)
Membership Secretary - Retired
Archivist in the dim and distant past - Retired
Chair or 2009 / 2015 Nat Rally Comm
Sunny Rotherham!!
kenneth jones
Posts: 88
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:42 am

Re: Misfiring

Post by kenneth jones »

Thanks Phil,

I've ordered a distributor cap and leads, hopefully that should cure it. I'll let you know the outcome.
Thanks

Ken
Dave Clark
Posts: 5896
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:00 pm
Location: High Wycombe, Bucks

Re: Misfiring

Post by Dave Clark »

DO NOT throw away the "old" distributor cap if it is a Lucas original unless it has an obvious crack - they are more reliable than many modern replacements.

Also check the condition of the carbon brush and spring that passes the HT to the rotor arm - and the rotor arm itself. Again, modern rotor arms can be very troublesome.
User avatar
Neil Evans
Posts: 12179
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:06 am
Committee Role: Technical Officer
Location: Boston, Lincolnshire
x 11
x 25

Re: Misfiring

Post by Neil Evans »

Dave Clark wrote:DO NOT throw away the "old" distributor cap if it is a Lucas original unless it has an obvious crack - they are more reliable than many modern replacements...
:iagree: Wise advice Dave... :thumbs:

A friend is currently restoring a 1960s Ford Dexter tractor and because of the cheapness of spare parts for them he has completely replaced the entire electrical system with cheap chinese carp components. He also bought a brand new radiator as it was cheaper than having his recored. He's just got it going after a three year rebuild and now he's asking me for advice as nothing electrical works (the solenoid doesn't pull in, it doesn't charge etc) He's also found that the brand new radiator is leaking and now finds that the local radiator specialist can't/won't recore the chinese carp radiator and he's already dumped the original... :whistle:
Club Technical Information Officer
A30/A35 Club Member A191 (since 1972)

Father of the club's only love child
kenneth jones
Posts: 88
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:42 am

Re: Misfiring

Post by kenneth jones »

Thanks for the advice I'll hang on to the originals.
Hope to do the job tomorrow before the daughter gets too concerned :D

Ken
User avatar
Neil Evans
Posts: 12179
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:06 am
Committee Role: Technical Officer
Location: Boston, Lincolnshire
x 11
x 25

Re: Misfiring

Post by Neil Evans »

kenneth jones wrote:Thanks for the advice I'll hang on to the originals.


Ken
If it doesn't cure the problem I'd stick with the originals and keep the new ones as spares. Even 50 or 60 year old Lucas components are more reliable than the replacements you can buy now...
Club Technical Information Officer
A30/A35 Club Member A191 (since 1972)

Father of the club's only love child
kenneth jones
Posts: 88
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:42 am

Re: Misfiring

Post by kenneth jones »

I changed the cap and leads this morning and now she goes like a dream. Thanks for the advice.

Ken :)
User avatar
gazza82
Site Admin
Posts: 5585
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 3:39 pm
Committee Role: WebEditor
Location: Buckinghamshire
x 2
x 17
Contact:

Re: Misfiring

Post by gazza82 »

One less stressed bride-to-be ... and Dad!
"If you're driving on the edge ... you're leaving too much room!"

Club WebEditor.

Cars: "Project 757" '59 A35 2-door bought in 1971 & Subaru BRZ SE LUX Auto plus "family fleet": Alfa MiTo, Peugeot 206, (Ex '98 Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 TS)
User avatar
A40FARINAGURU
Posts: 16413
Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:14 am
Committee Role: A35 Registrar
Location: Birmingham (Home of the Austin)
x 21

Re: Misfiring

Post by A40FARINAGURU »

Neil Evans wrote:
A friend is currently restoring a 1960s Ford Dexta tractor
If he needs parts etc tell him to contact Richard at Cotswold Vintage Tractor at Weston Sub Edge :thumbs:

http://www.cotswoldvintagetractors.com/home.php
Nick Bayliss

Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact

Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk

Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years

A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
User avatar
Neil Evans
Posts: 12179
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:06 am
Committee Role: Technical Officer
Location: Boston, Lincolnshire
x 11
x 25

Re: Misfiring

Post by Neil Evans »

A40FARINAGURU wrote:
If he needs parts etc tell him to contact Richard at Cotswold Vintage Tractor at Weston Sub Edge :thumbs:

http://www.cotswoldvintagetractors.com/home.php
He has everything... just that most of the components he's bought are chinese carp... :whistle:
Club Technical Information Officer
A30/A35 Club Member A191 (since 1972)

Father of the club's only love child
User avatar
A40FARINAGURU
Posts: 16413
Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:14 am
Committee Role: A35 Registrar
Location: Birmingham (Home of the Austin)
x 21

Re: Misfiring

Post by A40FARINAGURU »

Neil Evans wrote:
A40FARINAGURU wrote:
If he needs parts etc tell him to contact Richard at Cotswold Vintage Tractor at Weston Sub Edge :thumbs:

http://www.cotswoldvintagetractors.com/home.php
He has everything... just that most of the components he's bought are chinese carp... :whistle:
well if he's ever stuck Richard will help him, he's from the old school :thumbs: , i saw him Thursday?
Nick Bayliss

Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact

Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk

Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years

A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
Bill
Posts: 729
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2014 5:37 pm
Location: Taunton

Re: Misfiring

Post by Bill »

kenneth jones wrote:Hi everyone,

Having some problems with my A30. It stars fine but misfires badly at low speeds, if I put my foot down it goes well. It does not cut out on me.
I have electronic ignition on the engine, I have cleaned the jets in the carb, I have tried to rotate the distributor but has not cured it. I have fairly new plugs and the gaps have been checked. The only thing I intend to do noe is replace the cap and leads. Could this be the problem?

I am getting a bit nervous now as my daughter wants the car for her wedding on the 29th
Everyone is going for ignition. I had the same trouble. I take it you are on a Zenith. Check the diffuser block gasket. I cured poor running by putting 2 in. Some are very thin and cause air leaks.
User avatar
gazza82
Site Admin
Posts: 5585
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 3:39 pm
Committee Role: WebEditor
Location: Buckinghamshire
x 2
x 17
Contact:

Re: Misfiring

Post by gazza82 »

Ladies and gents: Kenneth fixed it ... new distributor cap and leads. :-)
"If you're driving on the edge ... you're leaving too much room!"

Club WebEditor.

Cars: "Project 757" '59 A35 2-door bought in 1971 & Subaru BRZ SE LUX Auto plus "family fleet": Alfa MiTo, Peugeot 206, (Ex '98 Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 TS)
Post Reply