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Cough Sputter Blah
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2002 10:30 am
by Gene Gillam
Thinking caps please!!
Went out with my friend Bob Bell yesterday - me driving his TC, him leading in his TD. About 8 miles down the road the TC started acting like it was running on two cylinders, no misfire, no backfiring, just a loss of power. Bob has a modern fuel pump mounted back at the tank, pushing petrol thru the front Lucas pump, then to the carburetors. Pulled over to the side of the road, checked the in-line filter under the tank, looked clean, pulled out the filter on the Lucas pump, a bit dirty but not too much, cleaned, and restarted the car. Running smooth again with power.
Drove down the road a bit further, same symptoms - loss of power. Coil very hot compared to the coil in the TD. Let it sit, started up, good power. Drove maybe a mile and putt-putt - power gone again. Hooked up the Lucas pump to work with the push pump at the tank. Ran perfectly again - until I pulled over and we disconnected the push pump to "see if the push pump was the problem". Started out using only the Lucas pump - three miles down the road and it dies again. Hooked up both pumps and made it the final 1/2 mile home.
When we got home, I replaced his Lucas pump with a brand new spare - same symptom - loss of power after about 5 miles or so when you start out driving - wait a while and it runs strong until ???? happens and it loses power again..
Oh, by the way, this had happened to Bob before so we had started out the day by installing a heatshield behind the carburetors and were testing it out when the above happened. The engine temperature is good at about 160F.
Question, Class: If it's not fuel related, where do we look electrically? The coil??? It does seem hot but I remember my coil being hot on my TC. Distributor? Car doesn't misfire or backfire and when it's running correctly it runs strong. Vacuum leak somewhere? Suggestions please on how to find it.
And, goodness but I hate to admit this - Bob's got a Bishop's Cam steering box in his TC and it's *ALMOST* as good as my Datsun - grin.
Thanks all,
Gene Gillam
1949 MG TC
Saucier, MS
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Re: Cough Sputter Blah
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2002 10:47 am
by Mark Stolzenburg
Gene, Let me know what you find out with your friends TC. As I mentioned
about a week ago, when my TC warms up it acts the same. I've check fuel
lines, gas to the front carb when hot, replaced fuel pump, coil and
condenser, checked float levels, leaned jets, even hot wired engine to
eliminate other electrical components. Everything seems to check out OK.
Mark Stolzenburg
Stumped in St. Louis and still running rough
TC 7812
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Gillam" anngene@bellsouth.net>
To: Martinman006@aol.com>; "mg-tabc List" mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 28, 2002 12:30 PM
Subject: [mg-tabc] Cough Sputter Blah
> Thinking caps please!!
>
> Went out with my friend Bob Bell yesterday - me driving his TC, him
leading in his TD. About 8 miles down the road the TC started acting like
it was running on two cylinders, no misfire, no backfiring, just a loss of
power. Bob has a modern fuel pump mounted back at the tank, pushing petrol
thru the front Lucas pump, then to the carburetors. Pulled over to the side
of the road, checked the in-line filter under the tank, looked clean, pulled
out the filter on the Lucas pump, a bit dirty but not too much, cleaned, and
restarted the car. Running smooth again with power.
>
> Drove down the road a bit further, same symptoms - loss of power. Coil
very hot compared to the coil in the TD. Let it sit, started up, good
power. Drove maybe a mile and putt-putt - power gone again. Hooked up the
Lucas pump to work with the push pump at the tank. Ran perfectly again -
until I pulled over and we disconnected the push pump to "see if the push
pump was the problem". Started out using only the Lucas pump - three miles
down the road and it dies again. Hooked up both pumps and made it the final
1/2 mile home.
>
> When we got home, I replaced his Lucas pump with a brand new spare - same
symptom - loss of power after about 5 miles or so when you start out
driving - wait a while and it runs strong until ???? happens and it loses
power again..
>
> Oh, by the way, this had happened to Bob before so we had started out the
day by installing a heatshield behind the carburetors and were testing it
out when the above happened. The engine temperature is good at about 160F.
>
> Question, Class: If it's not fuel related, where do we look electrically?
The coil??? It does seem hot but I remember my coil being hot on my TC.
Distributor? Car doesn't misfire or backfire and when it's running
correctly it runs strong. Vacuum leak somewhere? Suggestions please on
how to find it.
>
> And, goodness but I hate to admit this - Bob's got a Bishop's Cam steering
box in his TC and it's *ALMOST* as good as my Datsun - grin.
>
> Thanks all,
>
> Gene Gillam
> 1949 MG TC
> Saucier, MS
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (
http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.350 / Virus Database: 196 - Release Date: 4/17/2002
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
Re: Cough Sputter Blah
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2002 11:51 am
by Clive Sherriff
This sound like it could be wrong heat rating plug trouble ?
It might be worth putting a new set of correct rating plugs in
and trying it -
Clive
=================================
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Stolzenburg" stolzy40@peoplepc.com>
To: "Gene Gillam" anngene@bellsouth.net>
Cc: "mg-tabc List" mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 28, 2002 6:46 PM
Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] Cough Sputter Blah
> Gene, Let me know what you find out with your friends TC. As I mentioned
> about a week ago, when my TC warms up it acts the same. I've check fuel
> lines, gas to the front carb when hot, replaced fuel pump, coil and
> condenser, checked float levels, leaned jets, even hot wired engine to
> eliminate other electrical components. Everything seems to check out OK.
> Mark Stolzenburg
> Stumped in St. Louis and still running rough
> TC 7812
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gene Gillam" anngene@bellsouth.net>
> To: Martinman006@aol.com>; "mg-tabc List" mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Sunday, April 28, 2002 12:30 PM
> Subject: [mg-tabc] Cough Sputter Blah
>
>
> > Thinking caps please!!
> >
> > Went out with my friend Bob Bell yesterday - me driving his TC, him
> leading in his TD. About 8 miles down the road the TC started acting like
> it was running on two cylinders, no misfire, no backfiring, just a loss
of
> power. Bob has a modern fuel pump mounted back at the tank, pushing
petrol
> thru the front Lucas pump, then to the carburetors. Pulled over to the
side
> of the road, checked the in-line filter under the tank, looked clean,
pulled
> out the filter on the Lucas pump, a bit dirty but not too much, cleaned,
and
> restarted the car. Running smooth again with power.
> >
> > Drove down the road a bit further, same symptoms - loss of power. Coil
> very hot compared to the coil in the TD. Let it sit, started up, good
> power. Drove maybe a mile and putt-putt - power gone again. Hooked up
the
> Lucas pump to work with the push pump at the tank. Ran perfectly again -
> until I pulled over and we disconnected the push pump to "see if the push
> pump was the problem". Started out using only the Lucas pump - three
miles
> down the road and it dies again. Hooked up both pumps and made it the
final
> 1/2 mile home.
> >
> > When we got home, I replaced his Lucas pump with a brand new spare -
same
> symptom - loss of power after about 5 miles or so when you start out
> driving - wait a while and it runs strong until ???? happens and it loses
> power again..
> >
> > Oh, by the way, this had happened to Bob before so we had started out
the
> day by installing a heatshield behind the carburetors and were testing it
> out when the above happened. The engine temperature is good at about
160F.
> >
> > Question, Class: If it's not fuel related, where do we look
electrically?
> The coil??? It does seem hot but I remember my coil being hot on my TC.
> Distributor? Car doesn't misfire or backfire and when it's running
> correctly it runs strong. Vacuum leak somewhere? Suggestions please on
> how to find it.
> >
> > And, goodness but I hate to admit this - Bob's got a Bishop's Cam
steering
> box in his TC and it's *ALMOST* as good as my Datsun - grin.
> >
> > Thanks all,
> >
> > Gene Gillam
> > 1949 MG TC
> > Saucier, MS
> >
> >
> > ---
> > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (
http://www.grisoft.com).
> > Version: 6.0.350 / Virus Database: 196 - Release Date: 4/17/2002
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
Re: Cough Sputter Blah
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2002 12:06 pm
by David & Joyce Edgar
>Hooked up the Lucas pump to work with the push pump at the tank.
>Ran perfectly again
I would think this would indicate a fuel supply problem. A low
pressure SU pump should pump 7 1/2 gallons per hour or by my
calculations, one cup in 30 seconds. Does either pump do that alone?
I would measure by disconnecting fuel line at front carb to make sure
whole fuel line is clear.
One other thought is the filter at the bottom of the petrol tank.
Possible clogging material gets washed off filter by petrol sloshing
around when coming to a stop and you are good for a few miles till
the crud builds up again. I had a similar problem several years ago.
Would run fine, suddenly loose power, and would occasionally gain
power back in short bursts. Cleaned crud out of tank, and the
in-tank filter and we were off like a champ again. I also replaced
my in line filter mounted on my hidden push pump.
David Edgar, TC 5108
El Cajon, California
Re: Cough Sputter Blah
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2002 12:14 pm
by Gene Gillam
Clive suggested:
>It might be worth putting a new set of correct rating plugs in and trying
it http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.350 / Virus Database: 196 - Release Date: 4/17/2002
Re: Cough Sputter Blah
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2002 12:25 pm
by Gene Gillam
David wrote,
> A low pressure SU pump should pump 7 1/2 gallons per hour or by my
calculations, one cup in 30 seconds. Does either pump do that alone? I
would measure by disconnecting fuel line at front carb to make sure whole
fuel line is clear. One other thought is the filter at the bottom of the
petrol tank.http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.350 / Virus Database: 196 - Release Date: 4/17/2002
Re: Cough Sputter Blah
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2002 1:06 pm
by Peter Ross
I had similar trouble on our PA but it did misfire. I eventually found that
one carb float chamber was not venting properly.
If all your cylinders are firing, but weakly, try popping the fuel filler
(gas) cap. You can just lean back as the driver and reach it, but it's much
safer if a passenger does it. Alternatively, stop, run round the back and
pop it. If the vent is blocked, you'll hear a giant sucking sound as the
tank gulps air. When you have stopped and "let it rest" in your trials, air
has been seeping in and, when it is up to atmos pressure, away you go again.
To get home, drive with the cap released.
It's quite common to reassemble the cap so the small vent hole is non
functional. Also, someone may fashion a gasket to stop fuel sloshing out
and inadvertently seal the tank.
There are several areas in our fuel system where atmospheric pressure is
fundamental. Fuel tank, float chambers, carb dashpots.
The PA has a "funny" coil on top of the tank to let air in; then you can
seal the cap completely.
Cheers,
Peter
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Gillam" anngene@bellsouth.net>
To: Martinman006@aol.com>; "mg-tabc List" mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 28, 2002 1:30 PM
Subject: [mg-tabc] Cough Sputter Blah
> Thinking caps please!!
>
> Went out with my friend Bob Bell yesterday - me driving his TC, him
leading in his TD. About 8 miles down the road the TC started acting like
it was running on two cylinders, no misfire, no backfiring, just a loss of
power. Bob has a modern fuel pump mounted back at the tank, pushing petrol
thru the front Lucas pump, then to the carburetors. Pulled over to the side
of the road, checked the in-line filter under the tank, looked clean, pulled
out the filter on the Lucas pump, a bit dirty but not too much, cleaned, and
restarted the car. Running smooth again with power.
>
> Drove down the road a bit further, same symptoms - loss of power. Coil
very hot compared to the coil in the TD. Let it sit, started up, good
power. Drove maybe a mile and putt-putt - power gone again. Hooked up the
Lucas pump to work with the push pump at the tank. Ran perfectly again -
until I pulled over and we disconnected the push pump to "see if the push
pump was the problem". Started out using only the Lucas pump - three miles
down the road and it dies again. Hooked up both pumps and made it the final
1/2 mile home.
>
> When we got home, I replaced his Lucas pump with a brand new spare - same
symptom - loss of power after about 5 miles or so when you start out
driving - wait a while and it runs strong until ???? happens and it loses
power again..
>
> Oh, by the way, this had happened to Bob before so we had started out the
day by installing a heatshield behind the carburetors and were testing it
out when the above happened. The engine temperature is good at about 160F.
>
> Question, Class: If it's not fuel related, where do we look electrically?
The coil??? It does seem hot but I remember my coil being hot on my TC.
Distributor? Car doesn't misfire or backfire and when it's running
correctly it runs strong. Vacuum leak somewhere? Suggestions please on
how to find it.
>
> And, goodness but I hate to admit this - Bob's got a Bishop's Cam steering
box in his TC and it's *ALMOST* as good as my Datsun - grin.
>
> Thanks all,
>
> Gene Gillam
> 1949 MG TC
> Saucier, MS
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (
http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.350 / Virus Database: 196 - Release Date: 4/17/2002
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
Re: Cough Sputter Blah
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2002 1:07 pm
by David & Joyce Edgar
>but we tried three different pumps, including one brand new one.
I would still check flow from the line at the front carb. Possible
for hoses when hold to clog up.
David Edgar, TC 5108
El Cajon, California
Re: Cough Sputter Blah
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2002 3:29 pm
by Davidtasa@aol.com
Gene,
I'm no expert, but I did have a similar problem a while back and it turned
out to be that the gas cap was not properly vented. After a few miles there
was a vacuum in the tank which the fuel pump wasn't strong enough to
overcome. After a few minutes the car would restart and run fine for a few
more miles then the same problem. Could be you have a similar situation.
There is a tiny hole in the inner portion of the gas cap which needs to be
open and not covered by a gasket or the like.
David TC 3896
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Cough Sputter Blah
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2002 4:17 pm
by Sam Suklis
Hello, Gene:
...Coil, coil coil!. Been there, done that. Years ago, on the Columbia
gorge, in a raging storm, the final 40 miles to Portland took an eternity of
going slower and slower, pull over, let the coil cool off, and repeat, with
the intervals between getting shorter and shorter as the coil got weaker.
Took half the night to make the trip. It didn't help to have one of the
famous Columbia gorge wind-gusts take the top, bows and all, and whip the
whole works off the car and into the darkness and and rain. And of course,
the lovely Lucas wiper motor chose to quit the game, which is what they do
best.
The purpose of that trip had been to meet my fiancee's parents in the
Dalles, Or. she had to crank the wipers the whole way, no top, rain going
by horizontally. She never spoke to me again. Some thing just aren't made
to be.
Best regards, Sam Suklis.
SS
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Gillam" anngene@bellsouth.net>
To: Martinman006@aol.com>; "mg-tabc List" mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 28, 2002 10:30 AM
Subject: [mg-tabc] Cough Sputter Blah
> Thinking caps please!!
>
> Went out with my friend Bob Bell yesterday - me driving his TC, him
leading in his TD. About 8 miles down the road the TC started acting like
it was running on two cylinders, no misfire, no backfiring, just a loss of
power. Bob has a modern fuel pump mounted back at the tank, pushing petrol
thru the front Lucas pump, then to the carburetors. Pulled over to the side
of the road, checked the in-line filter under the tank, looked clean, pulled
out the filter on the Lucas pump, a bit dirty but not too much, cleaned, and
restarted the car. Running smooth again with power.
>
> Drove down the road a bit further, same symptoms - loss of power. Coil
very hot compared to the coil in the TD. Let it sit, started up, good
power. Drove maybe a mile and putt-putt - power gone again. Hooked up the
Lucas pump to work with the push pump at the tank. Ran perfectly again -
until I pulled over and we disconnected the push pump to "see if the push
pump was the problem". Started out using only the Lucas pump - three miles
down the road and it dies again. Hooked up both pumps and made it the final
1/2 mile home.
>
> When we got home, I replaced his Lucas pump with a brand new spare - same
symptom - loss of power after about 5 miles or so when you start out
driving - wait a while and it runs strong until ???? happens and it loses
power again..
>
> Oh, by the way, this had happened to Bob before so we had started out the
day by installing a heatshield behind the carburetors and were testing it
out when the above happened. The engine temperature is good at about 160F.
>
> Question, Class: If it's not fuel related, where do we look electrically?
The coil??? It does seem hot but I remember my coil being hot on my TC.
Distributor? Car doesn't misfire or backfire and when it's running
correctly it runs strong. Vacuum leak somewhere? Suggestions please on
how to find it.
>
> And, goodness but I hate to admit this - Bob's got a Bishop's Cam steering
box in his TC and it's *ALMOST* as good as my Datsun - grin.
>
> Thanks all,
>
> Gene Gillam
> 1949 MG TC
> Saucier, MS
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (
http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.350 / Virus Database: 196 - Release Date: 4/17/2002
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>