leeduncombe Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 Whilst out out recently on a run, my 1972 TR6 CP completely died (cut out), only to start quite happily a few minutes later. It then did the same thing after another 20 miles. It hasn't happened since then, but I've only done a few short journeys. It felt to me like a fuel problem although I could hear the fuel pump running. It was a warm day, but not too hot. The guy who renovated my car was a Lucas engineer and as such persevered with the Lucas petrol pump although he fitted a cooling coil and an electric fan. Despite this friends have suggested I should cut my losses and invest in a Bosch fuel pump. From what little i've been able to say does this sound like a fuel problem and is it typical of the Lucas fuel pump? Thanks, Lee. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barkerwilliams Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 (edited) My experience is that a sudden and total cut-out is electrical, fuel always seems to cough and splutter a bit with it's dying breath. Only time it happened to me as you describe was the ignition key switch was on its last legs and eventually got worse until the fault was more obvious. As it costs nothing I would start with cleaning the fuel cut-out switch as per "http://www.grampianstags.net/inertia.htm" I would not rush to a new pump without a conclusive fault diagnosis. Alan Edited August 4, 2018 by barkerwilliams Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 Last time that happened to me it was an intermittent fault in the ignition coil. Checked a lot of things before I realised it was the coil. A new coil fixed the problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bodiam Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 (edited) Lee, Had this happen to me, turned out to be the coil which came back to life when it had cooled a bit. Easy to check if you have any HT if it happens again. Good luck, John Edit: Just noticed Mike C has beaten me to it! Edited August 4, 2018 by Bodiam Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 Coils have no moving parts and are generally taken to be reliable components- well down the list of suspected causes. If you fit a new coil make sure it is in a cool location, well away from any engine heat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
leeduncombe Posted August 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 Thanks for all the advice guys; much appreciated. I just took the car out for an hour and it happened again. It seems to cut out at low revs (traffic lights etc) but only occasionally and usually starts after a minute or so of trying. It actually just did it as I got home so I was able to focus a bit more on the noise of the fuel pump which changed tone several times during the stall. That might be their usual operation, but I hadn't noticed it before, so I still wonder whether it is a fuel issue. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
k_raven_smith Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 Check that the fuel return from the metering unit is clear. If it isn't it causes the metering unit to run very rich and so flooding the engine Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aardvark Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 +1 for sounding electrical (coil). If it was fuel vaporising in the pump then the pump would scream. Cheers Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
openroad Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 +1 for the fuel return, sounds typical of it....blow down it see it it ia blocked at all. Cheers, Conrad. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steves_TR6 Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 Also check you have the correct fuel filler cap with a breather. Without this a vacuum can build up in the tank after a while causing duel starvation Fits your symptoms and easy to fix ! Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 Fuel vapourization is common in Australia on a hot day with tanks not venting properly. If the problem is tank venting it will cease immediately after opening the filler cap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Cobbold Posted August 5, 2018 Report Share Posted August 5, 2018 I recognise thos symptoms. It was the Inertia cut-off switch by the wiper motor. Connect its terminals together check. Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HSM Posted August 5, 2018 Report Share Posted August 5, 2018 I use to fit cooling fans to Lucas pumps many years ago.If the pump over heated turning on the fan would instantly cure the problem. Advise look elsewhere for the problem. Harvey S. Maitland Quote Link to post Share on other sites
leeduncombe Posted August 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2018 Thank you everyone for the replies. It is much appreciated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rcritchley Posted August 10, 2018 Report Share Posted August 10, 2018 Hi. I had a similar problem on the way to the International. I thought it was fuel vaporization but replacing the capacitor cured it. A cheapish fix but you can easily check by substitution. Buy a decent one from the Dizzy Dr. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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