Pete0922 Posted October 26, 2020 Report Share Posted October 26, 2020 I recently bought a 1970 TR6 with twin Strombergs. This certainly is not a fully restored example, but the mechanics appeared in good shape. One of the items on my checklist was to check the oil level in the carbs, as I suspected, it was low. I topped both off with 20-50. Now the car barely starts! I was careful not to overfill the dashpods, but it appears that somehow there is now oil in the fuel system - is that even possible?? I have considered draining the oil to see if that makes a difference. At the moment I am at a loss. Any advise would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JochemsTR Posted October 26, 2020 Report Share Posted October 26, 2020 Pete, what do you mean you topped off ? You put in a few droplets (!!!) and look at the damper height. Dimension A should be about 6 milimeter. Then you screw on the cap. Your car isn't starting because of a few drops too much oil. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete0922 Posted October 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2020 Jochmes - Thanks, that's what I figured. I have since drained some oil from both carbs. Unfortunately, it hasn't improved the issue. I will recheck, ensure I have 6mm and try again. Thanks again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted October 26, 2020 Report Share Posted October 26, 2020 A simple check is to take the air cleaner off and push the pistons up with your finger Pete. You should feel the resistance due to the damper oil as they raise but they should raise fully and then drop easily with no sticking when you let go. What exactly do you mean when you say the car 'barely starts' ? Does it stall again as if running out of fuel or just about keep chugging but refusing to rev? Bear in mind the possibility that under Sod's law, this fault may be a co-incidence entirely unrelated to anything you have done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete0922 Posted October 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2020 RobH - I will check the pistons, thanks for the suggestion. When the car starts it chugs and will only rev to 1200-1500rpm. I keep constant pressure on the accelerator - then it will die after 15-20 seconds. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted October 26, 2020 Report Share Posted October 26, 2020 I think that sounds as though it is over-rich. What colour are the plugs? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete0922 Posted October 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2020 I changed the plugs about a week ago, so they look good. Regarding being "over rich". When the car was running well, I would individually lift the piston in both cabs and the engine would start to stall. I believe that is an indication of the mixture being too lean. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted October 26, 2020 Report Share Posted October 26, 2020 Yes but that was when it was running OK Pete. Now it isn't....... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete0922 Posted October 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2020 Good point RobH. I'll check it in the morning and adjust as necessary. I'll let you know. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harlequin Posted October 27, 2020 Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 (edited) Hi Pete I don't think it can be anything serious, the first thing that I would check is that the diaphragms are not split. Next would be that the choke is not stuck on George Edited October 27, 2020 by harlequin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted October 27, 2020 Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 8 hours ago, Pete0922 said: I'll check it in the morning and adjust as necessary. Unlikely to be adjustment. Provided the pistons are free it's as George says - much more likely a sticking choke linkage or split diaphragm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Mckiernan Posted October 27, 2020 Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 Morning Pete, 20/50 far to thick for dash pot oil. Needs to be quite light otherwise its almost impossible for the pistons to lift properly . Get that oil out , dont refill until you have got the engine running cleanly again then refill with much thinner oil. We used Auto transmission oil if nothing else was to hand, worked fine. Mick. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kevo_6 Posted October 27, 2020 Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/BDR125.aspx?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjPSM3NDU7AIVleJ3Ch3Z7AEtEAAYASAAEgLajPD_BwE This is available. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harlequin Posted October 27, 2020 Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 2 hours ago, Michael Mckiernan said: Morning Pete, 20/50 far to thick for dash pot oil. Needs to be quite light otherwise its almost impossible for the pistons to lift properly . Get that oil out , dont refill until you have got the engine running cleanly again then refill with much thinner oil. We used Auto transmission oil if nothing else was to hand, worked fine. Mick. Strange you should say that, I have run both my TRs with 20/50 in the dashpots for years, I know straight 20 is the recommended oil but my TR6 seems to prefer the engine oil. Fickle things these old cars! George Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Mckiernan Posted October 27, 2020 Report Share Posted October 27, 2020 Really strange as you say " but " if it was ok before you filled the dash-pots !! As Rob has said check the choke linkage and check the diaphragm's are good also it might be a good idea to remove the air cleaner just to make sure the pistons rise and fall nicely. Could be a totally unrelated fault , got to love a old TR. Just to be clear the engine did run fine before ?? Mick. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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