John Mellor Posted November 4, 2021 Report Share Posted November 4, 2021 Hi all, lately Dixon ( my ex police car ) has begun to abruptly stop on tickover or very slow speed such as coming up to junction or lights. If I'm quick enough blipping the throttle can prevent the stall and if I fail that test a restart is absolutely instantaneous. Goes and starts really well and am not aware of a misfire. Seems electrical but how to tell??? Points, plugs and condenser only 500 miles and six months old. Plugs 1,2 and 3 look smokey, exhaust blows no smoke. Probably running a bit rich but thats no explanation. Comments and suggestions appreciated Regards John Mellor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted November 4, 2021 Report Share Posted November 4, 2021 Switch condensor first, then the coil. If its neither of these, then you will have tried and tested spares, always a good idea anyway. Can't see it being plugs or points really. John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Moltu Posted November 4, 2021 Report Share Posted November 4, 2021 Could be a wire shorting out when you are decellerating or possibly a float sticking and causing transient overfuelling. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted November 4, 2021 Report Share Posted November 4, 2021 3 hours ago, John Mellor said: Hi all, lately Dixon ( my ex police car ) has begun to abruptly stop on tickover or very slow speed such as coming up to junction or lights. If I'm quick enough blipping the throttle can prevent the stall and if I fail that test a restart is absolutely instantaneous. Goes and starts really well and am not aware of a misfire. Seems electrical but how to tell??? Points, plugs and condenser only 500 miles and six months old. Plugs 1,2 and 3 look smokey, exhaust blows no smoke. Probably running a bit rich but thats no explanation. Comments and suggestions appreciated Regards John Mellor Hi John, how old is the engine? The plugs may look smokey (rich) due to oil by-passing the pistons. THis would lower the Octane rating and also mask a weak mixture. A weak mixture could cause the engine to stop at low RPM. Despite the sooty plugs richen the carbs by one or two flats on the big nut underneath (SU's carbs) Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John L Posted November 4, 2021 Report Share Posted November 4, 2021 Could it be worn throttle spindles, then shutting butterfly completely? How low is your idle speed? John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndyR100 Posted November 4, 2021 Report Share Posted November 4, 2021 1 hour ago, John L said: Could it be worn throttle spindles, then shutting butterfly completely? How low is your idle speed? John Good call, This is exactly what used to happen to my car with worn throttle spindles - rebushed and all was well ......... Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted November 4, 2021 Report Share Posted November 4, 2021 Start also by checking the ignition timing. Too retarded will cause this type of stumble or stall. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Mellor Posted November 5, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2021 Hi all, thanks for suggestions. Answers to your questions; (1) engine rebuilt 10 years and 6000 miles ago by Neil Revington as a personal project( many of you may know the car , I'll add a pic ) (2) idlespeed around 900 (3) Can't believe it's running lean, it pulls like a steam train and it was running and starting so well when I bought it early this year I decided not to meddle with carbs (especially since it's been 40 years since I last did that with a colourtune plug - they still around? ). However will check static timing,try new condenser, then coil then enrich the mixture and finally look at throttle spindles. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Mellor Posted November 5, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2021 Addendum: coil or condenser should cause problems at normal running speed or at start up?? - or am I just 40 years too late to go back to a TR. Lack of soot on 4 fits in with that cylinder running hot ?? I couldn't open blockdrain when I flushed and changed coolant and didn't want to break tap as I did on radiator so left it; I was going to poke around there to try and release crud which others say builds up and causes hot liner. Am I liable to do harm? Sorry about the numpty lack of knowledge but haven't maintained my own cars for 30+ years and one does lose confidence as well as becoming increasingly aware of physical limitations bending over and under the car Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelH Posted November 5, 2021 Report Share Posted November 5, 2021 stopping at idle could be a carburetor problem dirt on the needle or suction chamber, if the needle is off centre If the electrical check fails to solve the problem Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Mellor Posted November 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2021 how embarrasing, lifted the distributor cap to change condenser as per suggestions above;the nut on the post holding down connections from condenser was loose +++. My fault I guess as it was me who changed points and condenser after buying the TR last March. However what to do about smokey plugs 1-3 - ?nothing as it runs and starts really well Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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