David Brignell Posted January 27, 2022 Report Share Posted January 27, 2022 Having a slight problem with the running of the engine. After a reasonably long run the engine runs on after turning off the ignition and coughs a bit out of the recyling valve on top of the rocker cover. Also the inner two plugs seem to soot up whereas the outer two are light brown as they should be. I have checked the mixture and timing but they seem OK. Any ideas? Also has anyone fitted a catch tank? Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ctc77965o Posted January 27, 2022 Report Share Posted January 27, 2022 Could be crankcase oil/fumes coming though the crankcase breather and igniting by compression ignition. You could modify the crankcase emissions system, address the source of the crankcase pressure (engine condition?), or just stop the engine after a long run by intentionally stalling it (bring up clutch with foot hard on brake). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted January 27, 2022 Report Share Posted January 27, 2022 (edited) When was the engine last decoked? Could be a lot of carbon on the back of the valves causing the running on. Edited January 27, 2022 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boxofbits Posted January 27, 2022 Report Share Posted January 27, 2022 You could have a head gasket problem across the two centre pots. If it’s dryish black soot it’s probably fuel, but if it’s a waxy, deep brown scaly soot it could be oil or carbon build up as per Peter’s image above. Does it burn oil? Kevin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted January 28, 2022 Report Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) Hi David, I had the same issue from time to time, more with the engine (coal) hot, a 71°C thermostat helped sometimes, different ignition setting or different petrol did not help. Finally I fitted 2 "petrol stop valves" direct in front of the main jet like other producers did in front of their idle jet. A hughe improvement was to fit a pair of better HS6 carbs instead of the carbs which have been on my TR4A. And the "new" carbs did nou have that little spring loaded valves; so I cannot tell you what finally helped. But with the "new" carbs I currently do not need to use my "petrol stop valves" anymore. Ciao, Marco Edited January 28, 2022 by Z320 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted January 28, 2022 Report Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) Having the outer cylinders a bit weaker than the inners is quite normal and is probably due to the intake geometry. Nothing to do with burning oil or blown head gaskets, it's just the way this engine seems to work. If the inners are too black, perhaps you may need to weaken the mixture just a tad. As for the running-on , what spark plugs are you using? They can affect this. Edited January 28, 2022 by RobH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phil Read Posted January 28, 2022 Report Share Posted January 28, 2022 Have you checked the ignition timing? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted January 28, 2022 Report Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) In my opionion: if you switch off the ignition, and the engine indeed want's to stop because there are no igmition sparks anymore, but does not stop, it does not matter how the ignition was or is adjusted before you switched it off? Is there anything wrong in my thought? Edited January 28, 2022 by Z320 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted January 28, 2022 Report Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Z320 said: In my opionion: if you switch off the ignition, and the engine indeed want's to stop because there are no igmition sparks anymore, but does not stop, it does not matter how the ignition was or is adjusted before you switched it off? Is there anything wrong in my thought? No. The hot carbon/coke/coal deposits in the engine glows hot after running and ignites the incoming fuel/air mixture. Edited January 28, 2022 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted January 28, 2022 Report Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) Running on must be one of the most common complaints! A search here finds nearly 1300 posts, not including this thread, dating back twenty years! Again, for some reason I cannot post a link, but go the 'Search' button and use "running on", in quotes to search with. It's such a common complaint that a special page might be worthwhile, listing all the found causes and their cures! John Edited January 28, 2022 by john.r.davies Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted January 28, 2022 Report Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) Running on increases with hot engines, the ignition is without a spark only from the hot parts/coal AND petrol. This is why most produces fitted a "fuel stop" or "air stop" valve in the line to the idle jet - sadly SUs don't have one. For example the air cooled VW beetle always had a "fuel stop valve" (laud to Ferdinand Porsche). In my case worn SUs (I never believed it) caused the problem. Edited January 28, 2022 by Z320 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phil Read Posted January 28, 2022 Report Share Posted January 28, 2022 1 hour ago, Z320 said: In my opionion: if you switch off the ignition, and the engine indeed want's to stop because there are no igmition sparks anymore, but does not stop, it does not matter how the ignition was or is adjusted before you switched it off? Is there anything wrong in my thought? If I interpret your question correctly the answer is this. If the ignition timing is retarded too far the engine cylinder temperature is increased, this can cause the engine to run on (dieseling) when the ignition is switched off. Advanced ignition has the same effect but usually if the ignition is too far advance you would hear the engine "pinking" under load. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Moltu Posted January 28, 2022 Report Share Posted January 28, 2022 Later SUs on some later carbed cars (not TRs) had anti run on valves. Metros I think. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted January 28, 2022 Report Share Posted January 28, 2022 Hi Phil, you are absolutely right: a hot engine because of a wrong adjusted ignition can cause running on. But with a ignition adjusted "about" correct some degrees difference causes nothing. I played on the screw for a long time... Ciao, Marco Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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