nigelcurry Posted January 4, 2023 Report Share Posted January 4, 2023 Hi all and a happy new year to all I removed all six plugs on my 72 and all six were black,the car had been driven a bit prior to winter strip down for painting but not a lot.My question is how difficult is it to do a basic tune if this should be needed and bearing in mind I come somewhere between zero and zero on the idiot amateur scale but I am willing to learn.I should mention Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nigelcurry Posted January 4, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2023 Sorry,pressed the wrong button (see what I mean about idiot)what I was about to finish with was that all plugs and leads cap,points and condenser are new and the car seemed to be running ok last year but covered approximately fifty miles when testing other components fitted as all ways any comments gratefully received nige Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted January 4, 2023 Report Share Posted January 4, 2023 I'd start by looking at the fuel enrichment lever on the side of the MU and make sure it is free and not stuck on full choke. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barkerwilliams Posted January 4, 2023 Report Share Posted January 4, 2023 Is it a pi, if so how did you turn the engine off? Because the pi idles rich it nees to be ran at a couple of thousand rpm for a little while then killed without idling. The you can get a proper look at the plugs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John L Posted January 4, 2023 Report Share Posted January 4, 2023 As do a suck test on the MU, pipe from the manifold to the MU, to check if the diaphragm is holding vacuum, as this will control the amount of richness. The vacuum will bring the MU fueling to a better running value. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 4, 2023 Report Share Posted January 4, 2023 Hi Nigel, as you are going to do work on the car that will take some time I would suggest that you do no touch the fuel system until ready for blast off in the Summer. Then you can spend some decent time assessing the problem. Firstly fit new plugs and then as suggested above turn the engine off in the correct way to assess the colour. As a self professed numpty (in the nicest way) do not go fiddling with the PI controls. Speak to a knowledgeable club member or take to a suitable garage. Look over their shoulder if they allow to see what is going on. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mk2 Chopper Posted January 4, 2023 Report Share Posted January 4, 2023 There is also the throttle bodies to look at, such as they should all be in sync and throttle plates/ butterflies shut at idle. Plus any vacuum leaks around them. The mixture is changed via the amount of vacuum the engine is making so wear and tear or wrongly adjusted tappets can also affect it. Gareth Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted January 4, 2023 Report Share Posted January 4, 2023 All of the above assumes that you are not burning oil, and I guess you would know if that were happening-just covering this base-" between zero and zero on the idiot amateur scale". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nigelcurry Posted January 4, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2023 Thanks guys will check it out, once again thanks nige Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted January 4, 2023 Report Share Posted January 4, 2023 12 hours ago, nigelcurry said: Sorry,pressed the wrong button (see what I mean about idiot)what I was about to finish with was that all plugs and leads cap,points and condenser are new and the car seemed to be running ok last year but covered approximately fifty miles when testing other components fitted as all ways any comments gratefully received nige I suggest that just covering 50 miles before putting away May contribute to the sooting. I’d replace the plugs and give it a real blast to clear it’s lungs - otherwise know as an Italian tune up. Then work from there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John McCormack Posted January 4, 2023 Report Share Posted January 4, 2023 15 hours ago, Mike C said: I'd start by looking at the fuel enrichment lever on the side of the MU and make sure it is free and not stuck on full choke. I suspect this is the problem. With little use the enrichment lever gets sticky. My car had had very little usage in the years before I bought it. The lever would sometimes stick on and could only be released by putting your fingers down between the engine block and metering unit to physically push the lever home. Push hard. Soak the mechanism in WD40 or similar and move it back and forwards until it feels it is moving freely. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nigelcurry Posted January 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2023 Got it lads thanks once again,I think I will leave it until I can give the car a proper road test and use the welcome advice given nige Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nigel Triumph Posted January 5, 2023 Report Share Posted January 5, 2023 19 hours ago, John McCormack said: I suspect this is the problem. With little use the enrichment lever gets sticky. My car had had very little usage in the years before I bought it. The lever would sometimes stick on and could only be released by putting your fingers down between the engine block and metering unit to physically push the lever home. Push hard. Soak the mechanism in WD40 or similar and move it back and forwards until it feels it is moving freely. Then take your car out for a spirited 'Italian tune up' for at least 20 miles and check the plugs again. They will probably be fine but if not, further investigation will be required. Nigel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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