Series 3 petrol cutting out randomly

Got my '77 series 3 yesterday.....and broke down twice.

It seems to just decide to cough and splutter a bit, then stop completely and won't restart unless you leave it a while. I've searched posts around that suggest fuel pump, sounds like it probably is but is there any other places where crud can accumulate. As I've just been told this vehicle has done 100 miles in the last 6 years :|

Also got an issue with it jumping out of high box but that seems likely to be the detent spring from what I've read.

Cheers in advance for any help guys, off to walk round the corner to see if it's still where I abandoned it at 1.30am this morning....

There's a filter in the tank at the bottom of the outlet pipe and I think the Weber carb has a filter in the inlet as well. Carbs tend to gather rust and crud which can stop them working occasionally.
Other things that might cause your symptoms:-
Overheating engine - I presume you've checked this.
Vacuum in fuel tank caused by blocked vent in filler cap - highly unlikely, but it's a landy.
Intermittent short/discontinuity in coil that only becomes apparent when it's hot.
Condensor insulation breaking down when hot.
Intermittent connection in ignition low tension circuit.
HT lead from coil to dizzy intermittent.

These problems that come and go at random can be a bugger to diagnose, all you can do is sort all the potential problems and hope it goes away. I'd start by cleaning out the fuel system and carb and then I'd replace the points, condensor and HT components and then the coil, in that order.
Anyone got any other ideas?

oxides said:

There's a filter in the tank at the bottom of the outlet pipe and I think the Weber carb has a filter in the inlet as well. Carbs tend to gather rust and crud which can stop them working occasionally.
Other things that might cause your symptoms:-
Overheating engine - I presume you've checked this.
Vacuum in fuel tank caused by blocked vent in filler cap - highly unlikely, but it's a landy.
Intermittent short/discontinuity in coil that only becomes apparent when it's hot.
Condensor insulation breaking down when hot.
Intermittent connection in ignition low tension circuit.
HT lead from coil to dizzy intermittent.

These problems that come and go at random can be a bugger to diagnose, all you can do is sort all the potential problems and hope it goes away. I'd start by cleaning out the fuel system and carb and then I'd replace the points, condensor and HT components and then the coil, in that order.
Anyone got any other ideas?

Click to expand...

Sound advice there, nothing really to add.

check the gaskets between the carb and the manifold if they are shot itll be sucking in more air than petrol

I'll check it all out in the week - thanks for giving me a starting point.

Semi tempted to just be done with it and throw the 200tdi sat on the floor in there if I'm honest!

Have replaced the in line fuel filter today with a better one that's actually clear unlike the other one where you could just see the level. Noticed straight away a few flakes of **** in there so I'd say thats a pretty good indicator of the issue!

Admittedly yesterday when filling it up, I probably overfilled it as it was dripping out the tank for a good while. Left it at just under full and came back to it just under 3/4 - I know the gauge isn't much to go by but sounds like a possible tank issue there, which would also explain crap in the fuel filter....

Again, very tempted to scrap the tank, stick a replacement/diesel one in, and drop the 200 in....we shall see, ill update with anything I find.

Keep us updated. My '76 had it's first run out for a while yesterday (with new oil seals, brake pads etc) and did excatly the same. Ran smoothly and then suddenly started poping and carrying on, then died completely. Fortunately on a hill as battery also was nearly dead, so crash started with some reluctance on the Landies part, good long hill thankfully, and then she ran beaut again....

Have replaced battery, will take it for another run and see how it goes. In line fuel filter looks clear of crud..

Not overheating, but does seem to be a warm running issue..

Could be a sticking float in the carb.

Haven;t looked at the fuel system just yet but investigated the dropping out of high box issue....and pretty sure I've found the cause!



Whoever decided to chequer plate the floor decided to use ridiculously long bolts that just happen to be right in the way of the red lever....removed it for now while waiting at the girlfriend's house and will replace with something more appropriate!

Drove it 12 miles back from the girlfriends and it didn't jump out once - must have jumped out 6 times on the way there!

Tomorrow I will dismantle the carb a bit to see whats going on there, and check out the lift pump as well. Chatting to the resident landy expert at work who said to keep a spare spark plug with me, and next time it happens check I'm getting a spark so I'll do that too....

Of course the cutting out could be related to the ignition switch problem.....

Had a run out again today, got there fine and it coughed, spluttered and died again. Great I thought - day off work and girlfriends at home tidying the house.

Straight away noticed the in line fuel filter was almost empty and thought I'd found the problem - left it half an hour and operated the hand pump and it filled the filter up - few air bubbles though. Re-cranked it - nope.

Eventually the battery ran flat (not much charge in it to start off with!) so called breakdown people. Shortly afterwards a 110 pulls up behind me to look at a telegraph pole that had been mown down and offers me a tow - wasn't having it still.

Got a call to say he was down the road and a 90 stops and offers help - love how friendly everyone is!

Breakdown guy turns up - no spark. Turns out the HT lead at the condenser was loose - makes sense that it drops out when it gets hot as the metal expands and eventually lets go.

All well and good - but I'm assuming this wouldnt affect the lack of fuel in the filter. While I was waiting I had a look at the glass bowl and it looked dirty as anything so will sort that. Assuming that the retention clamp just lifts off, swings out and it'll all become apparent. Will post back with results!