SIII now started stuttering please help!

Bugger it, after pretty much replacing the entire ignition system my 1982 SIII was running perfectly. Timed at 6BTDC it ran like a dream on a short test drive this afternoon after putting in a new coil, dizzy, plugs (leads are very recent). I parked her up, went inside to change, got back in 5 mins later, turned the key and she started but was suddenly lumpy.

Drove her 10 miles and she was stuttering very badly on acceleration, like a du-du-du-du-du when you put your foot down, she sounded like a diesel rotovator!

Timing if fine still on 6BTDC, I fitted a different carb I knew was a runner and still the same. I used my timing light to check each HT lead and each caused it to flash as did the HT lead to the coil. She idles okish but is just a bit rougher. Its on putting your foot down she just bogs and stutters away. I'm so gutted.

Does anyone have any ideas what might cause this? My thought was a failed coil (it was a cheapish bearmach one) as I'm using a brand new electronic dizzy. Compression check perhaps?

cheers
Al

Still sounds like fuel ...


eermmm ... thinking about it ...

condenser ?

Is the vacuum advance tube fitted correctly & in good condition?

Clean the gauze filter & sediment bowl on the pump.

Maybe I should check the fuel pump then? Inline filter blockage or something perhaps. It can't be the carb as I put two on, one of which 100% as it was brand new!

Air leak somewhere maybe? I've got some fresh inlet manifold gaskets so I could try that?

Edit:

Thanks Diddypud, no condenser in the electronic dizzy. Vacuum advance tube is brand new (its a classic mini part mind but fits fine). Using the strobe it appears to advance ok. I'll get at the pump and clean it up as a first step then look at the electronics again.

I was almost there (taking her for a proper drive!)

What fuel you got in it? I had all manner of problems with warm engine boiling modern. Fitted an electric fuel pump and much, much better. However it was also helped by moving the fuel feed pipe away from the engine block.

I went through a lot of fuel/ignition parts before I'd convinced myself...

Yes i have been reading your old posts, have put it on my list to go through. My filter didnt look as full as it did but fuel was dribbling in. The bit the pipe rests on was hot and my dizzy was also very hot so maybe the fuel pump is also getting warm. There is a thick layer of crud all over that part of the engine (drivers side) ; could be insulating it and pushing up temps?
I have spare plugs (new) and a coil so will try that first but from the way it is now firing it isjust a little bit more like fuel as you suggest. Either that or im a cylinder down on compression or spark. I have a list of 14 items and the missus is back tomorrow, its raining and dark but im going in..........

Edit:
I checked the landy from cold just now and she started after a couple of seconds turning over (was instant previously). So she is starting but isn't doing so as well as before; the engine isn't popping or coughing on starting just gradually kind of getting going. As it starts to fire I keep the starter engaged and it kind of picks up and runs. So not a jerky type bad start. That doesn't make sense I know!

She was still doing the stuttering from cold so I think the heating up of the fuel pipe/pump is a no no. Idled away after a 45 second warm up with no choke but as soon as you put your foot down the engine goes put-put-put-put and so on until you let off the gas and she idles back down again. Now this only happens if I stomp on the throttle or rev quickly, if you slowly build the revs she is smooth up to a point then stutters again and starts to die.

I pulled the vacuum advance tube off the carb and sucked on it; the advance moved ok in the dizzy, looked smooth. The advance being the issue perhaps doesn't make sense as the engine now starts harder than previously. Although it idles ok. Its got to be a timing issue or a fuel supply issue though? I just have a suspicion that its timing and maybe my new distributor has failed somehow. I'll take it out and check it over as a first step.

I checked the coil resistance and it was reading 0.4 ish (it was 0.5 ish previously) and 5000 which it was before. Checked rotor arm, and cap, leads all plugged in. Fuel filter looked quite full of petrol; I manually pumped the fuel and nothing happened but I guess the carb bowl was full.

Here is my list to check based on spare parts I have:-

1. Remove distributor and check over (do I need to oil/grease anything in a distributor?), refit and re-time at 6BTDC.
2. Replace coil.
3. Replace plugs.
4. Check compression while plugs out.
5. Double check vacuum advance pipe.
6. Replace in inline fuel filter.
7. Clean fuel pump and check for blockages.
8. Replace inlet manifold gaskets.
9. Check for water in the fuel.

Have I missed anything obvious off to check?

(Sorry I write far too much stuff when I get going ; )

New plugs, reset timing, checked advance, checked coil, compression all within 7psi, still stuttering like a good un

but

i just tried hand priming the fuel pump and it was dribbling, so looks like pump may be at fault here, no pressure at all from the end of the fuel line!

SOLVED

Not the fuel pump, this was fine. Taking it off pi**ed oil all over my drive too!

It was the coil. Brand new Bearmach unit. Junk. Fitted the old Lucas unit and she fired and revved up no stutters. F***ing crappy parts. Ordered a new Lucas unit and requested a return on the piece of sh*t bearmach unit.

New parts are no guarantee that they bloody work. It lasted all of 2 miles. I know the inside of that engine bay like the back of my hand now anyway!

Quick last word on this; got the landy running very sweet now. Have the elec 45D dizzy, ngk plugs, zenith copy carb new, lucas gold sport coil and she starts very easily cold and is a pleasure to drive. I can revommend the leccy ignition on my short experience of it, its like a different engine.
Cheers

glad it's sorted, crappy news about the bearmach unit