Engine Problems

obsesscort · 17-06-2011, 06:41 PM

Hey guys I'm doing a bit of winter work on the old girl after an odd jumping sensation in the engine and I've seemed to have run into more problems. I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced this before/has suggestions at a direction of attack.

Initial problem: when accelerating (regardless of gear) engine would shudder and almost stop pulling for a brief second, not so it was a huge problem but it was unpleasant to drive. After doing some work on the engine (below) it now struggles to start, the starter motor is turning over very fast and sometimes catches but in order for the engine to start, the key needs to be held on for about 30 seconds to really get it going....

So here's what I did...
- checked the carby which seems to be running fine and shows no problems
- checked all major connections: replaced battery terminals (very needed), checked high tension leads, cleaned up and degreased engine

I had a new altenator installed 6 months ago and it seems to be running fine.

Am i right in saying the firing sequence is 1 2 4 3 on the 1.6L motors, where 1 is the closest plug to the radiator and 3 is the one closest to the fire wall? (maybe i didn't connect them properly?)

Any insight would be appreciated!

WOGBOY69 · 18-06-2011, 12:14 AM

Hi Mate

Well Iam Just Think From My Past .tinkering Around In My Younger Years ..lol
When You Changed The The Starter Did You Look At The Ring Gear ,,what Did They Look Like ,,ring Gear On The Fly....
Cars They Can Very Tempermental..but Hay Theres Realy Not Much That Can Go Wroung With These Old Cars Very Strait Forward ...unlike New Stuff Today...could Be Thousdands Of Things......
Mate Good Luck With It All..iam Going Threw My Headaccs As Well With The Capri....

obsesscort · 18-06-2011, 12:01 PM

Hey mate didnt change the starter it was the altenator, however a few bolts had fallen out in the past and it made a terrible grinding noise, i've since replaced these bolts and it has been working very well for the last 8 months....

thanks for your input and good luck with the capri

coasty · 18-06-2011, 04:13 PM

The firing order is 1243 and the plugs go (from the rad) 1234. So I'm guessin you have 3 + 4 around the wrong way.

RangerStacey · 18-06-2011, 05:11 PM

Start accelerating then stop or shudder could be a vacumn leak.
Also check points if not Elec Ign.

hendrixhc · 18-06-2011, 05:28 PM

Wog boy is correct in what he is saying that the ring gears do get chewed out and do not engage with the starter. This should be evident though cause A) you would here clashing and B) the engine will not rotate.

Check if you are getting spark when you crank the engine, if not checl points dizzy etc.

If you are getting spark then the issue maybe timing or fuel.

Dont trust the carby if you havent o/hauled it, it would be pay to get it checked o/hauled. My standrad carbn was a piece of sh++ even after it was o/hauled. Wouldnt let the corty pull, pinged like crazy and had flat spots.

I swapped out for a side draft weber and never had any issues after that.

Hope this helps!

muzzy · 18-06-2011, 06:02 PM

Ballast resistor or coil, excess voltage drain to the coil will cause what you have discussed, Although your not clear , I'm assuming the engine is cranking over as opposed to starter turning.

obsesscort · 19-06-2011, 06:57 PM

Hey guys, thanks a lot for your in depth posts.

I did what you guys suggested, and I ended up back at the carby... I played around with the mix and idle, because initially after those tests when i pumped the accellerator it completely cut out and there were little explosions and stuff.

But yeah, I pretty much played around with those screws and it seemed to fix it up....

Thanks again everyone!!!