Not so stupid (maybe)

Hmmm, not sure it was a lack of fuel.

Took it for a run last night and the same thing happened. Definitely petrol in it this time!

Had my head right in the bonnet when it stalled and there was a whoosh as gas came back out of the inlet manifold.

Which makes me think it must be timing?

Any ideas?

Peter.

What other symptons are you seeing TallPete eg: Does it seem lumpy at tickover ? Does it seem to be down on power ? Is it using more fuel than normal ? Is it a "pig" to start ?

If a car stalls then you could see a small amount of gases come back down the  inlet pipe. If it stalls before all the gases have escaped, and then exhaust valve closes and the inlet is open and it was on a compression stroke then it will go thru the only available route I would have thought.

I would start with the basic timing checks to make sure it running to all the marks as per normal setup, then move on to things like coil, disi and cap, leads etc etc. A faulty coil is a real pain in the rear as its hard to trace sometimes IMO.

tallpete said

Hmmm, not sure it was a lack of fuel.
Peter.

You've redeemed yourself then pete?!

Only other symptoms are that it has been running hot for a week or so.

When it's running it hesitates and won't idle very well.

I did think coil myself, I had all the other stuff, Dizzy, plugs points, leads etc done not so long ago.

The coil is the most battered specimen of a coil I have ever seen!

Only thing is, I couldn't see how that explains the Whoosh. I don't remember fitting a turbo/dump valve?

Think I'll order a coil, had been meaning to swap it anyway.

Peter.

Can someone check the no. for me please.

VW gave me the no 171 905 115 and they want ?50!!!

surely some mistake!

Peter.

ETKA lists that one for 1979-1980 all models?  1981 Fuel injected one is 211 905 115 B

Thanks for that, GSF list a bosch one for a 1.6 injection for 18.00 +VAT so i'll go for that.

Guess the later ones are for electronic ignition?

Peter.

Ahhh - that'll be it

Ok, it was the rotor arm.

The built in resistor had busted. Only a couple of months old.

I called up the garage who fitted it and they have agreed to refund and apologised. They said they normally fit bosch but couldn't get any when I got it done.

Oh, and before you ask, I got them to do it because they were doing the points, which I was a bit unsure about doing myself.

The AA chap was a top bloke. Used to run an Astra GTE back in the day. He used some little see through plastic things which fit inbetween the various connections and flash when the voltage goes through them so you can see where the sparks getting to, anyone used them? Looks like they save you getting shocked using the pull off the leads one by one method!

Funny thing is the tickovers a bit high now? Now sure if thats the rotor arm or the new condensor, cap and coil I also fitted.

Anyway, also found an air leak so new injector seals tomorrow.

Peter.