Ignition timing on 1.8 carb keeps slipping out

quick n dirty test for that, run a wire from battery +ve to coil and crank it, if it fires lovely the ignition power is to blame

Great thanks will try later!

Also fuse 18 to the over run valve blew randomly today on way to work.  All connections seem ok.  Any reason this fuse might be blowing?

18 also does the coolant level warning if you have that feature, and it also powers the horn relay so check that too.

look at pins D/7, G/5, G/2 and A/26 on the fusebox (see fusebox sticky)

Thanks John, the jump lead from battery to coil made no difference.

I decided to check the coil, and found out that the one I got from euro car parts was the wrong one…it was for a car without electronic ignition.  So I got a new one and put that on, and seems better.  Also found the power to the choke heater had snapped!  Weather is so warm at the moment that can't really tell if problem sorted, as need to test from cold start.

Thanks for your help, fingers crossed it is fixed

Also, did a compression test today and all 4 cylinders were spot on 14 bar….but Haynes says range is 10 to 13.   Is this a issue.

Andy

sounds fine to me, i wouldnt worry. higher compression is good anyway