stalls!!

[benbenukuk]

hi, i have a problem with my series 3 2.25 petrol, near enouth every mouring I drive to work and the car stalls on me, it starts up first time and ticks over o.k for a few minutes then it will start spluttering and coughing reving it up sorts it out for a few moments then it does it again, I drive down the road stop at a junction then it will do it again and the red charge light will come and so I have to rev it again to stop it stalling, any ideas?  Ben

[datalas]

Check the points and the condenser would be my first guess...

Failing that, make sure the car is clean and not filled with gunk, both caused similar issues on my S2.

[benbenukuk]

thanks will check it tomorrow, it only stalls when its cold its o.k when its at normal temp

[James.Harwood]

This sounds like webber carb syndrome.  and once it is a bit warmer all is ok.

[ian_s]

i used to have a similar problem on my old astra, it turned out that the alternator brushes were worn out, so it wasnt chargin enough, so it stopped sparking!
and of course it got worse when the weather got colder and darker as i used the heater fan and the heated rear window and lights.

[benbenukuk]

yep its a webber, it all started going on when I changed the carb over but I went from one webber to another webber same one just newer any ideas how I can sort it?  Ben

[James.Harwood]

Yes, one webber does it and one doesn't, use the one that doesn't.

Failing that get a nice SU HS6 sidedraught for it, makes it fun to start but once running it doesn't often stop (well it does when you run out of petrol).

[Nick Bradshaw]

Is there any oil in the damper on the carb? Is there a hole in the Carb diaphragm? I'd have thought it's got to be petrol if it starts. The gap might be worth a go, and a new condensor is always useful.

[muddyjames]

could this just be something as simple as the tickover idler speed needs adjusting? To me it sounds like if it is running ok when cold then the choke is out and revving it higher, when it warms up the choke goes in and drops the revs. Does pulling the choke out help it at all even when warm?

My old series used to do this as the adjusting screw kept on vibrating slowly back in over a few months. It just needed a tweek and all was sorted.

[James.Harwood]

I was reading a bit about this on Internet earlier, it is to do partly with the carb "frosting" up.

Will have a look for the links and post them tomorrow

[benbenukuk]

Hi, I have kind of sorted out the problem, the carb is freezing so all I do now is rev it for a few minutes thats sorted that problem, now for one more the old girl doesn't keep running when shes started the first couple of times and it's also missfireing, I will have to check the spark plugs.  Ben

[James.Harwood]

That one could also be down to not having enough fuel in the float chamber when it first fires.

From cold, manually pump the fuel through and then try starting, if it stays running then it is fuel leaving the float chamber when not running (either leak in carb (not the Welsh sort) or one of the valves in the fuel pump is knackered or getting that way).

If it does cut out then as you say spark plugs points etc.

Try it a couple of times to make sure (yes it is a pain up the bum but is worth checking).