Technical Panda 1000 fire cut out woes

[cube]

Hi, newbe here in need of help and moral support.

The car in question is my daughters 1992 fire clx, TLF32 carb and mechanical points. The car intermittantly cuts out usually after slowing down at a junction or after turning the engine off then attempting to re start a few minutes after popping into the shop. This started about 2 months ago when it would happen say once a week, always started immediatly after. This last 2 weeks it will run for 10mins or up to a couple of days then stops / cuts out usually with impatient que behind and progressivly needing more time to get started again.

The car runs well 40+mpg, accellerates and ticks over well, will cruse at an indicated 80 for 20 miles no problem.

The vac advance seems to be holding vac well, points are fine, good spark, fuel pump pumps well, had the carb top body to bits the float and needle seem fine blew out the jets I could see dosnt seem to be flooding either.

The problem I have is I never seem to be around or the fault dosn't remain long enough to diagnose as so far it runs again soon after it happens.

One time it happened when I was in the car I opened the petrol filler cap (suspecting a blocked vent) and I think pressure was released rather than vac in the tank.

Any suggestions much appreciated before I have a Basil Faulty moment with a big stick :bang:

 

[xsparky]

Could quite possibly be the ignition module on the back of the distributor, they fail after a while sometimes giving those symptoms. If you hit ebay at the right time you can get a new one for about a tenner.
Good luck!
Mike

 

[lewey]

Could quite possibly be the ignition module on the back of the distributor, they fail after a while sometimes giving those symptoms. If you hit ebay at the right time you can get a new one for about a tenner.
Good luck!
Mike

It's got points Mike, so doesn't have a module like you describe.

As you say, it is hard to diagnose if it runs so well most of the time. All the usual fuel and ignition problems would manifest themselves more readily in other ways you would have thought. Perhaps experiment with points gap? Possible mild failing of the coil when it gets hot?

 

[CLXCraig]

I think Mike is meaning the amplifier on the distributor, same problem Jon had on the trip to gaydon. The 92/93 clx is a mix between new and old. bugger of a car. I'm with Mike on this one

 

[Bougainvillea Rosso]

But the amplifier goes with the electronic distributor only doesn't it?

 

[CLXCraig]

Which the 92/93 clx has. its the "inbetweener"

 

[Bougainvillea Rosso]

It just says 1992 though. My 92 CLX has points so it could be either.

*Edit* The poster says 'mechanical points' !!!

 

[CLXCraig]

Hmm, theres a lot of confusion it seems over the differences in years and models. Not something we need to go into again!

OP, what is the date of registration? if post sept 92' do check the amplifier on the distributor. small black box on the inside face, two wires in the top. if they are loose/coroded this problem will persist. replacements can be bought from motor factors for about £30 i think. or as mentioned before, ebay

 

[cube]

hi thanks for the responses, I don't think it has an ignighter thing, I had the distributer of a couple of days ago (manelli type sorry if spelling wrong) to check as haynes refers to different types, the cars a March 92 reg and its deffo a simple points and condenser only arrangement has 47k miles on the clock.

The first thing I did was change the coil as the spark at the coil looked weak - & I had simmilar fault on a mini some 20 yrs ago (£16 euro car parts)

I know I'm posing an impossible question but I'm greatfull for your replies and all comments are appreciated. The symptons make me think its heat or fuel blockage / vent related, I just wish I could detect and fault when the failure occurs

Lunch time I replaced the fuel filter with a generic one so Im still poking and hoping on a trial and error quest unfortunatley there is no immediate feedback to convince me Ive fixed it.

Where's the best place to get points and a condenser from, local fiat dealer says £35 for the 2 seems excessive to me?

Rg Neil

 

[Bougainvillea Rosso]

Have a looked on ebay for a condensor, although it's not always that easy to tell if it's the right one. A decent factors should have one? It does sound a bit like a blockage but you've checked the jets on the carb... Unless there's lots of rubbish in the tank? Has it run out of petrol lately? Do you have an after market fuel filter fitted?

 

[Chas Uno]

A weak spark could most likely be a failing condensor. Only way to find out is to replace it.

A points (contact breaker) ignition system with condensor will not have the ignition amplifier - and all points are 'mechanical'!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I think Mike is meaning the amplifier on the distributor, same problem Jon had on the trip to gaydon. The 92/93 clx is a mix between new and old. bugger of a car. I'm with Mike on this one

Not on cars with points

But the amplifier goes with the electronic distributor only doesn't it?

Yep, and electronic distributor doesn't have points, so the OP won't have an electronic distributor like you say as the OP has stated they have points.

Which the 92/93 clx has. its the "inbetweener"

Some do some don't. Dad's 91 1000CL had an electronic distributor with amp and no points.

 

[Giacosa]

Just my tuppence worth but it might be a fuel vaporisation problem. The main feed for the carburettor goes quite close to the cam cover which is why I guess it came with a heavy woven material round it from the factory. As the car slows the fuel will pass through less rapidly and may have time to produce a vapor lock in the feed and there is enough heat from the engine. If the woven pipe has been replaced with an ordinary rubber one or the engine is producing a lot of excess heat it could be the problem. Just a thought

 

[cube]

Having replaced the condenser on the distributer about 10 days ago all has been well - fingers crossed

 

[Pandarus]

Fingers crossed for you, it's nice when you get a niggly problem like that sorted.

 

[Bougainvillea Rosso]

Nice one