Technical Tip timing problem?

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Technical Tip timing problem?

Akeldama

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Nov 21, 2003
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Manchester, United Kingdom.
Hi folks, my first time posting here

I've got a problem with my 1991 Tipo 1.6 SX DGT. It hasn't run for a month as I'm awaiting payday so I can afford to get it fixed. But I'm not sure what the problem is and I'd be grateful if anyone has any ideas once I outline the problem.

A month ago I went to the work car park to drive home. The car wouldn't start, it was turning over and misfiring horribly. I called out the AA, the mechanic said my distributer wasn't tightened properly and he tightened it up so it fitted flush against the engine. The car seemed to run fine and I set off to collect my partner from work.

20 miles later the car began to lack power. I would have to drop to a lower gear than expected in each situation. I got to the car park at my girlfriend's workplace and the car wouldn't start again. So I called the AA out again. This mechanic tried moving the distributer slightly to change the timing slightly. It would then run for a little while before misfiring and finally stalling again. It seemed he could adjust it to run for a whole, but within a few minutes something would change (even though the dizzy hadn't moved) to change the timing again. The problem became compounded when the mechanic said my car was idling too fast anyway and lowered the idle rpm, it was then more difficult to make it run. It was dark in the car park and not being able to see an immediate cause or resolution I was towed home, where my car has sad lonely in the drive for a month.

I must admit over the 6 months I've had my Tipo I've grown to love it, and would love to get it fixed. But money being an issue I'd like to fix it myself or with friends if we have some idea of the problem. So folks, anyone any idea what the cause of this problem could be?

Many thanks in advance

Harry Neary
 
Had a very similar problem with my 1.6 SX DGT. Look inside the distributor cap, if theres oil or an oil film clean it out thoroughly with a solvent or buy a new one. If this works then you need to change the oil seal on the distributor shaft. Part is cheap, but you need to take the distributor off the end of the camshaft housing and dismantle it to replace the seal. If I remember rightly you can see the seal after you pull the rotor arm off. Mark the disributor position before you undo the three nuts, if it is not already marked, so you can put it back in the same place, which hopefully after the AA man played with it he put it back to the original position. To get the timing spot on you will need a strobe light as there are no CB's on this engine.

Good luck.

16VT Coupe
156 2Ltr TS
 
Thanks a lot for that Kadee. I will check that. I still haven't fixed the car yet. Mainly as I couldn't afford to get anyone to do it. And my skills are not great. I bought the Haynes manual a week ago and intend to get the car sorted during january. I will have a look at the distributer tomorrow and see if this is the cause.

Almost funny: The car seems to not like being in my driveway. The car will no longer lock on the driver's side and the right rear tire has gone flat. I suppose I should get a different car - but I really like my Tipo.
 
If I remember rightly, rotating the distributor will make no difference to the timing as it is handled by the Digiplex ECU - it only makes a difference with the 1.4. As for not locking on the drivers side, most likely the microswitch on that lock has gone - same problem on mine, trouble is you have to buy an entire central locking motor which is about 70 quid. Instead I paid 99 quid and fitted an alarm system with immobiliser, which triggers the central locking remotely - the result, one alarmed/immobilised Tipo with remote central locking, so no need to fix the switch and no cursing when the locks freeze up in cold weather and u can't get the key in :)

Hellraiser..........>
 
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