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Trekker182
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2014
Posts: 99
Location: United Kingdom
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 Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 9:06 am Post subject: Starting problem |
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| I am getting a spark and fuel but the old Thing will not start. I fitted new plug leads a couple of days ago and since then it feels like it's running on three cylinders. but now it will not start. The plugs are wet after attempting to start. I have fitted an inline spark tester between the plugs and plug leads and it shows a yellowish spark. I am thinking that I may have a weak spark. Any thoughts? |
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[email protected] 
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2003
Posts: 868
Location: Clifton Park NY Saratoga County
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 12:36 pm Post subject: Re: Starting problem |
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Pre ignition
Clean your points
Are you sure you put the wires back correctly?
_________________
Michael Basso
http://www.thingparts.com
New and Used VW Thing Parts Free advice
CALL 518 630 0173 |
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GI Joe
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Joined: April 28, 2005
Posts: 2012
Location: Athens, TN
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doublecanister
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Joined: September 23, 2008
Posts: 1184
Location: Richmond, Va
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 10:32 am Post subject: Re: Starting problem |
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bad wires maybe?
if it "was" working before you changed anything reverse it and put the
old wires back and see if anything changes.
I have seen new "bad" spark plug wires before. (on other engines I've mucked with).
one other suggestion, I've had better luck using starting fluid for testing verses just pump the crap out of it /flood it with gas.
Ether evaps faster too so if you did spray too much, it will clear out rather quickly.
I use Ether to start my old 51 Ford pickup or the 66 Mustang if it sits too long
the gas evaps from the carb and I end up having to crank them too much.
A lil ether, and she fires right up, sometimes takes 2 sprays.
anyways, it does sound like it's a spark problem somehow.
Good luck with it and let us know-SOMEBODY on here has seen this before.
T
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2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8 |
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Trekker182
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2014
Posts: 99
Location: United Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 12:32 pm Post subject: Re: Starting problem |
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| doublecanister wrote: |
bad wires maybe?
if it "was" working before you changed anything reverse it and put the
old wires back and see if anything changes.
I have seen new "bad" spark plug wires before. (on other engines I've mucked with).
one other suggestion, I've had better luck using starting fluid for testing verses just pump the crap out of it /flood it with gas.
Ether evaps faster too so if you did spray too much, it will clear out rather quickly.
I use Ether to start my old 51 Ford pickup or the 66 Mustang if it sits too long
the gas evaps from the carb and I end up having to crank them too much.
A lil ether, and she fires right up, sometimes takes 2 sprays.
anyways, it does sound like it's a spark problem somehow.
Good luck with it and let us know-SOMEBODY on here has seen this before.
T |
Thanks for the suggestions. I may have found the problem, I changed the condenser/capacitor and it almost started but I had to take the distributor out to change the condenser so my timing will be off now. The battery is on charge now and I will try again tomorrow. Will let you know how I get on.
Thanks again
Don |
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Wildthings
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Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50338
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 9:05 pm Post subject: Re: Starting problem |
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If you only remove the 8M (13mm hex) nut that hold the distributor clamp to the block and don't loosen the clamping nut, then your timing will be very close to correct when you reinstall the distributor.
New condensers are always suspect while old condenser very seldom give problems. A good condenser can last 100K miles easy, more miles than that is not unusual at all. |
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Trekker182
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2014
Posts: 99
Location: United Kingdom
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 12:24 am Post subject: Re: Starting problem |
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| Wildthings wrote: |
If you only remove the 8M (13mm hex) nut that hold the distributor clamp to the block and don't loosen the clamping nut, then your timing will be very close to correct when you reinstall the distributor.
New condensers are always suspect while old condenser very seldom give problems. A good condenser can last 100K miles easy, more miles than that is not unusual at all. |
Thanks for the reply. Too late for the distributor it's been out and in. I should have thought about the 13mm nut, stupid me! I agree with you on the condenser. This is a brand new distributor c/w points and condenser and I've done less than 300 miles.
Cheers
Don |
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