ENGINE STOPS AFTER 2 MILES

[Deleted]

I'm not a new member, but I'm new to the forum. My problem is that after about 2 miles, the engine stops, and mostly won't start until I attempt recovery next day. Last time this sort of thing happened , it was the switch on the gearbox getting hot and sticking, but its not the same -the engine cuts out while I'm bowling alongabout 50 mph-last time it was just refusal to start when hot, not cutting out in mid flight. I live in France, local mechanics try, but headscratch a lot. Any thoughts?
Dick

[harvey]

At the time that it happens you need to find out whether it still has a spark, and whether fuel is still getting up to the engine. For the spark remove the main lead from the coil at the dist cap, lay the end about 1/8" away from a good earth and crank the engine to see if it has a good spark.
For the fuel, undo the pipe at the top of the filter, then if you have a mechanical pump crank the engine, if electric turn on the ignition. ( DON'T do either while you still have the coil lead going to earth, sparks and fuel all over the engine are not a good idea.)
It's likely to be one or the other at fault.
I had exactly the same problem on a 3.5 coupe and it turned out someone had bypassed a leaking fuel reserve tap with a pice of hose that was not fuel resistant, so everytime a lot of petrol was pumped through it it swelled up and blocked itself.

[eightofthem (Andy)]

Does it still have the A.E.D fitted? they tend to do things like that.

[glennr]

I had this problem many years ago. It was the coil that was the problem. It basically after 30 mins driving would cut out. After leaving it 10 mins it would restart and drive for a while then would cut out again. Start with the easy options first. The coil may be a good start? Then work your way through. Fuel pump could also be a suspect??

Great fun cars are they not

[Smallfry]

I would put my money on coil or condenser. Next time it happens, pull the king lead from the distributor cap and hold near the engine (4mm or so) crank it over and see if there are sparks.

[Deleted]

Aged rotor arms can give the same symptoms. Try a new one.
Where are you in France? I am in 87.

[Deleted]

Thanks for replies.
Certainly was no sparks , local garage is finding another coil. I'm in Dept 17, which is the Charente Maritime, nearest big Town is La Rochelle

[glennr]

Can you let us know the result It is always helpful to get some follow up.

[Deleted]

Replaced coil, seemed to have fixed things, and the old girl flew through CVT.( French MOT) Then it stopped 4 times on the way home.
Will now try condensor replacement
Dick

[Phil Nottingham]

Condensors can cause some strange symptons - always replace when doing points but always order 2 as even new ones can faulty

[Deleted]

I just changed to the correct condenser after waiting nearly two weeks. I also changed the fuel filter. Guess what? It was nearly blocked and explains the sudden loss of power and lack of top revs.

[Phil Nottingham]

Thanks for letting us know - something simple but less obvious can often be the culprit.

I had this many years ago on an almost new Vauxhall Astra, not sure how I found it now but the blocked fuel filter was just a thimble shaped nylon affiat in teh feed uniom on the carb, not obvious. The strange missfire at high revs disappeared immediately so the new plugs/points,cap etc etc were not needed yet!

A similar one is on teh end of the fule pick up in the tank with P5's it usually falls off!