Had a breakdown yesterday.
Came out of Blackwall tunnel and about ½ mile later the car started to lose revs then came to a stop at a set of lights.
Felt like lack of fuel, luckily the Sprint is not hard to push into a side street, and opening the bonnet showed no fuel in the fuel filter, however there was so much heat under the bonnet I checked this first by putting my hand on the ign coil which was very hot to the touch, same for the carb dashpots, same again for the float chambers, and again for the dizzy which on the Bluetooth app showed dizzy temp at 75 degrees centigrade.
All of this heat was very distracting/disturbing, both under the bonnet and from sun overhead, thoughts of fuel vaporisation came to mind, along with melted circuit boards in the 123 dizzy, or warping dashpots.
Unfortunately for me, there were no tools in the boot, it was emptied before going out, just to see if there are any rear end noises, only had a multi end screwdriver, never shall I ever go anywhere without some tools !
However, adamant due to the manner of stopping that fuel starvation was the problem, float chambers empty, fuel filter empty, cranking engine made no difference. Took all the hoses off and checked for blockages, checked float chamber valve movement with blow test, and even done three long drags on the overflow pipe for no reason, which left me very light headed.
Upon cranking engine some fuel entered the filter, but not much, then undone the pipe on the fuel pump, and noticed the fuel pump filter cap was a bit loose, and that the inlet and outlet pipes had come very close together. Pushed the two apart, engine fired within seconds.
Carefully drove home as I could not tighten the nut on the top, and all seemed well.
The problem is I cannot replicate the fault no matter where I position the inlet/outlet, for now leaving apart in the position that fired up is sufficient, until I get out for a good high rev thrash.
Also whilst checking all fuel lines are secure, I investigated the heat problem, the electric fan is throwing out all the excess heat in the bay.
With the bonnet open and the car warming up from cold, the front carb and float chamber are hot to touch, the rears are cold, the heat from the radiator is being directed onto the carbs and I would not lose a wager when I say, with the bonnet closed the heat is travelling right up to the ign coil at the bulkhead, the (Spal) fan is too efficient at moving air.
Need to urgently make up a shield (aluminium) to bolt onto the front of the engine where the old fan pulley was, and sticking out over the front of the float chamber and top of the alternator.
Never had this sort of problem with the old std fan, has anyone else experienced this, or could check on their car for me.
_________________ NRW 581W Sprint
On the motorway no one can hear me sing!
Construed as a public service, self preservation in reality.
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