Forum:
Help please. Sportrak EL Jreg carburettor, non cat 93k is dying. after 10 miles or so goes all kangaroo jerky then cuts out. Voltmeter drops. Retarts no prob, runs for a bit then cuts out again. Sometimes misfires. New plugs n leads, dizzy cap, rotor arm. Just trying the fuel filter but after strip found no clag & universal ones dont fit. Should I bother changing it or could it be something else.
Sportrak cuts out
best guess change fuel filter, crap in the tank, drop in some redex into the carb to blow out any muck, or is it another dose of funny petrol from tesco,
saying that have a look at the fuel pump loose wire or break in the pipe from tank to engine or something equally as stupid also check the security of the carb to the manifold as i have had them work loose over the years and therefore suck in too much air and stall the engine
Sportrak cuts out
Dont think its iffy petrol.
RAC sprayed carb cleaner. Ran for half mile then died. RAC said coughed black smoke before dying. Towed home for second time 6 months. He said try getting fuel lines blown. Friendly garage said try fuel filter. Will swap fuel filter, when I can find one local with different diameter inlet and outlet pipes at 90 degrees, or its a long walk and Diahatsu prices.
One sad question do these have points or condenser??? Ive heard they do and don't. Cant get me head between the Dizzy cap n the bulkhead to see whats under the cap. The same knowlegeables suggested might be the coil.
I have to rely on the National Help Service, cant afford paying private to keep the old girl alive. The wifes given up though and wants to put poor Hattie out of her n our misery and donate body parts to other sick Sportys so we can get something reliable???. They just dont understand do they.
Sportrak cuts out
you could always bypass the filter with a bit of copper pipe to see if it makes any difference
cant help with the points bit as i dont have a sporty and "ugh" the 4trak is being a bit stubbon at the moment but its the puff of black smoke thats bothering me check your static timing the dizzy hasnt moved a bit but check your fuel lines first
Misfire
The later Sportraks had an EFI system and the distributor had electronic Ignition. I have a 91 and a 96 and both are EFI and I was under the impression that the old Carb model finished in 1990, someone will correct me on this. It is possible that the Carb models had both points and a condensor rather than electronic ignition. I know between 91 and 95 the type of distributor was changed but it remained electronic.
The coils do fail and when mine failed initially it was intermittent misfires and judders and then complete failure by going to earth. Somtimes it would restart and run for a while before failing completely. It took a lot of changing of leads etc before the culprit was found.
You can replace these with a normal shaped coil by cutting the LT wires, retaining enough to rejoin and reuse the connector and substitute an ordinary coil using normal connectors to the spade terminals, asuming you have one lying about. Provided this is connected and secured you can test it out and if it solves the problem then you can order the correct part or get one from ebay. The last coil I purchased new was from a local small Accessory shop for £41 but someone like Partco should be able to get one. Forget Halfords!!!
The puff of black smoke indicates rich mixture but is probably the excess fuel being burnt off by flooding whilst trying to restart. However you could check the float chamber valve to ensure that it is shutting off and not flooding the carb with excess fuel and while you have that apart clean out any slurry build up at the bottom of the chamber. I would also try redex down the choke tube with the engine on fast tickover to un gum the jets and to clean out the carb. It may not cure the problem but will clean out any GUM
As suggested you can bypass the original filter and place an inline clear glass filter in the line if the fuel filter is suspect but you seem to think not as there was no crap found within.
I have to admit that I am not familier with the Carb model and am using knowledge I have of other carb vehicles in suggesting these possibilities. Food for thought I hope
GOOD LUCK
OLDMINIMAN
M J Young
Sportrack cutting out
Thanks to all for the advice. New Daihatsu fuel filter arriving tomorrow. Sounds sensible and might be clogged where I cant see. Unfortunately the inlet pipe is smaller diameter than the outlet and fuel pump connections so same bore aftermarket universal ones available locally dont fit properly and I dont fancy bodging a fuel line. Not too bothered about the black cough of smoke at the moment. Will fit fuel filter and try redex, wynns has also been recommended. Will see how it runs then look further into the points/condenser mystery as cheaper option to replace (if there) before replacing coil or callong the pros. Mine is on a J plate reg in 1991 and I believe one of the last carburettor models. Will let you know how it fares.