Vehicle cuts out after 8-10 miles

[Grahamzzzz]

Engine starts first time and drive fantastically for about 8-10 miles then it starts to misfire and cuts out. Will turn over but will not fire. Fuel at curbs and 12vts at coil.
Vehicle is fitted with a classic 123 distributor so there is no ignition module or rev limiter.
It you leave the vehicle for about a couple of hours it will start and run perfectly.
Vehicle is a 89 model. Any help is appreciated.

[amarshall]

Overheating coil ? Relatively cheap and easy to swap over.

[Grahamzzzz]

Cheers, I'll give it a try

[Lotus-e-Clan]

Also change the king lead from coil to dizzy.

[richardw]

I had a similar problem on another car. If the coil is hot when the car cuts out, you may have a 6v coil fitted, which needs to be swapped for a 12v. Frustratingly, some coils don't have the voltage marked.

Good luck, Richard

[Big Jim]

Mine is behaving in a similar manner . If I clean the plugs it is back to normal . The plugs are slightly sooty , but not bad at all . The fuel is probably 6 months old , do you think that could be the problem ?

[excelTim]

Do you have a fuel filter? I had a fouled petrol filter which blocked when running with the dirt settling out when not in use - on different car but same principal.

[don.hasi]

Vehicle is fitted with a classic 123 distributor so there is no ignition module or rev limiter.

Very interesting Do you have more informations about this system? I am asking because they have no stock application for the Lotus engine on their webpage.



The coil would be also my first choice of investigation.

[Grant H]

Have you checked how hot the fuel pump is when it stops? I had an old fuel filter restricting the flow and it caused the pump to overheat and slow down. Once the pump cooled down the car was back up and running.

[Grahamzzzz]

Thanks to you all for the information, vehicle has been stored for the last 15 years, last year the vehicle went through a major overhaul, fuel pump and fuel filter was replaced then. The distributor was replaced by Fibreglass Services late last year.
Coil is on order I'll let you know the outcome.

[AndyC]

If anybody really gets stuck with this sort of thing, and they are local to Norfolk, just ask to borrow (or if further afield, search, there must be others about) the Lucas diagnostic tool. It goes onto the various leads when the engine is running (or cranking) and checks/ diagnoses the dissy system. Located (cold) my faulty AB14 that was breaking down when hot.

[Grahamzzzz]

Fitted coil and HT leads, went out on road test, 9 miles in, misfire back on accelerating then cut out altogether. justs cranks over, left for 20 mins, then restarted and drove home as nothing was wrong, let vehicle idle and within 5 mins it cut out again. Please HELP!!

[Lotus-e-Clan]

So when it cuts and just cranks - do you have a spark at that point?

I have those red inline HT testers that fit between the plug cap and the plug itself - might be an idea to get a set (or even one would do) - they will always come in handy.

Otherwise it sounds like fueling - (filter - faulty pump or crap in tank - OR your tank vent isn't working!)

[Grahamzzzz]

So when it cuts and just cranks - do you have a spark at that point?

I have those red inline HT testers that fit between the plug cap and the plug itself - might be an idea to get a set (or even one would do) - they will always come in handy.

Otherwise it sounds like fueling - (filter - faulty pump or crap in tank - OR your tank vent isn't working!)

When it cuts out, yes, you have spark (but dose look a bit weak) on all cylinders.

With the ignition on and I slacken off both fuel pipe unions on carbs there is plenty of fuel being pumped out. Fuel pump is cold to touch and when I remove the fuel cap there is on pressure what so ever.

[Pete Boole]

It's really cold at the moment - icing at the carbs? Is the "warm" winter inlet working ?

Pete