Practically Classics Forum

Imagine lots of rude words written here!

I've changed the condenser, points, rotor arm, dizzy cap, leads and plugs...Still won't bl**dy start!!

only thing I haven't changed is the coil...which is on order from Canley.

There is definately fuel getting to the carb and I'm fairly certain it's getting to the chambers as i could smell it when checking for a spark at the plugs.

I pretty sure there is a spark at the points and plugs but not easy to tell as working in bright sunlight instead of the lock up! typical!

So, my question is, When a coil fails does it stop working completely or fade away producing a weaker and weaker spark until the spark is too weak to ignite the fuel? or am I talking my usual b*ll*cks?

Now, where's the Merlot?...

Coils can fail in all sorts of ways
Dead
weak spark
weak spark when hot
dead when hot
intermittent spark
etc.

Have you pulled a plug and rested it on top of the block then looked for a spark while cranking?

Yep! and I'm pretty sure I saw a spark...

But like i said, bright sunlight so difficult to see properly.

I once thought that I'd lost my watch. The relevance there is that it turned up in the last place I searched for it. Imagine how much simpler life would be if things turned up in the first place we looked for them?
You've gone through this in a logical enough fashion but are you sure it's not a condenser problem? If you reply so: "Can't be, it was a new one!" then it's very likely the cause of the trouble.
If you would like a reliable cap that will fit inside the original can, or externally to the distributor, just fire me a PM and I'll send one your way, I have a source of massively over-engineered ones of suitable values that are used in my radio, audio and TV repairs and the folk whose cars now have these fitted have so far reported a 100% survival rate, the oldest having been sent out some eight years ago to a member of this forum, or maybe a different one, either way; all good.

Sorry to laugh JPB, but it will always be the last place you look! Why would you keep looking when you've found it!!

I do understand the sentiment though and thanks for your sympathy!

Regarding the condensor, I've now tried 2 different "new" ones both from Canley but if the new coil doesn't sort it when it arrives, I will give you a shout. Many thanks for the suggestion and the offer. The coil is the one that came with the car when I bought it so it is at least 13years old. So, probably a bit overdue for changing!

I have also noticed the the LT wire from the coil to the dizzy and the little wire that connect it to the points aren't looking in great condition so will change these too...if the new coil doesn't fix it!!

That chap with the rather lovely Herald that I covet far more than my neighbour's ass, though she has quite a nice one, wrote:the points aren't looking in great condition

Are the contacts blue by any chance? (In colour, not emotionally). C-word time again if so.
Watch out for counterfeit coils, so 90% of the Bosch and Lucas Gold ones on eBay then! But avoid those and fitting a coil won't hurt, I just have a thing about the woeful quality of new condensers.

Thanks for the kind comments in your quote title JPB. She looks good in photos and from a distance of 12-15 feet but any closer...

Pictures of your neighbour's a55 would be appreciated though...oh no...wrong forum!

The points themselves are new and fine. I was refering the the Low Tension wires that connect to the points.

I thought it might have been the old points not opening that was the trouble as the plastic "lifter" didn't look great but if it was that, it's something else as well! (Maybe the condensor!! )

Most of my components and parts come from Canleys as I have always found them very reliable and comptitively priced and offer great service. I very rarely by parts like this or brake parts off ebay. in fact only once when desperate!

Oh how I feel for you, as previously said, had this exact same problem.
If it was me and I was sticking with the conventional point system, I would go back through the system replacing each previously removed item in turn and testing at that stage.
I would, as a precaution, swap the condenser and coil for new, quality items as per JP's recommendations.

When changing the points, did you make sure all the little isolation washers etc were in place on assembly?

Can you not get the car in the garage, with the door shut, to check the system is sparking?

Kev

kevin wrote:, did you make sure all the little isolation washers etc were in place on assembly?

Going slightly off-topic but relevant to the comment above - son's Mini failed to start which we eventually traced to the power lead to the starter earthing to the body of the starter as there was no insulation there - big fat rubber washer soon fixed that

Topaz wrote:

kevin wrote:, did you make sure all the little isolation washers etc were in place on assembly?

Going slightly off-topic but relevant to the comment above - son's Mini failed to start which we eventually traced to the power lead to the starter earthing to the body of the starter as there was no insulation there - big fat rubber washer soon fixed that

the devil is in the detail
Always worth back tracking and checking stuff in situations like these

Kev