newbie engine problem - any help would be appreciated..

[AlexB74]

Hi all,

Am on a v steep learning curve with things mechanical so any help would be appreciated. Got a pilgrim mk2 with 1978 ford granada 2.8 cologne lump (carburettor) with a problem.

It stutters/hesitates at various iregular points as it goes through the rev range. seemes to be missing occasionally on a cylinder, runs lumpy, and pings/pinks. Its down on power, and takes ages to start (although this might just be down to old engine not started regularly.

Car used to be reliable over last 15 years but was left unused for a year in my dads (dry) garage till i picked it up. it took a while to get it started but i thought the 2 hour run down to my place would cure it of the running problems. i filled it with normal unleaded and a shot of lead additive stuff.

Battery has lots of juice, car is stored in a dry garage have only run it for 20 minute runs in the dry since the long drive and its still got the problem, I have tried:

new plugs (gapped them)
new HT leads
new distributor cap (old one looked ok and i think rotor tip thingy looks ok)

I'm out of ideas (and knowledge - ashamed to say other people have always done my cars for me!!)

Timing? (have probably got the gear to do - but would a new thing for me)
Wrong octane fuel (next thing I'll try is refilling with super unleaded)
Carbon build up?

Any suggestions would be really welcome

Ta

Alex..

[craggle]

Hi Alex

I would be looking at the fuel system. Fuel filter, Dirty fuel tank, Blocked fuel pipes, Fuel pump.

If you have an electric pump you can whip the pipe off the carb and turn the ignition on and see how much flow you get (into a container off course!)

If you have a mechanical pump then do the same but spin the engine over on the starter. There should be a good stream of fuel coming out.

If all that looks good I would strip the carb and check for sediment in the float bowl and possibly blocked jets.

Craig.

[Purple AK]

All of Craigs suggestions plus try blowing the idle jets through They screw into the carb from the outside and were a common problem on the Grannies

[robinj66]

I agree with the above. Crud in the fuel system, especially the carb, is most likely.

What distributor are you using - electronic or points? The latter can give some of these symptoms - check the points gap and try changing the condensor.

It's more likely you have the electronic dizzy - in which case you are limited to using an air line to blow the old Cr*p out and checking that you are getting a decent spark at each plug (take them out and hold them {insulated pliers} against the block with the engine running)

[BLOKE]

If all else fails, change the fuel, petrol will go bad, or if you only have a little in the tank, fill-up with new petrol.
Regards Frank Dowsett. BLOKE.

[tonym]

Originally Posted by Purple AK

All of Craigs suggestions plus try blowing the idle jets through They screw into the carb from the outside and were a common problem on the Grannies

That takes me back to manually blowing the crap out of the jets. Used to start with hunting at idle but got worse the more I left it. The joys of Granada ownership

[Clive]

Originally Posted by craggle

Hi Alex


If you have a mechanical pump then do the same but spin the engine over on the starter. There should be a good stream of fuel coming out.



Craig.

Disconnect the coil/ign first as a stray spark can easily cause a fire!

[pelham939]

Redex in tank and in carb as instructed - i agree with others fuel problem needs sorting first to eliminate or cure

[dingocooke]

Originally Posted by pelham939

Redex in tank and in carb as instructed - i agree with others fuel problem needs sorting first to eliminate or cure

I wouldnt advise anyone waste money on redex; unless you actually like the smell of it...IMHO redex is a relic of 1950's motoring and does no good whatsoever.
A manual jet clean is the only way, very likely the cause of the problem, and a very simple zero cost fix to boot.

[Clarkson]

I agree with everything said above!