Starting / running problem

Thanks chaps thats really helpful - I am writing a to do list for Saturday. I hadnt thought of the alternator belt problem - good call Tickly. Thanks for the link Chris - there are some excellent posts there. Checking the carb will be near the top of my list. The problem is not dissimilar to one I had with an knackered old 240 I bought to break for parts a while back. It drove the 100 miles back to my place reasonable well but a couple of days later started running rough, being reluctant to start and generally misbehaving. I replaced the HT leads (inc the one to the coil), dist cap, rota arm and plugs and it was fine again.

Got to grips with things this morning. Alternator belt OK. Carb mounting loose - tightened - easy job. Dizzy cap and rota arm in a shocking state - replaced with cheapo items from Halfords whilst I source some decent items Spark plugs knackered - new ones fitted HT leads look newish so not replaced Once I had completed the above the engine started straight away and ran like a little sewing machine! Great! The car has only done 60K so has loads of life left in it. I am going to use her for commuting over the next couple of months whilst I attend to a number of minor jobs including sorting some minor rust around the arches out - then she will go back to my daughter. Boy, the steering is very heavy (tyre pressures are OK) - nearly as bad as the ancient Land Rover I learnt to drive in all those years ago!

Glad to here that :D

Glad to hear you're back on track. I'm not sure on the dates of your recent V3M posts, but has this problem come back? You may want to get the tracking checked if the steering really is that heavy. My 1.4 had fairly light steering, even at very low speeds (and with 185-wide rubber!). It could be a number of things, but tracking solved it on my car. cheers James

Thanks James. Yes the problem re-emerged on Monday - not as bad but resulting in the car not being reliable enough for my daily commute. Ive posted an update on V3M I will get the tracking etc looked at when I have recified the above problem - not much point until I can actualy drive the thing more than 5 miles! Ian

I'm not sure what can cause the heavy steering, my 1.4 was very heavy compared to my 1.7 I use now. Since I've had the engine out to put the tubby in, I've put a new rack and steering damper in, I'm going to see how that feels, then change the suspension bushes, so I know which it was thats causing it!