• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

BN1 Loss of Power

matt78

Senior Member
Offline
Hi.


This weekend, following a very satisfying 25 mi run in hot weather w/o any issue, after a stop at a crossing, engine lost all of its power, finally stalling. I could easily restart it, but it kept stalling with no power. After 3 or 4 attempts, it started and kept running as usual, with full power including climbing uphill streets.
Arrived at home and waiting for the portal to open to go uphill on my driveway, same scenario : no more power, repeated stalls… Finally managed to bring the car on the horizontal surface of my parking, after a small dozen of start/full throttle (anticipating the loss of power…)/clutching-in/stall. Stopped the engine for 3 min in order to open the garage, then started it and maneuvered the car as if nothing had happened…



It seemed to me that this issue was fuel (and not ignition)-related, having no sign of misfire/surge/noises.

To make it short :
- Following a ride in hot weather (nearing 104°C, but engine kept between 160 and 180 °F), brutal and total loss of power and repeated engine stalls after 2 small stops at idle on moderate uphill slopes. Fuel in the tank, gauge at ½ (and fitted with the correct orientation !).
- Even during these difficult sequences, starting was (hopefully !) very easy and immediate, so a vapor-lock issue doesn’t appear to be the culprit at first sight,
- Carbs fully overhauled (no air leak, new jets and needle, new seals, no float issue, tuning done, and so on), electronic ignition, SU pump replaced 3 years ago.


--> My guess : fuel starvation issue. As it happened when briefly idling on a moderate slope (the fuel pick-up is on the front of the tank), yesterday I tried to run the car with a jack under the front member in order to simulate a slope, but it had no effect and the engine kept idling w/o any problem. So, the remaining option would be a temporarily clogged fuel line (but if so, why didn't it occur during the ride ?). I didn’t check the pump’s built-in filter yet, nor the filter (metal-made, so I can’t see inside) fitted before the carbs, nor the (original) tank itself.

Do you agree with my conclusion ? And before I start dismantling all the stuff, do you recommend some additional tests to confirm the issue ?


Thank you in advance for your ideas / advices.


Matt
 

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
Gold
Online
Sounds like fuel vaporization to me. Stop the car after a spirited drive, fuel sits in line near hot engine, heats up, vaporizes and can't feed intake manifold.

Heat shield between fuel line and engine would probably be the fix.

Just my two euros.
Tom M.
 

Jack T

Jedi Trainee
Country flag
Offline
I had similar symptoms caused by a kinked fuel line. Would run fine, then sputter and die. I think you're on the right track looking for a fuel issue.
 

OWD724

Senior Member
Offline
It is fuel vaporisation. Although the water was saying 160-180 the fuel in the bowls which are next to the exhaust was running much hotter. I have had my 100 for 26 years and this happened to me recently for the first time ever. Like you water temp ok, but the ambient outside temp was 36C and it got very hot under the Hood/Bonnet. It stopped then after
10 minutes it started ran rough until fresh cold fuel came through to the fuel bowls. Don’t fiddle with anything, just accept modern fuel is different.
 

steveg

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
From Norm Nock's book. He used this one.

http://www.britishcarspecialists.com/~britisj3/publications.php

Drawing is to scale - enlarge on copier to specified size and cut from aluminum. Fit heat insulation on lower surface with screws:
HeatShield100.jpg


Also contact Joe Curto about his float bowl "coozies" insulating socks. I'd also insulate the fuel lines passing near the exhaust and across between the carbs.

https://www.britishsuperior.com/

Some folks have fitted bilge blowers at the cold air intake and directed the air at the front carburetor.

No filter is to be fitted between the tank and pump. As long as there are screens in the carb inputs you probably don't need a filter at all.
 

Guido36

Jedi Hopeful
Country flag
Offline
In my experience you normally have to wait for the engine to cool a bit with fuel vaporization. If you can restart immediately it may be a clogged fuel filter or fuel pump issue but the heat does suggest vaporization. You may also have more than one thing going on so I would suggest checking the whole fuel system. When it happened to me I wrapped the fuel line in DEI Vapor Lock Sleeve....

https://www.designengineering.com/vapor-block-fuel-line-sleeve/
 

pkmh

Jedi Warrior
Country flag
Offline
Just for giggles (though no laughing matter, mind you), check your electrical connections leading to your voltage ignition coil. That is one scenario that happened to me.

On my first Healey, my stalling issues after driving the car for a bit were contributed to a corroded gas tank, leading to a clogged gas filter and fuel pump, not to mention swelled fuel lines choking the flow of fuel in the line.

Stalling issues never truly lead to a single cause. There are many possibilities. My only advice is to start with the easiest and least expensive approach.

Good luck.
 

steveg

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
A friend with a BN2 had problems with the trunk battery cutoff switch. After a mile or two, it would heat up and ground the coil and the car would die. Might want to disconnect the black & white wire to the coil as a test.
 

Michael Oritt

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
Though the "fuel vaporization" folks are in the majority I am going to throw in with the few suspecting compromised fuel supply, and the fact that the problem seems greater when running than when idling makes me suspect that fuel flow is being somehow restricted.

I would start at the carbs, checking the small screen filters at the flat bowl inlets (if they are in place), then work back through the fuel pump to see if the coarse screen has picked up any trash. Of course, if your car has an aftermarket in-line filter be sure and clean it. Finally, pull the fuel pickup in the tank and inspect not only it but, as much as possible, the tank itself for the presence of some junk that may be pulled against the pickup by suction and fuel flow when the engine is running under load, only to fall away when it dies or is idling, etc. I've told the story before about the big leaf that somehow made its way into my car's fuel tank. Fuel flow would pull it against the pickup when the engine was running at speed, and it would fall away when the engine died or was idling, etc. Once I located and extracted the offending bit of nature all was good, though how the leaf got into the tank when the filler is inside an enclosed space is a puzzler!

If you find nothing restricting fuel delivery it's time to start chasing vapor lock, which is a more difficult and subtle challenge.
 
OP
M

matt78

Senior Member
Offline
Thank you all for your interesting advices and information.

Knowing what I already replaced on the car (ignition, rear boot switch, pump...), I'll start focusing on fuel supply (mainly clogged filters) and vaporisation, even if it's difficult for me to understand how they wouldn't have also prevented the engine to immediately - and so easily - restart.
I'll keep you posted - need to clean my flooded garage, first :mad:

Matt
 

LarryK

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
This alcohol fuel is the worst, evaporates quick in hot carbs.
 

Michael Oritt

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
Matt--

You said: "it's difficult for me to understand how they wouldn't have also prevented the engine to immediately - and so easily - restart."

While I am not suggesting that your issue is debris in the tank it was mine and in the scenario I described the leaf would apparently be sucked against the pickup by maximum fuel flow, then fall away as the engine stalled, thus allowing it to restart and go through the process repeatedly. Depending upon the types of filters or screens that are present in your fuel system a similar phenom could be happening anywhere--or not.

I'd suggest starting at the carbs and working your way back to the tank. Good luck!
 

steveg

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
Matt,
When it starves, suggest pulling one of the float bowl covers and see if the fuel level is drained.

I borrowed a pickup truck from a friend years ago. It would run 1/2 mile then stop, then start again right away. Turned out to be dirt in the fuel filter keeping the pump from delivering enough fuel to keep it running. It may have idled OK because enough fuel was getting through for that.
 
OP
M

matt78

Senior Member
Offline
John,

Not serious enough to put the cars underwater, thanks, but for sure a surprise job of drying and cleaning...

Steve, Michael,

Well understood, I'll check these points. As outside temperature is getting lower, I intend to have a drive as soon as possible. Just in case it could provide a clue regarding the two main hypothesis :D

Matt
 

Michael Oritt

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
"the two main hypothesis"
------------------
Yes, it has to be one or the other--or something else entirely.
 
D

Deleted member 26655

Guest
Guest
Offline
I had a one-time loss of power, coming off of a hour run with no problems. I just switched from overdrive to normal going down a hill.
Car lost power and was barely idling. I pulled over and let it idle a few minutes. Then it took off like nothing happened. Car temp 160, 60F outside.

No problem since and I've checked the overdrive operation a few times. I've read the above ideas of potential problems.
I'm looking for more ideas on this.

Would a malfunctioning OD cause this? Fuel vaporization maybe?

It's a '63 BJ7. Does the fuel pump act up intermittently? Strainers OK, plenty of gas. Any ideas appreciated. Dave
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
S Wanted Windscreen Wiper Arm for BN1 wanted Austin Healey Classifieds 2
J For Sale BN1 project car (price reduction) Austin Healey Classifieds 0
W BN1 Steering Box Removal Austin Healey 11
W BN1 Steering Box Austin Healey 3
I Wanted BN1 with H6 carbs : bodies of TR3 Austin Healey Classifieds 1
S BN1 Wheel-Tyre Combination Austin Healey 10
AUSMHLY Laygear End Float BN1-BJ8 Austin Healey 2
W Healey BN1 Ignition Light Austin Healey 8
T Wanted: Early BN1 Sidescreens Austin Healey 2
Guido36 BN1 with Triumph TR 4 engine Austin Healey 1
B Austin-Healey 100 BN1 Electrical Diagram Austin Healey 0
W BN1 Gearbox First Motion Shaft Austin Healey 0
I Austin-Healey BN1 Parts List Austin Healey 4
BoyRacer BN4 Front Wings on a BN1 Austin Healey 9
BoyRacer Engine Swap: 3000 Engine Into a BN1 Austin Healey 25
BoyRacer Replace BN1 steering box with later version? Austin Healey 0
red57 Interesting BN1 for sale in Bellingham, WA Austin Healey 4
D BN1 Parts to Trade Austin Healey Classifieds 0
S WANTED: Healey BN1 "Smiths" Fuel Gauge (Dead or Alive) Austin Healey Classifieds 3
A BN1 Mechanical Brake Switch Austin Healey 23
P Wanted BN1 can shaft Austin Healey Classifieds 0
C BN1 Clutch Pedal Rattle Austin Healey 2
CharlesBN1 Uprated or 'umbrella' valve stem oil seals for BN1 Austin Healey 2
Guido36 BN1/BN2 Sidescreens Austin Healey 0
L Seat position for a BN1 Austin Healey 0
CharlesBN1 Wanted WTB Shelley Jack [6 INCH DL] for Early BN1 Austin Healey Classifieds 0
M BN1 with H6 carbs : what setting ? Austin Healey 56
I Ball Bearing cup for old style BN1 steering box Austin Healey 0
M Heat-related carb issue on BN1 Austin Healey 7
RCarr 1954 BN1 Wiper Wheelbox and Rack Austin Healey 3
CharlesBN1 Wanted wanted to buy - sidescreen trim/strips for early BN1 Austin Healey Classifieds 5
CharlesBN1 BN1 Soft Top installation - need advice! Austin Healey 3
Michael Oritt Optimal lighting for a BN1 Austin Healey 5
D Wanted BN1 LH Seat Cushion [Bottom] Austin Healey Classifieds 0
J 100 bn1/bn2 id Austin Healey 26
HealeyRick Wilwood Discs on a BN1 Austin Healey 1
CharlesBN1 need some advice fitting the bonnet on a 54 BN1 Austin Healey 4
Z For Sale 1954 Austin Healey 100-4 BN1 Beautiful Restoration Austin Healey Classifieds 0
Z For Sale 1955 Autsin Healey 100-4 BN1 and 1956 100-4 Race car Austin Healey Classifieds 0
D Wanted BN1 or BN2 Donor/Parts Car Austin Healey Classifieds 1
GeorgeC Rear spring disassembly - BN1 Austin Healey 1
Jake BN1 Front Shroud Badge - What is original? Austin Healey 4
Jake For Sale FS: BN1/BN2 Kilmartin Chassis Repair Parts, New Austin Healey Classifieds 2
55modified Need photoshop help for side vent options on my BN1 Austin Healey 6
55modified Nardi hub for a BN1? Austin Healey 10
L BN1 Transmission rebuild Austin Healey 1
simon1966 Replacing the witches nose in-situ. BN1 Austin Healey 14
P BN1 Rear Chassis-to-Shroud Extensions Austin Healey 1
Healey Nut BN1 at Auction on eBay Austin Healey 4
Z BN1 Crown Wheel and Pinion Austin Healey 1

Similar threads

Top