Diagnostics of engine miss?

[Tinster]

<span style="color: #990000">I'm sorry to see you pull out Paul.
Your technical input and friendship were
of great value to me. You are fortunate to
own a perfect car that never breaks down.

Good luck as well.

dale </span>

 

[NutmegCT]

I think the last couple weeks we've seen a consensus of friends' advice here to "just drive the car."

Might be a good time to follow your friends' advice.

T.

 

[Tinster]

I wonder if Basil would consider adding a "Rookie Owner" forum
where non-mechanic LCB rookies can ask their stupid questions
and not be put down or made to feel inferior by the experts?

If an expert wishes to contribute fine. If an expert feels
the rookie question too stupid, remain silent. The other rookies
will eventually help each other to a conclusion of the problem.

Just a small thought to keep peace with the professionals here.
Many of us rookies have no, (as in none) professional Triumph
restoration shops we can pay to repair our cars. We must do all
the work ourselves plus figure out what is the problem
and what parts to order.

A seperate "Rookie Owner" forum makes a lot of sense.
I believe there are more Rookie members that professional mechanic
Triumph members. The Rookies need a place they can feel at ease
asking stupid questions. A learning curve forum.

My 2 cents worth --dale

 

[Andrew Mace]

Dale, we're ALL rookies...or were at some point! As much as I (sometimes foolishly) thought I knew and/or learned over the years, I still learn more every day here and elsewhere. Yeah, I'm pretty comfortable with my Triumph knowledge such as it is, but I'm still learning about other and more modern cars. And while I'm not bragging, I've offered model-specific advice to shops that don't specialize in Triumphs or other British cars but are trying to help a customer, and I've even offered occasional advice to some well-known names in Triumph parts sales and repair...because I happen to be pretty familiar with Heralds and early Spitfires and such.

That said, if you end up with a true "Rookie" forum, then all you'll have is well-intended but possibly misleading or even wrong advice, or lots of hand-wringing and no answers at all! Trust us: we "experts" do NOT mind helping "rookies" (see above about reciprocation; see also "paying it forward"). What does seem to get to some people is, well, others not paying attention to good advice. At some point, one needs to NOT fret over every burp and squeak, especially one-time incidences of same, for fear that it's the end of the car!

 

[NutmegCT]

Well said Andy.

Tom

 

[tom628]

I think Dale's problems are vicariously frustrationg to all of us, because we want to help him but are thwarted by the lack of access.

However, a TR6 that almost won't run, or will not exceed 55 mph is not normal, even if not driven regularly.

Dale, do I recall that you have a Pertronix ignition? If so, you might want to consider going back to the points & condenser , at least until this is ironed out.

If you don't have the Pertronix, then the symptoms you describe could be a faulty condenser,

I occasionally hear rumors that the relative humidity can get pretty high in Puerto Rico. Your engine ran lousey shortly after start-up,while things were cold, IIRC. Then when you pushed it hard and, presumably, it had run longer, things seemed to clear up. Next time that happens, or before your next ride (starting from cold), pop the distributor cap and check the inside of the cap and whatever else you can see amongst the dizzy components for condensation. Moisture might just be screwing things up until the heat dries it out.

Good luck.

Tom

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Good suggestion, Tom - it's often the simple things we overlook that kick us in the can...

Mickey

 

[Tinster]

However, a TR6 that almost won't run, or will not exceed 55 mph is not normal, even if not driven regularly.

Dale, do I recall that you have a Pertronix ignition? If so, you might want to consider going back to the points & condenser , at least until this is ironed out.

If you don't have the Pertronix, then the symptoms you describe could be a faulty condenser,

I occasionally hear rumors that the relative humidity can get pretty high in Puerto Rico. Your engine ran lousey shortly after start-up,while things were cold, IIRC. Then when you pushed it hard and, presumably, it had run longer, things seemed to clear up. Next time that happens, or before your next ride (starting from cold), pop the distributor cap and check the inside of the cap and whatever else you can see amongst the dizzy components for condensation. Moisture might just be screwing things up until the heat dries it out.

Good luck.

Tom

<span style="color: #990000">Excellent call Tom- I had a Petronix for less than 200 miles before it blew it.
I've been on points and cans ever since. Got up early this morning to pull the dizzy
cap to inspect for condensation. (none present) But I immediately noticed many spider
web cracks all over the surface of the dizzy rotor.

I keep a handful of rotors in the car all the time. I installed a new rotor,
cleaned up the points and dizzy insides. The engine started easily and fell into a
nice 900 rpm warm idle. I reset the timing to 12* advance, checked all the plug wires
for spark and headed out to purchase a new tank of high test gasoline.

A full tank of high test and a one hour test drive. The engine now moves smoothly
thru the rpm range and I took it to 70 mph with no misses I could feel. I did detect
a pulsing at highway speed and could see it on the tachometer. I guess I have to track
down a vaccuum leak.

Again, thanks for the tip - you saved me a complete replacement of my ignition system.
The car seemed to run very well today. For sure, I need to purchase a few of Jeff's
dandy red rotors. I have had so many broken- right out of the shipping box.

dale</span>

 

[SilentUnicorn]

Yes! <span style="font-size: 14pt">Yes!!</span> <span style="font-size: 23pt">Yess!!!</span>

good job Dale!

you will receive your Honorary "Triumph Mechanic" degree in the mail shortly.


mark

 

[Tinster]

Thanks Guys!!

 

[TR6oldtimer]

Now that it runs, don't turn it off....

Just kidding.

 

[Tinster]

Hey Ray !!

I taking my extra set of cajones down from the closet
and I am going to attempt the approx. 3 hour r/t to
Ramon's house way up in the mountains to celebrate
Three Kings Day on Tuesday.........................

in Amos.

Yes, every spare part I can think I might need will be
in the trunk. Along with many, many tools. There will be
NO flatbeds available on Three Kings Day, so if Amos dies?
He gets abandoned overnight.

d