Wedge TR8 died / won't run. Bailed out by Rover 3500/SD1

[tdskip]

It is an odd day when a Rover 3500 saves your bacon....

So it was relatively hot in SoCal today, and the TR8 caught but then stumbled badly, almost like it was only running on 4 cylinders.

She would run, wouldn't rev past 1,250 RPM and then die. Start, barely chug along idling then die. Finally caught, ran her up to 3,000 RPM hoping to shock her to life, then petered out again. Not much change in RPM regardless of the amount of throttle I was giving her.

One last time. She cranked strongly, but she wouldn't catch. Finally I had to push her into a parking spot.

She has ZS carbs and new Mallory distributor.

She sat for 36 hours since I drove her last - be she ran fine then but that was the AM and it was much cooler.

She did this once before, not as badly, when it got hot out.

Seems like a fuel / carbs issue to me.

What do you guys think?

 

[mailbox]

K.I.S.S.
Keep
It
Simple
Stupid
Not calling YOU stupid, but just start with the basics. There are 3 things that make an engine run, fuel/air, spark, and compression. When it starts sputtering, check if the carbs have gas and plugs are firing. Go from there. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

 

[RonMacPherson]

He told you right. Check for spark, in case of coil failure. Cuz you are describing classic coil failure symptoms. but might also be fuel system. pump, restriction in the system lines, or tank. Easy enough to check spark, just pull the coil wire from the distributor cap and hold it close to ground(with insulated pliers) and crank should have a good bright white spark.

 

[tdskip]

So I finally got a chance to dig into this and I've got spark from the coil and to spark plug #1. Plenty of air. Which means...fuel.

The in-tank fuel pump used to make a noise when the ignition as keyed on but nothing now. I haven't jacked her up yet to see if I have power to the pump, but it looks like I have a fuel issue.

 

[RonMacPherson]

You should be able to find a schraeder valve fitting somewhere on the fuel line. Dunno if the 8 has it, just most fi systems do. Press on it, should get a squirt of fuel out.

 

[tdskip]

Hi Ron - thanks for the help!

She is actually a carb model TR8, but I'm going to pull the fuel line going to the carb (carefully) and see if I get any fuel flow.

I'll report back once I do that. My hunch is that the new in-tank pump died...

 

[swift6]

Tom, pull the fuel hose off where it comes up behind the carbs, set it in a container (coffee can etc...) and have some one turn the key on. You'll either have flow or not. If there is no flow, your pump may still not be to blame. Check the fuel pump cutoff switch (below the clutch master cylinder). They can fail/stick with age. Check the archives on the Wedgelist for more info on some fixes/rebuilds/replacements on that switch.

Of course, jacking up the rear and applying power directly to the pump will also tell you if it is the pump, or some of the wiring in between. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[tdskip]

Well, lesson learned here. Don't jump to conclusions!

I had spark from the coil, and since I couldn't hear the fuel pump making any noise I jumped to the ASSUMPTION that it was the problem.

Sure enough, when I pulled the fuel line to check it where Shawn recommended I got plenty of nice clean gas (into a bucket) with a good flow rate.

Back to electrical troubleshooting!