Engine abruptly loses all power for a second or two
Discussion
Just a tentative update: Has the problem gone away?
Having finally got around to fitting my bog-standard Lucas HT leads a week or two ago, I haven't had a further instance of this 'dead throttle syndrome' in a good few hours of driving. In the previous few weeks it was doing it at least once every half-hour or so, so it's beginning to look like the problem has gone away. I can't think why a new set of HT leads would have cured it, or maybe I've simply disturbed a wiring connector in the process of doing it.
One thing I can now say: Before I changed the HT leads, the last time the problem occurred I did see that the RPM gauge stayed steady, i.e. it didn't drop to zero.
The other problem I have, namely a misfire when stationary, has also been greatly improved by the new HT leads. I can hear that it's still missing very slightly when I touch the throttle after standing stationary, but it clears much more quickly and doesn't really cause an issue. It also doesn't misfire if the fans have kicked in, so I'm sure it's due to airflow and cooling. Replacing the ignition amp is next on my 'to-do' list - it must sit in a pool of hot air at the top of the engine bay.
Another improvement that the HT leads seem to have made is that the throttle response seems smoother and less snatchy. Particularly when gently re-applying power after lifting off the throttle, and particularly at lower speeds, it was previously quite difficult to do it without the engine snatching and making the car lurch a bit - but now it is much easier and much less prone to snatching. I've no idea why that would be, but I'm quite pleased about it.
As expected, there appears to be no difference in overall power and performance.
I do need to sort out the routing of the cables though: at the moment they loop up before plugging into the distributor and I've a feeling they're rubbing on the bonnet, which isn't good.
But overall, I'd recommend anyone to replace old HT leads with a bog standard set of Lucas ones for about £25, especially if your car is fitted with fancy ones. As ChimpOnGas has said in the past, perhaps we should consider all these ignition components as consumables and replace them every 30,000 miles.
Having finally got around to fitting my bog-standard Lucas HT leads a week or two ago, I haven't had a further instance of this 'dead throttle syndrome' in a good few hours of driving. In the previous few weeks it was doing it at least once every half-hour or so, so it's beginning to look like the problem has gone away. I can't think why a new set of HT leads would have cured it, or maybe I've simply disturbed a wiring connector in the process of doing it.
One thing I can now say: Before I changed the HT leads, the last time the problem occurred I did see that the RPM gauge stayed steady, i.e. it didn't drop to zero.
The other problem I have, namely a misfire when stationary, has also been greatly improved by the new HT leads. I can hear that it's still missing very slightly when I touch the throttle after standing stationary, but it clears much more quickly and doesn't really cause an issue. It also doesn't misfire if the fans have kicked in, so I'm sure it's due to airflow and cooling. Replacing the ignition amp is next on my 'to-do' list - it must sit in a pool of hot air at the top of the engine bay.
Another improvement that the HT leads seem to have made is that the throttle response seems smoother and less snatchy. Particularly when gently re-applying power after lifting off the throttle, and particularly at lower speeds, it was previously quite difficult to do it without the engine snatching and making the car lurch a bit - but now it is much easier and much less prone to snatching. I've no idea why that would be, but I'm quite pleased about it.
As expected, there appears to be no difference in overall power and performance.
I do need to sort out the routing of the cables though: at the moment they loop up before plugging into the distributor and I've a feeling they're rubbing on the bonnet, which isn't good.
But overall, I'd recommend anyone to replace old HT leads with a bog standard set of Lucas ones for about £25, especially if your car is fitted with fancy ones. As ChimpOnGas has said in the past, perhaps we should consider all these ignition components as consumables and replace them every 30,000 miles.
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Friday 10th July 10:37
It's very difficult to find a satisfactory route for the plug leads from the distributor, I had a misfire and traced it to a plug lead turning and then touching exhaust manifold, quite easy to detect as it had melted, I probably moved it and didn't notice, lead then shorted out on the metal heater pipes,,,
Popped an old lead on and no problems since.
In your case if it wasn't obvious a lead must be breaking down or somehow shorting in the many places the leads come into contact with things!
Pleased it seems to have solved the problem somewhat
Popped an old lead on and no problems since.
In your case if it wasn't obvious a lead must be breaking down or somehow shorting in the many places the leads come into contact with things!
Pleased it seems to have solved the problem somewhat
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