Kangarooing Caterham?

[framerateuk]

I can't decide if it's something the car does occasionally, or something I'm doing wrong occasionally. But sometimes, when I hit the throttle softly, the car seems to kangaroo quite badly! I'm not sure if this is something mechanical, or if it's just me being in the wrong gear with the wrong amount of throttle.

It's not something that happens when cold, if anything, it's more after the car has been driven, stopped for a few minutes, and then driven again.

Any ideas? I'm quite willing to put it down to inexperience and driver fault, but it's nagging me, so I feel I should ask some experts

(It's a Sigma 140 Roadsport 6 Speed by the way!)

[hufggfg]

Most likely it is just the way you're driving it.

Modern cars have all sorts of complex electronics which will change fuelling etc so they don't kangaroo even if you do drive them at very low revs... The Caterham not so... When creeping along I find I have to accelerate smoothly, rather than fluctuate low speed, and if you have to do something that'll get it kangarooing, just slip the clutch a bit.

[mnrvortxf20c]

do you run a fuel swirl pot?

[subirg]

I had that on mine. Duratec engine. Turned out tO be throttle springs v light. Solution was to adjust drivIng style. Or fit stiffer spring.

[DCL]

There has been is some discussion about this on blatchat. Maybe not your problem but some Ford engine cars seem do something similar after a hot start. There are several theories but IMHO it is fuel vaporisation in the fuel line or rail. Mine did it when using Tesco fuel but now I am using Shell V Power the problem seems to have gone away.

[framerateuk]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm afraid I have no idea what a fuel swirl pot is, so I assume not

I've just started running higher octane petrol after some dropping revs on a cold start, so we'll see how it works out after a few tanks. Hopefully that'll sort the problem.

However, like I said, I'm quite sure the problem is between the wheel and seat. It did it a few times last weekend, and it was kangarooing a LOT when the other half drove it for the first time a few weeks back. That made me suspect it was a driver issue. I guess I'll just have to learn not to do it!

[juditas]

Mrs judita here, had to fix my sweethearts crazy grammar n love of smileys: I had the same problem in my 09 simga 125 at about 15km , It was a easy fix in my case. Where I work there,s a garage next door and while outside on my way to many smoke breaks , asked one of lads on one of his smoke breaks would he know what was happening , told him at half to full trottle that it was like the engine was not getting enough fuel for a second or two then you jumped about a bit , at this stage even he was getting bored walked of saying .... the wonderful words of "spark plugs", . comes back with four new plugs , and changed all four in time to finish of his fag in peace and didn,t charge me a penny for doing it. HE is a top bloke does not suffer fools gladly but i did feel a bit of a . Just said "thats it, Is fixed" . Much to say i was a bit and felt a bit of a Tit. Anyway to make a very short story into an epic . IT WORKED

Edited by juditas on Thursday 25th October 05:24

[coppice]

I think most of all it's a case of TADTS- none of my Sevens liked light throttle openings . A dip of clutch, a quick blip of throttle and it clears. The issue mentioned on blatchat is a more insidious one and on my Duratec car manifests itself as acute snatchiness and hesitation after restart on a long journey- I think heatsoak. Disappears as soon as loud pedal engaged meaningfully too.

[130g]

My seven doesn't like light throttle either, so if I am not very careful it will kangaroo...much to the amusement of bystanders
I found that, to a large degree, it can be controlled if I am very aware of keeping my throttle foot steady. I had not heard the one about light vs. heavy throttle springs, but it make sense.

[Smollet]

Had a similar problem on my 150 Sigma. Having it remapped helped but it still does it on a light throttle on low revs.

[grenpayne]

I think all Sevens do it to some greater or lesser degree, although as Coppice says a quick 'dip and blip' (I like that ) sorts it out. The other method is to consciously rest the side of your right foot on the sidewall of the car to help keep it steady at light throttle openings.

[Mostro]

130g said:

My seven doesn't like light throttle either

What are these "light throttle openings" that you all speak of?

framerateuk said:

That made me suspect it was a driver issue. I guess I'll just have to learn not to do it!

Answered your own question!

[BBL-Sean]

juditas said:

Much to say i was a bit and felt a bit of a Tit.

That always makes me feel better!