Sticky accelerator cable!!

[Chauffeurdude]

Went for little run out in wedge yesterday as done few jobs and want to finally get it on road properly!! All well until booted it past few slow moving cars and made some good progress!! Backed off and didn't slow down, revs still at about 3000rpm, not good!! Had to slow down quickly and didn't want engine to rev to oblivion by dipping clutch so turned it off, dipped clutch and coasted to halt!! Phew!! Checked linkage which was fine but cable was obviously sticky inside presumably not helped by engine bay heat. Freed cable off slightly and nursed car few miles home with tickover stuck at about 2500rpm. Have tried lubricating cable but doesn't want to play so will need a new one. Is this a generic cable or bespoke fitment and more to point where can I get one quickly? Really want to get this on the road now!! Many thanks for your help.

[350zwelgje]

Fixed mine with a generic pushbike brake cable and carry a spare.
Or you can have one made by speedycables etc.

Rob

[crackedfinger]

Just to check, I had a friends car do this a few times, where the cables were sticky, turned out to be a poor earth connection and the cable was heating up as it was acting as the earth, melting into the sleeve a bit. A quick check on the earth strap will rule this out.

[Chauffeurdude]

Good thinking!! Thanks!! Cable did seem warm even though runs across back of engine bay so you would think away from worst of heat. Will check that out.

[Wedgester]

Chauffeurdude said:

Went for little run out in wedge yesterday as done few jobs and want to finally get it on road properly!! All well until booted it past few slow moving cars and made some good progress!! Backed off and didn't slow down, revs still at about 3000rpm, not good!! Had to slow down quickly and didn't want engine to rev to oblivion by dipping clutch so turned it off, dipped clutch and coasted to halt!! Phew!! Checked linkage which was fine but cable was obviously sticky inside presumably not helped by engine bay heat. Freed cable off slightly and nursed car few miles home with tickover stuck at about 2500rpm. Have tried lubricating cable but doesn't want to play so will need a new one. Is this a generic cable or bespoke fitment and more to point where can I get one quickly? Really want to get this on the road now!! Many thanks for your help.

Just in the process of renewing my accelerator cable as we speak as mine had become rather sticky and jerky making smooth gear changes a little awkward. In the absence of a direct replacement I opted for one of the excellent universal teflon lined car accelerator cable kits available from Venhill Engineering of Surrey (just Google Venhill for their site). The kit consists of 4 metres of heavy duty outer cable, 4 metres of teflon liner (doesn't need oiling) and a whole selection of assorted fitments, adjusters, clevis fitments, cotter pins, clips, caps, solderless nipples etc and a good quality 4 metre inner cable with 10mm x 6mm barrel lug at one end and a threaded bar lug at the other (just discard the end not required)- seems a very comprehensive kit and should constitute two or three cables from all the parts included, cost about £32.00 for the kit,

Regards,

Keith

[Solitude]

same as, soaked in WD40 to no avail.
Shipped it complete to speedy cables, they replicated it.....back in 5 days for £28.
Why bother mucking about with it when you can get it for that/in that !!!!!

[Chauffeurdude]

Thanks for the prompt replies. I have to say speedy cables is looking favourite at moment. Need to get it in for M.O.T next week so better get my finger out!! Cheers.

[Chauffeurdude]

Finally got the cable back from 'speedy' cables today!! Slower than expected I have to say and had to chase them up yesterday explaining was urgent as needed to use the car this weekend. Let's hope is okay when fit it tomorrow. Only got clutch to sort then (losing pedal so hydraulics), exhaust joint leak (caught speed bump) and an M.O.T. and should be good for BBWF!! Plus of course this car doesn't seem to like having been dragged out of it's slumber for a good few years and will probably repay my efforts with another epic failure!! Every time I touch it something else goes wrong!! Can't beat it when its running properly though!! Hope to see you all saturday.

[chedder]

quote....Every time I touch it something else goes wrong!!

Sounds like its a normal Wedge then!
rofl:

[Chauffeurdude]

Well so far so good! Cable done! Exhaust blow done! Not looked at clutch yet but will try and bleed it in morning, can live with it for moment though so long as avoid heavy traffic! Couldn't get M.O.T until 12.20p.m. tomorrow so presuming it passes and will play the game hopefully be there about 2p.m.

If you see a white 350i - D434 AEO on tradeplates then you know I made it!! Here's hoping anyway!!

[Chauffeurdude]

Well we made it!! Passed M.O.T with no advisories(about 1.15p.m.), fuelled up and ran over to BBWF. Went well all told although appeared to run bit warm - 90+ C a couple of times, had to use fan over-ride!! Not helped by me playing up some chavs on the A46 on way home!! Showed them a clean pair of tailpipes though and got up a good turn of speed, handling good and brakes good from high speed thankfully!! All in all a good day and learn't some useful tips and modifications which will help sort cooling system. Many thanks to all for your help so far.

Really must tax it soon, think the 05/01 expiry tax disc still in screen creates a few chuckles!! Been using my garage tradeplates as not had chance to use it much yet - demonstration/road test purposes only of course!!