Sounds like a charging issue to me. If the dynamo isn't providing
enough new smoke into the system the engine will eventually die, making
all sorts of noises in its death throes. Simply have your nephew get it
jump-started again and put a multi-meter on the battery to see if it's
receiving a charge. Don't over-think it.
Jack
On 4/11/2017 4:12 AM, Simon Lachlan wrote:
>
> Thanks for all the replies.
>
> Now, I had thought that we were facing two separate issues:-
>
> The battery was flat because of frequent short trips and then a series
> of attempts to start a recalcitrant engine.
>
> The engine was "making a weird noise" and generally misbehaving which
> led to more attempts to start and a flatter and flatter
> battery......the one thing leading to the other.
>
> Are you guys suggesting that the battery -- still under guarantee --
> and/or the generator could cause the engine to stutter, under rev and
> go gutless? ie that, let's say, a fluctuating output from the
> generator could cause fluctuations in the ignition circuit? That would
> be contrary to what I'd expect. Generators fail.........the lights go
> dim but the engine, if it dies at all, does so unspasmodically? (If
> that's even a word!). In my experience, it's more a question of the
> battery being flat as a pancake when you next try to start the car.
>
> And, of course, we haven't heard if the charging light has come on.
> What about that, PH?
>
> As I said, I was thinking about timing. Are those bolts on the
> distributor clamp tight enough?
>
> Anyhow, I would really appreciate some more guru time on this one. Thanks,
>
> Simon
>
> *From:* Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] *On Behalf Of
> *Bob Spidell
> *Sent:* 11 April 2017 01:06
> *To:* healeys at autox.team.net
> *Subject:* Re: [Healeys] "Engine making a weird noise"
>
> I helped a friend jumpstart her Toyota (Corolla, I think; maybe a
> Camry--who cares ;). A jump started the car immediately, but it
> barely ran; couldn't even light the dash gauges. The alternator was
> shot; ergo, could be the dynamo on your nephew's car.
>
> Bob
>
> On 4/10/2017 1:41 PM, Simon Lachlan wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Advice from the experts required please:-
>
> (No just the experts. We can all have a go.
>
> So, I got this, below, from my nephew just now:-
>
> QUOTE:-
>
> Hi Uncle Simon!
> ................ I went to work with the healey on Saturday. All
> went well in the morning but on the way back the engine stopped
> just after the gate... And it would not start: as if the battery
> was flat: not much happening when trying to start it! I spent 30
> min checking the distributor, wires, etc. all seemed normal.
> I called the assistance. They came with a battery booster which
> got the car started immediately. After 15min of driving I found
> myself in a traffic jam. The car kept on wanting to stop. I tried
> keeping the revs up but it did not work well: the engine was
> making a weird noise, the car had very little power and the revs
> did not want to go high: 4500 maximum. I don't see what that
> engine problem has got to do with the battery?
> And I can't explain how the new battery can be flat!?
> The engine stopped in front of my garage. It would not start. I
> pushed the car in it. And left. I was a bit fed up with it so did
> not go back. I might do in a few days...
> Any ideas about the problem!?
> PH
>
> UNQUOTE
>
> Well, the battery may be new, but I suspect it's used quite
> frequently and doesn't get time to get charged.
>
> Main problem is the lack of power and other related issues. Car is
> a BJ8 with a very recently fitted Pertronix EI and coil.
>
> I'm thinking coil or coil connections or timing. The car's in a
> basement in Paris; I'm in Devon, UK which makes life tricky.
>
> Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
>
> Simon
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> Support Team.Nethttp://www.team.net/donate.html
>
> Suggested annual donation $12.75
>
> Archive:http://www.team.net/archive
>
> Forums:http://www.team.net/forums
>
>
>
>
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys
>
>
>
> Unsubscribe/Manage:http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/bspidell
> at comcast.net
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation $12.75
> Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
> Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
>
> Healeys at autox.team.net
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys
>
> Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/jht66e at
> comcast.net
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL:
<http://autox.team.net/pipermail/healeys/attachments/20170411/26a75f18/attachment.html>
|