In a message dated 96-08-28 06:13:32 EDT, you write:
<< My old handbook says
"light engine oil". Are modern multigrades still too heavy?
This morning, barely 100 miles later, I was driving to work on a main
road (about 60mph) and the car lost power and got a bit "lumpy", like it
was starving of something: but whether fuel or air or ignition I couldn't
say. It idles just fine, but didn't want to cruise at speed. Dropped
speed to about 45mph and got to work okay. Only had a couple of minutes
to look under the bonnet when I arrived: Dashpot level is a little
lower, but not too low (I think). No other obvious faults: all leads
and vacuum connected. There is a rubber breather tube, running from the
rocker cover to the air filter, which is kinked so I straightened it out.
Water temperature okay. No (new) oil leaks, Greg. >>
Daren,
If if feels like fuel starvation, it could be the fuel filter. Has it been
replace lately? A partially clogged filter will restrict larger volumes of
fuel which you need at higher speeds.
The kinked vent hose would not cause the problem you described. If you choke
off the crankcase ventilation you may get some new oil leaks. Without proper
ventilation crankcase pressure build and pushes the oil out of strange
places.
Does the car run OK after warmed up, or do you have to use the choke all the
time? Actually 25 mpg doesn't sound too terribly bad for that engine. What
are you used to getting, and what was done to the car just before the mileage
dropped. Or, did it just kind of do it on its own? Think back.
Keep us posted,
Charlie B.
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