My new 316!

[Junglistjed]

The filter itself mate, wondering if an old clogged one might be adding to the cutting out problem?

[Speedtouch]

It certainly won't help to use an old clogged one!

[Junglistjed]

Well i got it serviced but they had to order the part in so its going on monday, doubt its the cause of the cutting out though! won't be able to get a weber for monday so im hoping the garage can find the cause of it!

[Junglistjed]

Is there anything i should order so it can definitely be fixed on the monday?

[Speedtouch]

A can of Start Ya Bastard, by the sounds of it!

A can of carb or brake cleaner can also be used - spray it down the carb intake while cranking the engine over.

Have you changed the fuel filter recently? It should be done every couple of years or so.

[Junglistjed]

Thing is, the lad said he removed the carb and found nothing wrong.. :/

[Speedtouch]

He may have removed it, but did he open it up and clean out all the jets and passages?

Alot of the time with older carbs, they become clogged with silt and gum/varnish, so you need to carefully clean all the parts with carb cleaner and blow through with an airline.

Another old motorcyclist's trick is to boil the carb in lemon juice.

[Junglistjed]

Could that be the cause of the cutting out them mate? im sure they would of seen an air leak if there was one

[Speedtouch]

Could well be, if it's partially blocked.

However, I would be checking that the auto choke works as it should, before proceeding any further.

[Junglistjed]

Im useless tbh, which is why im relying in the garage to fix it for me, but if they haven't got the parts then they cant

[Speedtouch]

Just check and clean the original parts - usually the auto choke is just a coiled up bimetallic strip that opens and shuts the choke flap dependent on temperature; don't be afraid to dismantle to investigate - they are fairly simple things; just be sure to take careful note of how the parts go together.

[Junglistjed]

How comes the engine runs fine when hot? surely an air leak would cause it to always run badly? i know for a fact that my air filter isn't in the best of condition

[Speedtouch]

Probably because the auto choke has fully opened by then; if it's not opening properly from a cold start, the excessively rich running will cause sooting up of the spark plugs, hence the cutting out.

You could try jamming the choke flap open, and pump the throttle a few times to get it going from a cold start.

[Junglistjed]

He did mention that it was still running 'rich' when i took it away, what exactly does that mean? when it goes in on monday ill ask them to sort it even if it means a bodge job, will be getting a weber soon hopefully anyway!

[Speedtouch]

Running rich means an excess of fuel in the air-fuel mixture, giving an excess amount of unburnt hydrocarbons and sooty spark plugs.

Not only is this bad for the environment, but also wears the engine as you get bore wash, where the oil is washed off the cylinder bores. Also means you end up using more fuel than you should, which costs you even more, so not a good thing, really!

[Junglistjed]

that definitely doesn't sound good not turning out to be a good car tbh!

[hillbilly30]

Not a bad car mate, don't get down about it, it's just what used to be very common issues with carbs, now the problem is finding a mechanic who knows how to solve the issues, were all very used to modern injected cars now that just fire up and go.
My Dad always tell me about the 1970's when on a frosty morning half the cars on the street wouldn't even start due to frozen carbs and flat battery's!
If you find an old school mechanic who knows carbs I'm sure he would be able to sort the issue very quickly. But if you can find another (good) carb quickly and simply swap it then result!

[Speedtouch]

As above, it just needs someone who knows what they're doing with carbs to adjust it properly!

[Junglistjed]

Hopefully trial and error prevails and they find the problem! live in the middle of nowhere no finding an expert isn't likely hopefully its repairable so i can drive it whilst looking for a weber cheers guys

[Speedtouch]

In the meantime, I would recommend getting a can of carb cleaner and use it liberally to clean up the carb as much as possible.

A damned good thrashing (Italian tune-up) may also help!

[Junglistjed]

So just remove the carb and spray it on? its a real shame that it cuts out as as soon as the engine is warm it runs really well and is a nice drive

[Brianmoooore]

First of all, "Members' E30s" is intended for pics., descriptions, etc. of your cars, not long winded discussions on technical problems. If you post here, then your problems are unfortunately not likely to be seen by many of those that can likely help. E30 technical problems should be posted in "E30 tech. help".
I don't have the time to trawl through eight pages, but I'm afraid you're on a hiding to nothing with the original Pierburg. It's not just the auto choke that can give problems, but the electrics associated with the idle control are a bigger problem.
You say the engine cuts out at junctions. Are you sure this isn't just the engine stalling because the revs. drop below the minimum needed for the engine to run? There is no physical idle throttle stop on these carbs.; it relies on an electronic feedback loop with sensors on the carb. to maintain a constant idle speed, and these sensors will be well past there best by now.

[Junglistjed]

Yeah it stops when the car isn't getting revs but only when cold, about 10-15 minutes into my journey i can sit stationary without a single rev and the car won't cut out..

[Junglistjed]

There definitely isn't an air leak and ignition is fine, hopefully the garage find the problem today

[Junglistjed]

Thinking about a leather interior, are all types a straight fit?

[Junglistjed]

Still need to machine polish a few panels, she's looking good but need to get her running good!

[hillbilly30]

That looks real nice mate, well done! Very clean, nice colour, Also suits the Borbetts very well!







In other news, I hate yellow lights! Sorry, I know it's not my car but I feel compelled to comment such is the strength of my dislike. (Feel free to talk some smack about my mother!)

[Junglistjed]

Yeah the borbets were a bit of a risk but i think they work well with the colour mate! and i expected the yellow to be very marmite but there's something about it i like! haha

[Junglistjed]

Just curious, do people think the wheels will look better with flat caps? like the pic below..

[hillbilly30]

Can't see link but I like the ones you have already! My mate has the flat caps on a set and they don't look as good IMO

[Junglistjed]

Yeah im really not sure, i really like the caps i have now but i do like the idea of the wheel having the flat face!

[Speedtouch]

I prefer the flat caps.

[Automaton]

Ah finally you got a set. Looks good. I too would lose the yellow lights.
Now let's hope the running issues are sorted.

[Brianmoooore]

No problem with the yellow lights - they're an OE item after all, but at least get a full set. Two yellow and two white spoils the effect.

[mark_gpz]

Take the frying pan off lol and stick a pair of webers or delortoes on, give it wings aha ;D