Clutch Query and "stuttering" question

[Green Maestro Man]

Hi all - two questions - any help happily recieved!

1) My clutch - it's doing a funny thing in first or reverse (usually first). When I let it up from the floor, it engages very quickly (i.e. just a cm or two) and moves the car then disengages and re-engages again at the normal place. It doesn't always do this, but is doing it more and more usually. (car is a 1.3L Maestro 1989 (G Reg). Is it just a matter of adjusting the clutch cable? That doesn't seem likely to me as at the "top" it is engaging where it should - but maybe I'm wrong...

2) Stuttering question - the car runs poorly when idling but not too bad - I changed the spark plugs but this hasn't helped (and they were fine anyway I think). The Spark plug leads were renewed 1 1/2 years ago - do they go bad quickly (i.e. could that be my problem)? When I drive it, and am holding a constant speed (i.e. 30 mph) it "stutters" - can't describe it better really - every now and then it kind of lurches a bit forward - I am attributing this to the rocky running - but maybe it's something else...

What do you think? Thanks!

Peter

[Beaker]

For question No.2. Does the car do it in any particular weather condition? Has it just happened recently with all the rain we have been having?

[E_T_V]

1) Check the self adjusting mechanism on the cable, it may be that the spring or clip aren't seated properly or they aren't working correctly. Also check that the cable is routed ok and not fouling on anything and that the cable retainer on the gearbox is fitted correctly.
If the clutch when slipped makes the car pulse and shudder/judder then the cluch plate is either warped (unlikely on an A series), or breaking up at the end of its life.

2) As it is an A series engine, the standard things to check for rough running are:
Vacuum pipes - They crack and split and cause lots of problems. 9 out of 10 problems I reckon are caused by these.

Distributer/rotor arm - is it in good condition and dry

HT leads - Should be ok but you never know.

Oil level in the dash pot - Top it up with a little engine oil. Some peoples cars seem to use more than others. mine gets topped up maybe every 6 months/6k miles.

Spark plugs - make sure they work and are gapped correctly or change them for another set. Not usually a problem in my experience

[Green Maestro Man]

For question No.2. Does the car do it in any particular weather condition? Has it just happened recently with all the rain we have been having?

Nope - not related to weather - was doing this before...

[Green Maestro Man]

The Dash pot? What's that? is that the same as the damper on the top of the carb fitting?

P.


1) Check the self adjusting mechanism on the cable, it may be that the spring or clip aren't seated properly or they aren't working correctly. Also check that the cable is routed ok and not fouling on anything and that the cable retainer on the gearbox is fitted correctly.
If the clutch when slipped makes the car pulse and shudder/judder then the cluch plate is either warped (unlikely on an A series), or breaking up at the end of its life.

2) As it is an A series engine, the standard things to check for rough running are:
Vacuum pipes - They crack and split and cause lots of problems. 9 out of 10 problems I reckon are caused by these.

Distributer/rotor arm - is it in good condition and dry

HT leads - Should be ok but you never know.

Oil level in the dash pot - Top it up with a little engine oil. Some peoples cars seem to use more than others. mine gets topped up maybe every 6 months/6k miles.

Spark plugs - make sure they work and are gapped correctly or change them for another set. Not usually a problem in my experience

[Beaker]

Yup,

[Green Maestro Man]

HI all,

Have checked vacuum pipes which seem to be fine. Not sure how I clean distributor cap properly, but what I did was take it off and wipe it down a bit with a dry cloth - didn't seem to be dirty or wet. Topped up dash pot. All with no effect.

What I have done, though, is taken a look at the engine running when it's dark. I can see glowing rings around where the spark plugs sit on the engine. Does that seem like maybe HT leads are my problem then - i.e. I'm loosing charge somewhere?

Any ideas?

Peter

[E_T_V]

Are the HT leads located onto the spark plugs correctly? There should be a definate click as they are fitted. (some aftermarket HT leads have to be pushed on with quite a bit of force to make them seat correctly).

Remove the plugs from the engine, plug them into the ht leads and lay the spark plugs on the block, (so that the threaded bit is earthed). Turn the engine over with the starter motor (or get someone else to do it) and observe the plugs. Each one should give a strong regular blue spark. If they don't swap the plugs over to see if it is a dead plug or a dead lead. If they all spark fine then the chances are it is a fuel/ignition timing problem rather than an electrical one.

(the sparks you observe around the plug indicate that the spark is travelling through the HT lead ok but not the plug indicating a problem with the connection or the plug)