Timewarp Maestro Help

[F111RHK]

I sat last night with the timewarp trying to start her and eventually after about a min she did, but i have to keep my foot on the accelarator pedal at a constant 1500 rpm to 2000rpm to keep her turning over, if I take off my foot she drifts back down to about 400rpm and stalls, once warmed up a little she idles at 800rpm but steadily rises to about 1100rpm and then after about 10 minutes running in one foul swoop increases in the rev range from 1100rpm to 1500rpm??? ie in less than 10 seconds.

Any ideas - I have thought about changing the carb or could it be something simple? I don't think its carbon build up in the engine as she has only done 6225 miles, could it be a mixture problem? a friend said it could be the timing chain could be not set correctly?.... to be honest I don't know where to start... Im looking to take her for an mot next month....

Something she did do ( ie fixing herself without any assistance ) was the hazard light switch never flashed - it did last night lol.

[G Force]

Hi, Sounds like the choke did not operate?

What engine do you have? Is the temp gauge working?

Cheers gary :)

[digital efi]

Could be just stale petrol: if the car has stood without running for much over 3 months it is quite likely. It always causes difficult starting.

Part of the electronic system for the carburettor is a function that detects the engine trying to stall, and the ECU opens the throttle to compensate. That explains the erratic idle speed. (this was provided to stop the engine stalling when the heated rear window, lights and heater were all running, etc etc)

It is VERY unlikely that a 6,000 mile car could have timing chain problems. (yes, even one built by Austin-Rover!)

P@ul

[F111RHK]

To G-force - It might be the choke as I had to pump the throttle pedal to get any fuel through as she just kept trying to turn over but not firing up, the engine is an R series engine not too sure the temp gauge is working as there is no reading on the instrument panel and in the time I have had her I have not heard the fan.... as far as I can remember.

[F111RHK]

the car is started to often and refilled ( my partner would never allow a car to go so long without being started ).... at least that explains the eratic idling.

[G Force]

To G-force - It might be the choke as I had to pump the throttle pedal to get any fuel through as she just kept trying to turn over but not firing up, the engine is an R series engine not too sure the temp gauge is working as there is no reading on the instrument panel.

Hi, I would start by checking that you dont have any air leaks in the vacuum hoses etc. and check that the ORFCO valve is not stuck open. Check the vacuum switch diaphragm is ok and the float chamber vent pipe is not blocked.

You should make sure the ignition componants are in good order especially the HT leads as this can cause bad starting misfire and cutting out when cold.

It is important to find out why the temp gauge is not working as this could mean the ECU that controls the choke is receiving the wrong information from the coolant temp sensor.

Pumping the throttle on your car does not give any additional fuel when the engine is not running as the carb does not have an accelerator pump as such.

Cheers Gary :)