maestro help needed

[kev1and2]

Finally decided to get my 1.6 lx auto maestro ready for the road . started the car 2 days ago took a few turns but finally fired into life ,when I tried to start it later woudn't start ,next day hesitantly started smells very rich black smoke out of the back not sure if this is carbon coming loose in exhaust or rich running plugs are black . Car has had new fuel pump carb has been played with so don't know if thats ok .had sill fitted but not seam welded and corrosion in front footwell will this be costly really want to restore the car been in the family for many years and has only done 53000 . Any advice gratefully appreciated

[BikerGran]

Finally decided to get my 1.6 lx auto maestro ready for the road . started the car 2 days ago took a few turns but finally fired into life ,when I tried to start it later woudn't start
You have to let it warm up properly after starting it up, otherwise it won't start again - I've had this happen.


As for the rest it does sound like the carb to me but I don't have the knowhow - I'm sure someone else will tho!

[E_T_V]

Sounds like it needs a tune up to me.. Also if the fuel has been stood for a long time then it tends to go off giving running problems.

[G Force]

Hi if the carb has got a vacuum switch fittted, check that the diapragm is not punctured. The vacuum switch is a device on the side of the carb just above the stepper motor. It has a vacuum pipe connected to it, you need to remove this pipe then prise the switch from the carb, if you can suck air through the port where the vacuum pipe was connected the valve needs renewing. If this valve is ok a good service and tune up, and a good run will probably sort it.

Like has already been said, if you start the engine and don't allow it to warm up to full temperature before turning it off, eventually you will find it very difficult or impossible to start.


Gary:)

[kev1and2]

Sorry was late when I posted should have said car has been started every few weeks on average but has not been on the road for over 3yrs . I usually let the car run till the fan kicks in and the petrol is fresh from the pump other thing i have noticed is when the car is warm the main breather is condensing water into the carb which stops the car after a while so have been letting the car run with the breather venting to air rather than into carb .its like the car is choking itself up and flooding if it doesn t start first time . i fitted the carb from a scrapper years ago but it replaced a manual conversion choke thought car would be better on auto choke . should i hear the stepper motor is this worked by muti plug with orange wires ? many thanks for replys so far

[G Force]

i have noticed is when the car is warm the main breather is condensing water into the carb which stops the car after a while so have been letting the car run with the breather venting to air rather than into carb .its like the car is choking itself up and flooding if it doesn t start first time .

Hi kev1and2, Condensation is a bit of an issue with the S series and there are a few things that can be done to help reduce the buildup of condensation in the breathers, which results in the formation of the mayonaise type sludge. Just search the forums for mayo in breathers etc. and you will find out how to deal with it.

That said I don't think it will be the condensation that actually makes the engine stop running. My guess is that it is running very rich for some reason and choking up so to speak. The fact that it runs better when the breather hose is removed is due to the extra air entering the carburettor helping to weaken the mixture. The running rich could be due to a faulty vacuum switch as I mentioned earlier or a faulty needle valve & seat or the wrong carb settings. The mixture could have been adjusted with the ORFCO valve stuck open which then makes the engine run too rich on choke. There are some instructions on how to check the orfco valve and how to tune the S series in the FAQ section.

i fitted the carb from a scrapper years ago but it replaced a manual conversion choke thought car would be better on auto choke . should i hear the stepper motor is this worked by muti plug with orange wires ? many thanks for replys so far

I always try to steer clear of the manual choke conversions and concentrate on fixing the auto choke. The carb you have fitted may have some faults on it but I would persevere and try fix the autochoke. When you first turn the ignition on from cold you should hear the stepper motor, and if you observe from under the bonnet while an assistant turns on the ignition you should also see the small jacking pin at the bottom of the stepper motor extend and move the throttle linkage.

Gary:)

[kev1and2]

Cheers Gary
Just spoke to a guy who refurbs carbs and your spot on ,he says condensation maybe due to car being parked for such a long time and that water should not affect the running as these cars do condense normally to some degree .sending the carb off for a refurb which will be new metering units ,gasket set along with full test and warrenty . so hopefully just the dreaded rust and mot to sort now .

[G Force]

sending the carb off for a refurb which will be new metering units ,gasket set along with full test and warrenty .

Hi again, You don't fancy doing it yourself then? :) Not a difficult job and there is plenty of guidence here if you want to tackle it.;)

Gary:)

[kev1and2]

Cheers gary
The maestro has got that many issues that im glad to off load this job . Thanks for the offer of guidance im sure i will be calling on that for the other jobs and will try to do this restoration as a forum project will take some pics and post on and do updates of the progress :)