Stop a Car Cutting out and Losing All Power
If it's an older model car, this sounds like a fuel starvation problem.
Steps
- Check your fuel lines for leaks.
- Check your air filter: if it's very dirty, replace it.
- Buy a kit for the carburetor and once you have replaced everything, check that the float level is correct.
- Ensure that the carburetor is properly torqued down and that no air gets in between it and the inlet manifold. Use an approved gasket sealant on the gasket between carburetor and manifold.
- Ensure that the ignition timing is correct for your particular altitude. Use a timing light to set it.
- If the timing is correct but the car still experiences hesitant and/or jerky acceleration, check that the ignition coil is supplying the correct voltage. A weak or shorted coil can't supply a strong enough spark and results in poor combustion in one or more cylinders. Check and replace spark plug wires with corroded contacts and/or cracked or frayed insulation.
- Spark plugs will not function well when choked with carbon deposits. Remove the spark plug and clean the spark gap area with a wire brush and cleaning solution. Measure the gap and adjust if necessary before reattaching the spark plug.
Tips
- Buy a workshop manual for your make of car: they have extensive trouble-shooting hints and tips.
Warnings
- If this is a more modern car, with fuel injection and electronic, computerized systems, take it to an approved workshop and let them sort it out as tampering with anything could just make the problem more complex and cost a bundle to fix.
Things You'll Need
- a good set of tools, including spanners and screwdrivers.
- Your wits about you.
- Carburettor kit.
- Torque wrench.
- Timing light.
- You might want to change the spark plugs while you're about it.
- Workshop manual to show you how everything is done.
