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None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 9:39 am
by RJ8V
Good day fellow Car lovers.

Guys I seriously need some help as I came to the point of being desperate regarding my Nissan 1400 bakkie. I literally don't know what else to look for or to do.

The problem I am having started a while ago, basically the bakkie struggles to idle or when I come to a stop street or robot, the bakkie idling drops and eventually stalls, If I don't keep it on revs, it stalls and struggle to start again.

I changed a few parts and all will be good for a while then back to square one. It also ran fine last week, stood for the weekend and then on Monday when I started it, it all started over.

The following I've done so far;

New jets on carb
Adjusted float level
Replaced spark plugs
Replaces vacuum hoses
Sprayed water all over base plate, brakebooster, vacuum lines to see if there might be a vacuum leak but no luck
Replaced points, adjusted points
Replaced coil
Replaced distributor cap
Replaced rotor
Replaced battery
Readjusted float level
Replaced carb
Inspected idling solenoid and it still works fine
Inspected fuel pump that was replaced a few months ago and still fine
Seviced with new plugs, filters etc
Adjusted timing by retarded and advancing it

I've also noticed, bakkie started fairly easy in the cold morning, once warm I then have to rev it at robot or so in order for it not to stall, I've also checked choke but can't seem to be causing a problem, sometimes when the idling drops it is almost as if it is flooding, misses and stalls, by now I've flooded the bakkie lol. At this point I no longer want to spend money unnecessary so would appreciate any advise. It is a 2005 model stock standard

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 9:56 am
by panic-mechanic
I cannot tell you what the fault is and all I can tell you is that you threw a whole heap of money at it because basically at this point it seems what you have done is take a guess at possible faults but without doing any actual diagnosis.
So literally you don't KNOW why it is dying and until you have made the relevant diagnosis you might eventually accidentally stumble on it. You know the blind squirrel also finds a nut analogy...
SO start by trying to DIAGNOSE the fault. you will need some stuff - like some device to measure air/fuel ratio - can even be an old CO meter or a modern AF ratio meter. but currently you are mainly guessing that it is a fuel problem. if you measure AF ratio you can see if it is going leaner leaner and then dying or going richer richer and dying. if the AF ratio don't waver and it just cuts out you have a spark problem or possible electrical issue etc.
So that is my only advise. diagnose the fault - then fixing is probably going to be pretty simple.
You say you changed the points - did you do the condenser?.

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:20 am
by RJ8V
Hi Panic, harsh but true maybe I needed to hear that. To be honest, I'm limited with tools and knowledge and always try to fix something myself, Middelburg doesn't really offer good mechanics at this stage, I have no idea what AF or Co meter even looks like or where to get or what to measure and guess you could say that I played the guess game but also in my defence those are mostly the culprits. Condenser was replaced about a year ago, haven't replaced it yet as I can't get the screw loose, it is stripped. But can give it another go, by now I think the timing is also out as I adjusted by ear, as I am not willing to pay over 900 bucks for a digital timing light to get it on spec 8 BTDC

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:33 am
by panic-mechanic
By ear timing works just fine if you have a really good ear. change the condenser - they are often an issue and you need to get the screw loose in any case - you can't ignore it forever.
if you are going to keep playing the guessing game then also have a good look at the tank for the fuel supply. maybe something is blocking that.
Didn't these carbs have a sight glass for the float level?. that will show you if it is running dry.

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 11:00 am
by RJ8V
Thanks Panic, Tank I can inspect and yes can't ignore it so might as well get that stripped screw off. Yes they do have the visual glass, with the original hitachi carb the float was centre in the float but that carb is no more, when I open it up, it slipped and broke the float as well as bended the accelerator pully thing. The midas carb worked well, although float never really showed centre even when I adjusted the float level. Really bugs me, with FI so much easier, just scan for faults, at this stage O think I will need to find someone with more experience regarding carb cars. No point in taking it to these oukes around me and their workmanship is of such poor class that I completely lost my trust and would rather attend to something myself.

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:49 pm
by panic-mechanic
have you played with the mixture adjustment on the carb instead of float level only.
But the fact that you had the same issue with two different carbs takes me somewhere else...

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:38 pm
by NHB_R
Do these have idle sensors? Check there too....

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2019 6:36 am
by RJ8V
Morning guys, No I don't believe there is any form of idle sensor, only the idling solenoid. Yes once bakkie actually idles without dropping, I able to play with the mix screw and can hear a change once turned, currently had it at 1.5 turns where it sounded least interrupted. I'm planning on going through entire timing, points, condenser etc, once ai get it starter I will record the starting, idling and also the moment the idling drops, maybe that can be of assistance

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2019 1:33 pm
by panic-mechanic
See if the power stays on on the idle solenoid. Earth straps to the engine , carb, body still good?.

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2019 7:36 am
by RJ8V
Good idea, will recheck my earth cables, just one question, how do I check if the power stays on at the idle solenoid while idling?

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2019 9:26 pm
by panic-mechanic
volt meter...

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 9:59 am
by RJ8V
Morning all,

Just an update, so I went thru everything again the weekend and I think I found the area of my problem as I was paying extra attention and actually had someone to assist by keeping bakkie at revs so it can idle while I explore possible causes.

Here is what I saw and I think this might be the source of my problem however I need to know how and what to identify.

While my friend tried to keep it at idle, also it sputters and only on high revs the rpm sounds right, anyway while he is keeping it at a high revs,I inspected the carb and almost certain it is flooding, spark plugs are black and wet, there is petrol leaking at the bottom of the carb, dripping off the intake onto the exhaust manifold, so not only is this an issue but also a hazard. When the bakkie died I could see petrol dripping from the 2 jets downwards onto the butterfly and almost looked like a puddle. So can this infact be the issue? What is causing it to leak and or flood? I've tried using the old original carb bottom with the midas carb top, although it fitted great, problem still persist.

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 10:30 am
by panic-mechanic
All symptomps of a too high float level or a leaking needle and seat. Either way it overfills the bowl and runs out instead of being sucked out by the jet.

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 5:27 pm
by Ashveer03
These carbs are common to give issues. They sensitive to where if u overtighten the top part to the bottom they start messing around.

My uncle has 1 and the carb put him through hell, originals seem to work best.

I would rather get an echlin service kit, service the original, reset the float and check from there

Sent from my EML-L29 using Tapatalk


Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 11:09 am
by RJ8V
Hi guys,

Turned out to be the fcking float, just wish I swallowed my pride and asked for assistance earlier, oh well at least the parts I've replaced I know now won't be needed going forward. Float was never really floating, after some time it sucked up fuel and kept sinking, allowing the needle to be open and thus flooding the engine. Thanks for the assistance, bakkie is running perfect again.

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 11:36 am
by panic-mechanic
Glad It's sorted. non floating floats are often the source of some serious headaches.

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2019 3:06 pm
by RJ8V
Hi guys, just a quick question, bakkie feels a bit lazy, noticed that co2 screw cannot be lower than 2.5 turns, the moment I try toadjust it in, idles rough, don't really notice a difference when turning out and also noticed pinging under light acceleration, retarded timing by distributor a bit and is better however still have slight ping and a bit lazy, should I retard some more?

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2019 3:28 pm
by VAG Fan
If the pinging were happening because of advanced timing, then the engine should actually be pulling strong.

I wonder if your mixture is not too lean. This would cause sluggish performance and hot combustion (which can lead to pinging).

Are you sure the float level is sufficiently high? Have you changed anything on the jetting, or are the jets standard?

In terms of the CO screw: What do you mean by "not lower than 2.5 turns" - is "in" leaner and "out" richer?

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2019 3:40 pm
by Ashveer03
Adjusting the screw in (tighter) is actually making it more rich. Adjusting the screw out (loosening) makes it leaner.

Get a timing light and set the timing properly.

Point gap - 0.45-0.55mm
Ign timing - 7degrees btdc at 650rpm
Advance - 14degrees at 2300rpm

Sent from my EML-L29 using Tapatalk


Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2019 5:56 pm
by RJ8V
At the end of the day, I bought another carb brand new, from agents, when we discovered the float was the issue on the Midas carb, carb was opened up so many times so I rather just bought a new sealed one, knowing it will just be a plug and play job. Float level is perfect, co screw was on standard 2.5 turns out, if I turn it in (to richen) it starts to idle rough) if I turn it out, I dont really notice a difference but I turning a quarter of a half each time. When I noticed the first ping on slight acceleration, I retarded timing, drove again and less pinging but still noticeable, retarded a bit once again, now I only notice the ping on hard acceleration and uphill, should I retard once more? And yes it still feels kind off sluggish

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2019 7:14 pm
by panic-mechanic
ping is not only caused by timing. Too lean can also cause pinging.

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2019 9:08 pm
by RJ8V
Okay so co needs to be closed a bit? But if I turn in as per above, starting to idle rough and uneven, surely can't be right?

Re: None VW but need help as I am desperate

Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2019 7:49 pm
by panic-mechanic
uh. That is idle co. CO underpower away from idle is determined by the jet size..