Help Engine Misfire runing rough

[Tony Griffiths]

Yesterday, motoring to Buxton, the Ulster went onto three cylinders - as it has occasionally in the past and then cleared (it has also tended to misfire when driving along a very rough road). Fearing the worst, I opened the bonnet to find that an HT lead had come out of the distributor. The inner wire (steel not copper) had just snapped off short of the brass washer through which the cable passes and is spread. Of course, all the screws were dead tight - but, does one ever think to tug at the cables, just to be sure? With the cable fixed, the car then ran perfectly. Knowing that the problem would never occur again, I made up a spare long HT lead to keep in the tool bag....

[Steve Jones]

..... - but, does one ever think to tug at the cables, just to be sure?.......

Well. yes, Tony. In fact, did exactly that yesterday as part of the final preparation for our second Scottish trip of the year where we'll be taking in the SA7C weekend at Guildtown and the follow on holiday at Boat of Garten - after a quiet week on the Fife Coast first. Leaving early doors Sunday.

However, that was only because exactly what happened to you happened to me a few years ago at the end of the Sherburn Bypass on the way to one of Malcolm's runs - Cumbria I think. Car running well suddenly dropped onto three. Pulled over, couldn't find anything wrong at first but shorting each plug out with a screwdriver showed the duff cylinder. Still couldn't work it out until I tweaked the leads and the duff lead came away in my hand. Easy fix but after that, I always give the leads a tug. Never happened again, of course (well, it wouldn't, would it ) but a lesson learned.

Steve

[AustinWood]

Modern HT cable is smaller OD than old allowing it to wobb;e in the acorn & fatigue.