Engine stops

[EJprovost]

Since I have had the electrical re-done I have had some major issues with the engine on Quazar cutting out while the car is in motion (it happens after engine is well warmed up). Before I take it again to pass the emission test, I would really like to think I have covered all possible causes. Has anyone here had the same problem? Or does anyone have ideas where to look next? What I have done so far: New battery, new pos. cable to battery, new alternator, new voltage regulator, discovered that the ground for the engine had rust under it, so I cleaned that, new spark plugs and cords, new rotor. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[namba209]

Liz, had a problem similar with Willit? many years ago before the engine swap, it turned out the condensor on the side of the distributor was loose and making an intermittant ground as it vibrated loose from the housing.

[opelnut10]

Originally Posted by EJprovost Since I have had the electrical re-done I have had some major issues with the engine on Quazar cutting out while the car is in motion (it happens after engine is well warmed up). Before I take it again to pass the emission test, I would really like to think I have covered all possible causes. Has anyone here had the same problem? Or does anyone have ideas where to look next? What I have done so far: New battery, new pos. cable to battery, new alternator, new voltage regulator, discovered that the ground for the engine had rust under it, so I cleaned that, new spark plugs and cords, new rotor. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Make sure the condensor is in the side of the distributor good and secure and grounded good, also check the condensor wire conection to the coil.

[opelnut10]

That's 2 votes for the condensor in less than a minute (I type slow) if it just cuts off like you have turned off the switch, that is a good place to look.

[tomking]

and if the condensor doesnt fix it then replace the coil.

[EJprovost]

I knew I could count on you Guys for some good answers. Thanks! I'll keep you posted after I check the above.

[hallgeir]

Originally Posted by tomking and if the condensor doesnt fix it then replace the coil.

I agree. Had the same problem twice, in two different cars. Replacing the coil solved the problem in both cases.

[EJprovost]

This is great. The engine only does this cutting out stuff once in a while, and you know every time they put Quazar on that treadmill for the emission test is exactly the time the engine decides to cut out. It brings me to my knees to think I would have to wait till 2013 (lucky thirteen ) to be exempt from this test.

[opelwasp]

Hijack on:

Don't count on it, the way lawmakers are going you'll never get it exempt. Every time we turn around they are trying to "fix" the "global warming problem" with legislation. Like getting rid of the few classic cars left. Too bad you have to get it smogged. Here in CA of all places we at least are exempt 75 and below, for now. They keep trying to "fix" that though.

Hijack off:

Can't you just run a Pertronix? Run the wires in a wire loom to the distributer and hell it'll even look stock. Then you'll fix many problems at one time, and I bet the inspector would never know. Plus if anything it would make emmisions better not worse.

[opelnut10]

Maybe I'm in the wrong part of the US but don't they do a lot of mining in Utah, (lead,coal and several other air polluting products) and they are worried about a 35 year old opel making a mess of the enviroment The best way to get your Opel to meet emmisions is a piece of stainless steel tubing plumbed into the heater box and the other end brazed into the head pipe with a one way check valve in line. That way when they plug in the sniffer turn on the blower motor (how clean do you want it low,medium or high)

[EJprovost]

Yup, Utah has all this mining going on! What a mess it makes the air. Quazar only goes to the car shows maybe 50 miles a year. Doesn't make sense to me either!

[EJprovost]

Can we talk about coils and condensors a minute? Are these parts I can just order from OGTS? Or are they parts that need to be rebuilt? Or are they on that list of hard to find rare parts?

[Gary]

Originally Posted by EJprovost Can we talk about coils and condensors a minute? Are these parts I can just order from OGTS? Or are they parts that need to be rebuilt? Or are they on that list of hard to find rare parts?

Very common, Liz. Bosch coils are readily available. You just need to match the resistance (ohms reading) as the Opel's use a special resistor wire to feed the coil. Condensors are cheap and should be available through any parts store. I'm sure some of the UTOPIA members have extras of both.

BTW, Bugstuff will be having their annual Thanksgiving sale soon. They have really good prices on the Pertronix igniters (replaces points and condensor) and Flamethrower coils.
Gary

[baz]

liz the condensors are the small battery like gizmo's on the side of the dizzy and coil used to stop spark erosion of the points and radio buzz from the coil
they are solid state used on any car with points so napa or any place local will have them and are 2 screw changes one in the base one on the wire (coil ones can be spade connector) ,dead easy to do

a new coil will be the can type not the strange gizmo opel used so get one with a fitting band round it or use a can of your fav beverage with the top removed and fixed to the side with screws to drop it in so it looks beer powered

[EJprovost]

Cool! You Guys are great! Even in a language I can understand. I like the humor! Now I will attempt to do this repair.

[GT Tim]

Liz,That is one reason I put a pertronix in the GT.I also have a new coil you can have.

[EJprovost]

Thanks Tim. I have some stuff for you too, including the right jet numbers for our altitude (for the weber). I did get a pass for Quazar that is good untill 10th of Nov., so I can try to get the Emissions done.

[denny71gt]

Liz, as another Utahan trying to tame a Weber 32/36 carburetor would you pass on the jets you have had success with. My '71 GT came from California and I guessed at (based upon what I have read on this site) what jets would work best here, but don't think I have found the right combination yet.

Denny

[EJprovost]

Before I set these numbers in stone, I would like to get the emission test passed. But so far (special thanks! to Professor Otto!) these jets are as follows: Primary: 135 170 50 Secondary: 140 160 55 And as I said above, I may change these numbers if I have to, but it will be a process of one at a time and consulting with Otto. I will post the final winning numbers when we are done. Special Thanks to Mark too! (he has been here 2 dozen times to help reverse the problems).

[lewdawg]

Yes Liz, I have been to your house on more than one occasion to chase Quazars ghosts. I am sure Liz will replace the coil and as for the condenser, that has already been replaced and it is tight. I will double check it again to be sure. Quazar has been neglected, tune up wise, for a while and I get little bits and pieces of her history from Liz, so I go along and try to right what is wrong. The car was running pretty rough so replaced the plugs. Liz did replace the plug wires with pretty blue ones so I checked her firing order and it was good too. Then I went to the points. OHHH YEA...Needless to say the points were shot so repassed the points and condenser. Yes Tim, I have tried to convince her Pentronix is the way to go. I believe most of her emmisions problems has to do with her AIR FILTER. She runs a K&N filter and when I checked it out...you could see no daylight through it. Since then, she has cleaned it but I suggest replacing it. The carb received a kit and it got the most of the jets OTTO suggested. I believe the primary air jet was bigger than what OTTO suggested so I left that one alone. The reason I believe it is the AIR FILTER for emission is because this car has a history of passing with flying colors. The car is running pretty good now and I think she should pass emmisions. The other thing that is hurting this car is the lack of driving it. Cars don't do well if you let them sit for extended periods of time in my opinion. Liz, I am sure I'll hear from you soon....

[EJprovost]

Nice report Mark. Driving it requires a sticker. I would really like to drive it. oh,,,,, I bought the K&N cleaning kit for the filter. It cleaned it nicely! The Guy at the store looked in the book a good half hour trying to find me a new one. He just couldn't match the size. Will you come help me if I mess up putting in the coil?

[BQS4]

Liz;
You can let the car idle till it warms up, then take it around the block a couple of times to get it up to operating temp. This doesn't require a "sticker" just trying to keep the car operational

[Gary]

Just thought of another potential cause of your type of problem. There is a small braided wire strap that provides a ground path from the movable plate the points sit on to the distributor body. If that breaks off, it can cause the engine to cut out. That will not affect a Pertronix unit though.

[EJprovost]

I did get a temporary pass good untill the 10th of Nov Anyway Mark your right! Just dug out the original notes. Let me state the original recommendations: Primary: 135 160 50 Secondary: 140 160 55. Now for what was in there before we started: Primary: 140 170(that was the altered one) 55 Secondary: 140 160 50 What is in there now, and it works rough. Primary 135 170 50 Secondary: 140 160 55 After I set the electric choke (with a little coaching) I will start the engine again so we can see where to go from here. So hopefully all will go smooth and I won't be forced to park all winter again. Last winter was when all the electrical was taken apart, it took months to put back together. I can only get one more pass to try and get an emission test. Hopefully we can get the right numbers set in stone for everyone.....we move around here from 4000 feet to 7000 feet.

[EJprovost]

Gary: I'm headed out to the garage right now to check this. Is this small braided cord on the outside of the distributor? or on the inside?