Finally found time to bring the Scim out of hibernation. Charged up the battery and fired him up. It starts but the moment it comes off the fast idle it dies. Spark is good, and I can't find any air leaks. Car was running well when I garaged him in December.
My suspicion is that the fuel tank problems I had last year have left some crud in the fuel system. I'm not sure why this is happening now but could blocked jets give these symptoms?
Post-lay-up blues
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If it’s okay on fast idle (which brings the main jets into operation), the first suspect has to be the idle circuit - unscrew the idle jets and check the o-rings and maybe blow some air through? Next would be to take the top off the carb and check the float bowl for crud - are the rubber fuel pipes ethanol proof?
Jim King
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SECURE DRY STORAGE FOR YOUR SCIMITAR
Current: SE5 (8Ball), TI SS1 (snotty), 1600 SS1 (G97), 1600 SS1 (C686CCR), 2.5TD SE5a (diesel 5a), 6 x random other SS1s.
Previous: SE5, 3 x SE5a, 2 x SE6a, 3 x SE6b, GTC, 2.9i GTC, 3 x 1600 SS1, 1300 SS1, Mk1 Ti Sabre, Mk1.5 CVH Sabre
Chief mechanic for: 1400 K series SS1 (Megan3), 1400 CVH EFi SS1 (Grawpy), 1300 SS1 (Number One) & Sarah's coupe.
CURE THE FAULT - NOT THE SYMPTOMS
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Post-lay-up blues
Thanks Jim. I owe you one, or ten - not sure of the current tally. Cleaning out the idle jets and blowing some air into their recesses has got my Scim running. A bit lumpy but I'll go over the jets and fuel filters again soon to be sure.
Last edited by Crowther on Tue Apr 30, 2019 3:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
New and proud owner of "Scimba" ('72 SE5a).
Learning slowly and driving quickly...
Learning slowly and driving quickly...
- scimjim
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Great stuff 

Jim King
SECURE DRY STORAGE FOR YOUR SCIMITAR
Current: SE5 (8Ball), TI SS1 (snotty), 1600 SS1 (G97), 1600 SS1 (C686CCR), 2.5TD SE5a (diesel 5a), 6 x random other SS1s.
Previous: SE5, 3 x SE5a, 2 x SE6a, 3 x SE6b, GTC, 2.9i GTC, 3 x 1600 SS1, 1300 SS1, Mk1 Ti Sabre, Mk1.5 CVH Sabre
Chief mechanic for: 1400 K series SS1 (Megan3), 1400 CVH EFi SS1 (Grawpy), 1300 SS1 (Number One) & Sarah's coupe.
CURE THE FAULT - NOT THE SYMPTOMS
SECURE DRY STORAGE FOR YOUR SCIMITAR
Current: SE5 (8Ball), TI SS1 (snotty), 1600 SS1 (G97), 1600 SS1 (C686CCR), 2.5TD SE5a (diesel 5a), 6 x random other SS1s.
Previous: SE5, 3 x SE5a, 2 x SE6a, 3 x SE6b, GTC, 2.9i GTC, 3 x 1600 SS1, 1300 SS1, Mk1 Ti Sabre, Mk1.5 CVH Sabre
Chief mechanic for: 1400 K series SS1 (Megan3), 1400 CVH EFi SS1 (Grawpy), 1300 SS1 (Number One) & Sarah's coupe.
CURE THE FAULT - NOT THE SYMPTOMS
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Post-lay-up blues
Scim has deteriorated a bit since. I have cleaned out the idle jets a few times. Are they interchangeable? I'm concerned I might have swapped the sides by mistake...
New and proud owner of "Scimba" ('72 SE5a).
Learning slowly and driving quickly...
Learning slowly and driving quickly...
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Post-lay-up blues
Ignore that - they most definitely are not!
I've cleaned the idle jets and blown out the passages again (just with a can of compressed air) and all is well again.
I've cleaned the idle jets and blown out the passages again (just with a can of compressed air) and all is well again.
New and proud owner of "Scimba" ('72 SE5a).
Learning slowly and driving quickly...
Learning slowly and driving quickly...