Engine cuts in and out over 3000rpm

[jonnyk5614]

OK, so if the car is moving and you take her past about 3000rpm, she starts spluttering and jolting. It sounds like the engine is actually cutting out. The tachometer goes nuts, bouncing around all over the place. Would I be right in suspecting a distributor problem?
I may be wrong, but the warmer the day the worse it appears to be.

CHeers

[nang]

In my experience it sounds like the coil is breaking down.  Can you lay your hands on another to substitute and see if it solves the problem ?
Tony.

[jonnyk5614]

Was running like a pig (sounded like 3 or 4 cylinders) so replaced the plugs. Ran beautifully!
Next day, pig again....
next day, beautiful.
Number 4 plug came out petrol soaked when I changed them...

[piman]

Hello Jonny,

points or one of those other things? If the former, check those first and while your at it, carefully check the rotor arm and distributor cap.

Alec

[Lord Sorbington]

Agree, distributor cap and rotor arm for starters.

[jonnyk5614]

Yeah, was next on my list.
Have been rather focussing on filling the occasional hole!

[jonnyk5614]

It is weird that it is only an issue when I have been in queueing traffic. If I get a clear run, she is all goods.

[TR20tc]

had the same problem some years ago,all you need is cleaning the carburators

[jonnyk5614]

By clean, are we talking remove, spray carb cleaner and put back on or are we talking remove, strip down, rebuild?

[Lord Sorbington]

Could be the float levels on the carbs being too high causing slight flooding, maybe the needle valves aren't seating properly or are worn, not shutting off fuel into the carbs when they should.

[TRPi]

ignition condensator may start show failing in very odd ways...