CUTTING OUT

I have a 1988 MG Montego turbo that is fitted with the SU HIF 44e carburettor (variable choke) with electronic mixture control. It will not run under normal driving conditions and when I try to accelerate too hard it will cut out. It has no ‘get-up and go’ and the engine hunts when ticking over.

I suspect that the problem may be fuel supply or ECU, another possibility is that the ignition coil could be breaking down. The car will rev to around 1500rpm before it cuts as though the fuel has run out. At one point the engine would not start, so I removed the plugs only to find that one was soaking wet with unburnt fuel.

I tested for a spark, which there was, but the engine still wouldn’t fire up. After leaving for a while the engine did then start. I cannot decide what the problem may be and so have decided to ask for your assistance in the matter. Simon Hunt The problem is very likely going to be associated with the stepper motor on the carburettor. The stepper motor is controlled by the ECU from the information given to it from the engines sensors.

The first and most likely component to check is the engine coolant sensor. This may be giving the ECU incorrect information about the temperature of the engine and as such the mixture is wrong for the given situation. Given the age of the vehicle, it is also very likely that the float valve, float or one of the other components of the carburettor are causing the problem. Parts or a rebuild service are available from www.gowerandlee.co.uk and this may be a good option.