Mobile auto electrician in Norfolk

[chad]

A bit of a long shot needless to say but does anyone know of a good one?

I've got most of the electrics sorted on my MGB but am stumped by the final few bits.

[Robo]

I can't recommend anyone I'm afraid but I do follow a company on facebook who do post info about some of the wiring work they carry out on classics as well as security system installs etc. When I've spoken to them they said they had an agent that covered my area (midlands) so might be worth giving them a call maybe?

The company is called www.Autosparx.co.uk

[chad]

Thanks

[Zed]

I would but it's too far. I quite like vehicle electrics.

[chad]

Went with someone well recommended by the local VW group.

The final few electrical bits are now sorted but it now doesn't run.

It always ran fine before he did the electrics and then it decided just to run on 3 cylinders - I didn't know this until after he'd gone.

He's just been back to 'fix' it but unable to and now won't it start at all - he ran it until it ran out of petrol and adding a gallon has no effect - I think that the lines are blocked with 40+ years of crud as there's no petrol at the filter.

So the initial plan is to get petrol to the carbs:

1/ to get another couple of cans of petrol to make sure there's enough to pump - the pump is making the same noise as it normally does after adding the gallon.

2/ check that fuel is reaching the filter - which doesn't seem to be blocked

3/ replace the filter as it's an old one anyway

4/ ? depending on what happens in 1-3

Does this make sense? I'm pretty pissed off at the moment so may not be being logical

It didn't help when he mentioned that he'd had it running on the choke for about an hour during his first visit

[Zed]

Pope gregory on here is good with the proper running, or not, of engines. He's in your vague area.

[chad]

Thanks - I'm going to try and get petrol to it first and then go from there before I get anyone else involved - I think he's about 40 miles or so away if I remember correctly. I know that he fixed the Wombatmobile

I'm going to try and learn a bit more as a result of this as my knowledge is pretty negligable.

[Zed]

This is why I wouldn't let anyone work on my van unless I was there throughout and understanding exactly what was being done.
My last couple of visits to rolling roads confirmed that the world is full of blaggers. Both claimed to be air-cooled and carburettor savvy. Neither understood vacuum advance, one set my timing too advanced then when it knocked under load suggested a bigger jet, both had to lent a timing gun as theirs didn't work, one didn't understand the type-4 timing scale, one couldn't grasp how to use a timing gun without an advance dial, one failed to notice a blocked idle jet.

Something I might enjoy would be having a rolling road, just open as and when and for air cooled vw only. I'll have to think about that.

[chad]

Well I've got petrol to the carbs but it won't fire.

About 30 years ago I had an inhibitor switch fitted under the dash and just remembered he'd been messing around under there.

I think he's done something to it - it won't fire in either of the switch positions but it's too much of a coincidence.

I'll try tomorrow when it's light

[chad]

F*** it - I'm going out for a few beers - my head is done in.

I just asked him about the inhibitor switch and he knew nothing about it but did add, in passing, that the engine stopped when he removed the distributor cap and was cleaning the contacts - he assumed that it had run out of petrol! I knew that it was down to about a gallon so just accepted it.

I'm going to adopt your approach now Zed - I'm sick of paying out money to people bluffing their way through.

[Zed]

Dec 21, 2017 17:08:36 GMT chad said:

F*** it - I'm going out for a few beers - my head is done in.

I just asked him about the inhibitor switch and he knew nothing about it but did add, in passing, that the engine stopped when he removed the distributor cap and was cleaning the contacts - he assumed that it had run out of petrol! I knew that it was down to about a gallon so just accepted it.

I'm going to adopt your approach now Zed - I'm sick of paying out money to people bluffing their way through.

I like to think I'm intelligent enough to blunder about myself and save the fees. Then at least I have an idea what to do, it's often something I've done myself but at least I start off knowing what I've messed with, might not have reconnected or whatever. Like everything in life it's best to happily take responsibility, it's less aggregating in the long run. I'd know sod all about engines if I hadn't suspected the so-called professionals often didn't either. Boils my piss, but there are also really great mechanics and garages about, it's just that the only way to find out is give them a go. In a country of what, 70 million potential customers it's possible to run a viable business while fucking up every job, there's always fresh customers.

[popegregoryxi]

Dec 21, 2017 17:08:36 GMT chad said:

F*** it - I'm going out for a few beers - my head is done in.

I just asked him about the inhibitor switch and he knew nothing about it but did add, in passing, that the engine stopped when he removed the distributor cap and was cleaning the contacts - he assumed that it had run out of petrol! I knew that it was down to about a gallon so just accepted it.

I'm going to adopt your approach now Zed - I'm sick of paying out money to people bluffing their way through.

I would be checking the dissy cap then... maybe he knocked the carbony sticky outy bit out of the centre when he was fucking about... also checked the king lead is pushed in properly. 

[popegregoryxi]

Dec 21, 2017 17:28:44 GMT Zed said:

Dec 21, 2017 17:08:36 GMT chad said:

F*** it - I'm going out for a few beers - my head is done in.

I just asked him about the inhibitor switch and he knew nothing about it but did add, in passing, that the engine stopped when he removed the distributor cap and was cleaning the contacts - he assumed that it had run out of petrol! I knew that it was down to about a gallon so just accepted it.

I'm going to adopt your approach now Zed - I'm sick of paying out money to people bluffing their way through.

 In a country of what, 70 million potential customers it's possible to run a viable business while fucking up every job, there's always fresh customers.

Ooops, looks like Zed has sussed my business model..

[chad]

Thanks for the help - I'll check it when it gets light

[chad]

Well I checked the bits you suggested and got nowhere so I got the local village garage to finally come out after 4 weeks and stayed with them to watch, as you said Zed.

It looks like his idea of running it is mainly to have the ignition on for hours.
The points and condenser were f*****, the plugs soaking wet and the sump is full of petrol, as the electric pump runs all the time the ignition is on, and the coil is now wired through the washer pump so if that blows the fuse the engine stops.

On the plus side the coil seems OK and the hazard flashers work which is the thing that was stumping me and the reason he got involved.