SEV no spark at points

[Rene LHD]

Good afternoon.
Update on RENE. Checked the coil and the reading was around 3 to 4 ohms, so seems to be ok....
Started the car, ( fired first time!!) Let it warm up before taking out for a roadtest. Ran really well and no issues. So I still don't know what I have done to fix it?? Due to revisit next week, so will update then.

 

[Rene LHD]

Good afternoon, I have an update on Rene.
He has been starting fine since last report, however, at last visit I had it running whilst checking tyres etc, just pulled out onto road and it cut out and would not restart. We managed push it back to the workshop to check it over. The coolant bottle was empty, which surprised me as it was fine 15 mins earlier. Also the was a noise from the engine which was not there before. I checked for head gasket failure, but there is no water in oil and coolant level holding up after refill . I have not done compression test yet, next on list to do...Once ot cooled down it would start and tick over, but try to take revs up it would cut out, it would restart again but cutting out on revving. I have tried to upload a video, but file too large. Will get a shorter one soon.
Any ideas will be appreciated. RENE

 

[jcarruthers2]

Hi Rene

I would start off by bleeding the cooling system. If the car has been standing for a while, there is the possibility of an airlock. The fact that you refilled the bottle and there has been no subsequent loss of coolant is a good sign. In addition, the fact that there is no water in the oil also bodes well. It could be the cutting out is a separate carburation or ignition issue. Bleed the cooling system to ensure there are no airlocks and take it from there.

 

[André4Renaults]

Good afternoon, I have an update on Rene.
He has been starting fine since last report, however, at last visit I had it running whilst checking tyres etc, just pulled out onto road and it cut out and would not restart.

I won't comment on the disappearing coolant, which, as has been said, is weird. That aside, did you replace the condenser (capacitor) when you were working on the car? I ask, as the symptoms you describe are classic condenser failure ones. The dying condenser can handle the engine working at low revs but as these increase the dying condenser is unable to hold sufficient charge to deliver the spark to the plugs and so they don't spark properly and the car stops. When the dying condenser cools down it regains a little capacity and so the car will start again. Of course this diagnosis is without seeing the car, but condensers are often overlooked when one overhauls the ignition system.

 

[Rene LHD]

Good evening all. Update on Rene.
Carried out compression test and the results are as follows. Cyl 1 125ps 2 120 3 120 and 4 115.
Checked the carburettor, basics only... but the gasket has split, does any member know where I can obtain a gasket or kit that is uk based ?
Yes , the condenser was replaced previously and seems to working OK, but I am awaiting a replacement so I can try it as recommended above. The car will still not pick up revs from tickover....
Regards RENE

 

[Andy McGhee]

Good evening all. Update on Rene.
Carried out compression test and the results are as follows. Cyl 1 125ps 2 120 3 120 and 4 115.
Checked the carburettor, basics only... but the gasket has split, does any member know where I can obtain a gasket or kit that is uk based ?
Yes , the condenser was replaced previously and seems to working OK, but I am awaiting a replacement so I can try it as recommended above. The car will still not pick up revs from tickover....
Regards RENE

View attachment 34503 View attachment 34504

I did a quick search and found this:

ZENITH-PIERBURG 28 IF CARBURETTOR GASKET / SERVICE KIT | RENAULT 4 - Classic Carbs UK

Zenith-Pierburg 28IF carburettor Service kit

classiccarbs.co.uk

If you're going to give the carburettor a thorough clean, it'd be worth replacing the needle valve anyway.

The last post on the first page of this thread might be useful:

Ronnie the Renault and the tick over blues.

Well went to collect Ronnie car at my pals place in Brive, to drive it back to mine. Turned the key and heard that classic tell tale sign......nothing! So €97 later I had a new battery in place and off it went. Drove it home, but found that it would not hold tick over. Adjusted the throttle...

www.renault4.co.uk

The arrowed tube often gets blocked (forgive me for copying your photo!)