1.0 fiesta running problems doing my head in!!!

[pccapri]

hi all, ive finally convinced the other half to get a mk1 fiesta. Just been through an MOT and now it wont run right. Hopefully some of you may no what im not doing right.

It sits on idle fine and will rev when idling fine.

however the second you pull away it cuts out if your not overrevving it, and then driving around it just doesnt want to pull, and ive noticed that if you put your foot flat down then lift off slightly it sometimes goes like stink. However when pulling away at junctions it just doesnt do anything it almost just cruises along, then either cuts out if you change up itll bunny hop for a bit and then finally go. My thoughts are its a fuelling problem but not sure where to start. Starting to do my head in!

[banarama]

just go through the normal things.check timing,points gap/plug gaps.id try and ajust the mixture screw on the carb 1st.it might be running to weak,and need riching up.then try it also check the vacum pipes are on ,and not leaking.

[pccapri]

cheers

Ive tried a few more things now. Ive come to the conclusion that there must be something wrong with the number 4 cylinder somewhere.

I have the timing order at 1243. When I take off the number four lead nothing happens, but when I take off either 1,2 or 3 the engine note changes and eventually cuts out. I then changed leads and plugs over to see if it was them and still only number 4.

I then changed the timing over to 1432, it was ticking over roughly, then did the above procedure again. Still only number 4 that didnt make a difference. Ive played with the air/fuel mixture screw and thats not made a difference. Ive now run out of ideas. Can someone help!!

[Andy44Boz]

I'd go back to the origional firing order to start. If it's better by backing off then puting your foot down again,sounds like a fuel blockage in the main jet or accelerator pump, Not sure how no4 non responsive though, swap a plug lead and then a plug one at a time

[pccapri]

ive checked the carb jets there all clear, the carb i have noticed is leaking fuel on to the inlet manifold from somewhere so need to check that. But I cant see how that will only affect the no4 cylinder only. Ive changed all the leads and plugs now. still no4 non responsive. There is a good spark coming from the lead to the plug so im sure that must rule out any electrical problem.

Fuel is getting through to the plug as it is sooting up the same as all the other plugs.

I have noticed that it is worse when on full throttle and then when you let off it accelerates quite hard then goes worse again up through the gears. As there is no oil on the plugs the piston ring seals cant be gone, could it be as simple as the head gasket, as im not sure how long its been on there and by the state of the other gaskets probably could do with being changed?

[oliwally]

Have you checked valve clearances?

Have you checked cap and rotor arm?

What carb do you have?

Have you done a compression test?

Have you checked timing?

Have you changed points and condenser?

[pccapri]

Have you checked valve clearances? Nope. Waiting for my Haynes to arrival for gaps

Have you checked cap and rotor arm? Yeah been replaced and still working

What carb do you have? It appears to be standard one from ford. Is there a weber replacement

Have you done a compression test? Not yet

Have you checked timing? NOt yet

Have you changed points and condenser? Yeah changed all that

[oliwally]

Think gaps are 0.2 inlet and 0.3 exhaust. Think that's 8 & 12 in old money.

The old vv carb is useless and when worn can cause no end of problems.

I seem to remember a kit that lifted carb up higher as fuel got too hot and vaporised.

Do you have a ballast resistor,had one years ago that would start to get hot and break down.