Jump to content
  • When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Spitting, Sputtering And Low On Power


darrinos

Recommended Posts

Car ran really well previously but suddenly it doesn't want to run much at all, and will not idle or keep running in mid range. Backfiring on deceleration. Weber 32/36. Any clues? New fuel pump recently. carb is 1yr old.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Based just on the limited information in you post I would suggest you inadvertently bumped the distributor, affecting the ignition timing.  A vacuum leak is plausible, but it would likely cause an increase in engine speed rather than sputtering.  Crossed ignition leads, unrelated to any fuel pump replacement, is also symptomatic of sputtering and a definite power producing downer.  Fuel pump itself may be defective and/or you may have dislodged some gunk and forwarded it to the carburetor's idle jet.  Ohio Mike likes to keep those idle jets clean.  Gumout is not just for XMAS.

 

Retrace your steps.  Should be something obvious.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank for the tips guys. I apologize for the limited info. I was in a seminar and couldn't go into much detail. The car is a couple hundred miles from me and my son who's learning to work on cars (through the lovely little 2002) is having some problems with it. It's never done this before and kind of surprised me with it's recalcitrance. I'll have him try those things. I've had a terrible time with fuel pumps so that's why I mentioned that. While on the subject of fuel, where can a guy buy that rubber boot between the fender and the fuel tank? Mine is rotten and I worry that is sometimes a part of the reason I seem to have trouble with dirty fuel. (Small black pieces of something usually in the bowl.)

 

Thank you, gentlemen!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The 32/36 carb has two idle jets try unscrewing both of them and cleaning them with carb cleaner, if they are dirty your car won't idle and backfire.

HTH

71 BMW 2002 "Von Eiff" gone baby gone

73 BMW 2002 " Mingus "

04 BMW X5

75 Triumph Tr6

00 CLK 430 Conv

Honda Elite Scooter

Vespa Ciao

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 While on the subject of fuel, where can a guy buy that rubber boot between the fender and the fuel tank? Mine is rotten and I worry that is sometimes a part of the reason I seem to have trouble with dirty fuel. (Small black pieces of something usually in the bowl.)

 

 

 

RealOEM.com will list most of your parts. If it has a price by it, it is usually available from BMW.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=2213&mospid=47140&btnr=16_0384&hg=16&fg=05

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I went through something similar on a 71 chevy truck. The symptoms were really weird. If the truck was in park it would run perfectly. In Park,  I could also rev it up as much as i wanted and it sounded great. No problems. BUT as soon as it was in gear and i attempted to hit the gas to drive it would sputter and pop and was completely undriveable. The most I could do was idle/drive it back to where i wanted to park.  I started with vacuum leaks, and fixed those. Next was re-tuning the Carb and checking fuel filters and pressure. I used a vacuum Gage to diagnose and fix everything i could find. Btw everyone should have a vacuum gage, its crazy how many problems can be diagnosed using one.   I was literally running out of options and the symptoms prevailed.  It just wouldnt run under load so to speak. 

 Next  I was checking the spark plug wires.  I did this by misting the wires with water and then running a grounded screwdriver along the wires (but not touching them) with all the lights out looking for jumping sparks. There was some faint jumping so I replaced the wires.   Next was checking the spark at the end of each wire lead.  There was spark and almost every wire's spark was alternating between blue and yellowish  so there was a spark but I was expecting a strong blue spark each time.  In came a new coil and i went to check the spark again. This time it was still looking exactly the same as before BUT it was now making an very distinct "Snap-Snap-Snap" sound each time it fired.  It turns out that my coil was taking a crap. As soon as i replaced it all was great again.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As my late and much-missed father-in-law used to say, "Mike, 90% of your carburetor problems are in your ignition.  Keep your cotton-pickin' hands off the carburetor until you're sure everything in the ignition is up to snuff."  And he was almost always right.  He started mechanicking on Model T's back in the 20s.

 

That being said, those itty-bitty idle jets can get crud in 'em very easily, and since they feed gas up to about 2500 rpm (when the main jets take over), they can cause all sorts of running problems if dirty.

 

cheers

mike

'69 Nevada sunroof-Wolfgang-bought new
'73 Sahara sunroof-Ludwig-since '78
'91 Brillantrot 318is sunroof-Georg Friederich 
Fiat Topolini (Benito & Luigi), Renault 4CVs (Anatole, Lucky Pierre, Brigette) & Kermit, the Bugeye Sprite

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • BMW Neue Klasse - a birth of a Sports Sedan

    BMW Neue Klasse - a birth of a Sports Sedan

    Unveiling of the Neue Klasse Unveiled in 1961, BMW 1500 sedan was a revolutionary concept at the outset of the '60s. No tail fins or chrome fountains. Instead, what you got was understated and elegant, in a modern sense, exciting to drive as nearly any sports car, and yet still comfortable for four.   The elegant little sedan was an instant sensation. In the 1500, BMW not only found the long-term solution to its dire business straits but, more importantly, created an entirely new
    History of the BMW 2002 and the 02 Series

    History of the BMW 2002 and the 02 Series

    In 1966, BMW was practically unknown in the US unless you were a touring motorcycle enthusiast or had seen an Isetta given away on a quiz show.  BMW’s sales in the US that year were just 1253 cars.  Then BMW 1600-2 came to America’s shores, tripling US sales to 4564 the following year, boosted by favorable articles in the Buff Books. Car and Driver called it “the best $2500 sedan anywhere.”  Road & Track’s road test was equally enthusiastic.  Then, BMW took a cue from American manufacturers,
    The BMW 2002 Production Run

    The BMW 2002 Production Run

    BMW 02 series are like the original Volkswagen Beetles in one way (besides both being German classic cars)—throughout their long production, they all essentially look alike—at least to the uninitiated:  small, boxy, rear-wheel drive, two-door sedan.  Aficionados know better.   Not only were there three other body styles—none, unfortunately, exported to the US—but there were some significant visual and mechanical changes over their eleven-year production run.   I’ve extracted t
  • Upcoming Events

  • Supporting Vendors

×
×
  • Create New...