Engine problems

The engine for some reason wouldn't now start. It was starting well a few weeks ago. Using the (on the road) how to make it start fault finder routine (which I summarised in a word document) I first checked to see if there is a spark at the spark plugs –answer no. This indicates there is a fault with the ignition system, as opposed to the fuel system.

Did the following:

1.    Cleaned the spark plugs. They were quite dirty and corroded on the outside (used the wire-brush buffer). Noticed that the plug from cylinder 6 is very oily –I suspect number 6 may be the cause of the smoke problem, certainly high on the suspect list.

2.    Checked the points. Look OK. I adjusted the gap and go Carol to turn the engine.  I couldn’t see anything wrong.

3.    Checked the distributer cap and rotor –fine.

4.   Remove all the spark plug leads and distributor cap and took to the kitchen table for a thorough inspection. Found one potential issue. The contacts on the inside of the distributer cap where the spark plug lead plug in were quite corroded. Cleaned them up with screwdriver, emery paper, cotton buds etc. until the contacts were shiny.

5.    Checked the electrodes in the distributor cap which looked fine.

6.    Put it all back together. I had problems starting. Battery seemed low. It then didn’t turn at all. The only cause I could think of (i.e. since playing with the HT leads) was the battery earth strap attaching to the head. So I undid the bolt again and put the washer under the earth strap and then re-attached and fastened tighter. Hooked up the jumper leads to the falcon and away the old girl went again. So the conclusion to the overall problem was that the HT lead connections in the distributer cap were so corroded that it failed to spark altogether. There was a similar issue with the HT lead to the coil which potentially was the main cause.  Maybe I should get a new distributor cap which will fully solve the problem.

7.    Although the engine now runs it runs rough. A few observations are:

a.      Black liquid initially came out of the exhaust. Clue maybe? Is oil somehow getting into the exhaust system and heating up and generating smoke?

b.      Oil is seeping down the block from the head. Is there a problem with the head gasket?

c.       The engine fumes smelt very rich. The mixture adjustment screw on the carburettor does not seem the change the way the engine runs. Does the carburettor need overhauling?

d.      I disconnected the spark plug lead one at a time however this didn’t seem to make much difference to how much blue smoke came out. This indicates it is more than one cylinder at fault.

Getting the engine sorted is number one priority so I need to undergo a number of tests to see if I can figure out the problem. Maybe it will be easiest to just remove the head.