912 frustration

[wilkie]

Advice please. I have a 1968 912 which I love, I do some maintenance myself eg brake pads, oil change, air filters, all the easy stuff. I don't feel confident enough to do things like valves, timing etc. Anyway, car was driving beautifully, starting good, pulling well, idling smoothly. Having done about 3000 miles since having some work done on the engine, like the responsible owner I am I booked it in to a specialist in essex for a tune up, valve clearances, timing, plugs and balancing carbs. After having this done I now have to warm it up after starting before it will pull with out juddering, it pops and bangs from the carbs and exhaust when hot and cold. Not sure any more if people are looking at me because they like the car or because I sound like chitty chitty bang bang. It also seems to have a bit of a flat spot when I pull away, almost like I have to give it excesive rev's for it not to hesitate. Is there any thing I can or should I just learn that 'if it aint broke don't fix it'.
Very frustrating.

[louis356]

Is the popping on deceleration? could be a leaky 'zorst

If it ain't broke certainly works but if it has had some major work on the engine you need to get it checked in case anything has become 'loose' in the first 3000 miles while everything beds in. so you had no choice really

Mine has a leaky 'zorst and pops when cold/warm but only then after giving it some stick to annoy the street as I come home.

Hope it sorts it's self out

[The G man]

Have you told the garage of the problem?

Sometimes things go wrong that are coincidental to the work that has been carried out.
I used to run a small garage up here and now and again for what ever reason you might get a job that need further investigation, that was ok when it left the workshop.
The classic problems with 912 are carbs leaking or not responding how they should.
The other problem I have had in the past is the distributor clamp is slightly twisted and when you thought you had set the ignition timing, the distributor could actually still move...a few miles and the timing is out.

what about your distributor? Is it the right one?
A VW type distributor won't advance enough.
Have they set it up at maximin advance and so it doesn't feel right at low revs?

Don't forget that a 912 will always pop and bang a bit when cold if set up correctly !!!
This is due to the carbs being cold and the fuel not vapourizing until it is hot.
What happens when it is hot?

Fuel is another issue.
It is possible to get a dodgy tank full.
Modern fuel is full of gases that can escape leaving you with an oil based mess that is not very explosive. I think that fuel has got a very short shelf life now.

Anyway best of luck
But being of the motor trade myself, my advise is to give the garage a ring who did the work.

[wilkie]

One of the vacuum pipes has dislodged. Put it back on and all seems to be OK.