Dollywobbler's Dreadful Dyane - Back on the road

[dollywobbler]

I need to get to the bottom of the ignition system. There's a Durite box on the bulkhead, but I've no idea what it does. The consenser is still fitted and is wired up. No idea whether it's any cop but I think I spotted a spare somewhere in the garage the other day. Mind you, when condensers fail, I've previously found that the engine will barely run at all. Once it's through the low-speed chug, it's pulling like a trooper (not an Isuzu, actual power).

[dollywobbler]

If you've rescued a classic car that's had a lengthy lay up, the best thing to do is take it greenlaning.

 

We were Vulcan spotting, but sadly ballsed up our timing. We hadn't realised it was running late so missed it. Bother.

 

Also, there was a minor issue.

 

That's the fuel line! No idea when it got dislodged, but it got us several miles back home regardless. What an amazing car. I knew it was a bit loose at the back, but clearly all the fasteners have failed. I've got a split in the rubber near the front, so some major fuel line surgery is needed. I'll take the opportunity to fit an inline filter, but I first need some new fuel line. There's a chance the hose on top of the fuel tank has perished too.

[dollywobbler]

Here's another shot from today - acting support vehicle to a Disco.

 

If one more 'joker' on social media makes a gag about not being able to see this car, I may just explode. Or paint the fuggin' thing bright pink.

[junkyarddog]

What car?

[dollywobbler]

Today was all about fuel line replacement and refitment. New cable ties to hold the pipe to the chassis, new rubber pipe and an inline filter up front. I even pulled the carburettor apart again, cleaned out a jet I'd missed, went to town clearing out any crud and even scraped some nasty gunk from the air inlet. 

 

Naturally, it still won't sodding idle properly. Ugh.

[richardmorris]

Could it be an air leak to the carb. Gasket area?

[chaseracer]

^ Good point.  Is the block thingy under the carb OK?

[dollywobbler]

Yeah, all seems fine. I've tweaked the mixture and she now seems exceedingly happy. Still not 100% sure that I've not cured a symptom rather than a cause, but it'll do for now. I am going to have to replace the CV joints soon though. Not sure that's going to happen before next week so I'll just have to try and avoid bends on the way to Chumleigh. Er...

[dollywobbler]

In fact, she's running so well that I thought it was about time she was introduced to my long termer...

[richardmorris]

Looks like love at first sight!

[plasticvandan]

Haha I've got your wheels

[KruJoe]

Sad Elly looks sad.

[dollywobbler]

Sad Elly looks sad.

 

She does. Poor Elly. I've pinched her heater hoses now. Shock absorbers likely to be nabbed this week...

[anonymous user]

Looks like it just sneezed its face off.

I was thinking more that it had spat its dentures out

[beko1987]

So by the time you get elly ready to be back on the road youll have to buy all these bjts again as theyll be on the dyane?

[dollywobbler]

Yes. I can see that happening. Mind you, there's nothing I've taken that has been much cop, so better to replace with new for her rebirth anyway.

[phil_lihp]

Here's another shot from today - acting support vehicle to a Disco.

 

If one more 'joker' on social media makes a gag about not being able to see this car, I may just explode. Or paint the fuggin' thing bright pink.

 

Sorry. 

[Felly Magic]

This Dyanne has pure comedy value Mr Wobbler of Dollys. Beats the usual flower power eco tat stickers that many once sported, including a friends mum's car

[dollywobbler]

This Dyanne has pure comedy value Mr Wobbler of Dollys. Beats the usual flower power eco tat stickers that many once sported, including a friends mum's car

I may disappoint you then. There is a hippy paint scheme in mind...

[beko1987]

Yes. I can see that happening. Mind you, there's nothing I've taken that has been much cop, so better to replace with new for her rebirth anyway.

You could have a trail run of refurbing ellies bits to go on the dyane, then when you buy new second hand bits for ellie youll know what your doing then. "ooh, better buy 2 of these seal rebuild kits etc"

[dollywobbler]

I'm only pinching stuff so far which needs replacement anyway. Rotten wheels, tired dampers (ie not as tired as the Dyane ones) and flaky cardboard hoses. Nothing that can actually be refurbished - once the seam starts lifting on the inside of the wheels, they're scrap.

[Felly Magic]

I may disappoint you then. There is a hippy paint scheme in mind...

 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

[dollywobbler]

I went narrow laning, then greenlaning again. Roof back this time. Twice, the coil packed up - it seems my spare coil is no better than the one that was fitted to it originally. I see more 2CV part theft ahead...

 

The right-hand front indicator also packed up. The whole unit needs replacing really. They're just shit. Yet Alpine used them on the A110, and Renault on some of the 5 Maxi Turbos.

[richardmorris]

Could your sick coil be causing the poor running? I had one once that was fine under load but wouldn't idle at all. Swapping the coil cured it.

[mouseflakes]

Random ignition issues - could it be as simple as the condenser?

[dollywobbler]

I'd already swapped coils pretty early on in that game. Both work fine unless they get hot. I've got a Harley one somewhere, but I'm not sure I can be bothered with the rigmarole to fit it. I prefer original. So, I'll have to pinch the one from the 2CV. 

[dollywobbler]

Random ignition issues - could it be as simple as the condenser?

 

Condenser usually causes poor running at all engine speeds, but especially under load. Not an issue here. Got very used to what a tired condenser felt like on the Mini! Incredibly, I've only had one condenser ever fail on a 2CV - my first. Completely undrivable. 

[mouseflakes]

Years ago a friend was having random poor running issues on a mk1 Fester (drive-able but not great). I said 'condenser' because it was a word I knew. They fitted a new one and the problem vanished. My 'word I know' tactic probably not applicable in many (any?) other scenarios then.    I tried (not very hard).

[richardmorris]

Since you've tried all electrical avenues, then that suggests fuel. Blocked jets ( very likely if it's been sitting for years), corroded pipes, air leak- does the dyane have that stupid 6inch section of metal pipe in the n/s wheelarch area joining the front to back pipe to the fuel pump Pipe?

 

I have seen a fuel pipe perished on the top of the fuel sender on the tank too- this was drawing in air to the fuel

Pipe.

[richardmorris]

On the yellow coil, I've got one at the moment as I was fed up with my sister complaining that it wouldn't start. I'm happy with it, but not sure it makes much of a difference compared to a good quality black one. I've also got lumenition which does make a difference- turn key, starter goes click gr and the car starts in under a second.