Walter started stalling on idle this morning. The only way I can keep him from stalling is to rev really heavily. When I took off the engine inspection cover and tried to start him, I heard a really loud hissing sound. In fact, now that I know it's there I can hear it most of the time when driving (except when revving REALLY loudly)

The stalling is pretty severe, ie won't go longer than a second without stalling.

Nothing has been changed (like timing, carbs) and it only happened really suddenly today. The hissing sounds like a huge airleak, but I don't really know what to look at. I've checked the hoses are all plugged in, and the carb hasn't loosened off on the manifold. Unfortunately, I don't have a helper around to turn him over while I look and listen, and there's no way of getting to the back of the car before he stalls.

I'm stumped, but I'm probably just overlooking something bleedingly obvious.
:cry
Ideas?

Hmmm .... you need help

DONT rev him any more.

What sive motor do you have???
Is it a 1600 or a Type 4 1700, 1800 2000???

Is it a sucking noise or a expelling noise.

If it is sucking - it could be carb related - but strange.

I am hedgeing here cause.....sorry..... it sounds like a leaking cylinder.
Pulled stud or something??

Are you able to pull all your spark plugs.
If one is really different in colour that is your problem cylinder

I really wouldnt drive it any more

Thanks. I won't be driving him until fixed, I just had to make it to a seminar at uni, so was desperate.

He's an 1800. Don't know if it's a sucking or expelling noise, cause I can't get up close. But I will check the spark plugs. God, I hope it's not a cylinder!

pretty sure a central idling system connection has come off, did you check that the rubber right angle tube connectors that are on the outboard side of each inlet manifold just above where they bolt into the heads are connected properly? if so follow those tubes back to left hand carbie, to see all connected tight

sorry, that is the vacuum for brakes, I ment the hose connectors just under where carbie bolts to manifolds, inboard,
TOOOOOOO tired, I go home now & continue putting my engine backtogether

Tried it, thanks. They're on nice and snug. Mind you, the vacuum for the brakes was a bit shonky, so I tightened that up! (See, something good has come of this already, she says, trying to find the bright side...)

Will have to wait until tomorrow to check the spark plugs, because my plug wrench is useless, and my neighbours with the wonderful tool box aren't home yet.

Stick your hand behind the L/H carby, at the very back at the top there should be two aluminium plugs, if you can stick your finger into a hole, then one of these plugs have fallen out.......

Yes, there's a hole there all right! Well of all the places I've never thought of sticking my hand....
:bounce:bounce:bounce
(I never thought I'd be so happy that something had fallen off my car)

What was the aluminium plug/hole for? And where will I get another one???
For tomorrow though, I reckon I could get away with some pretty hefty gaff-tape over the hole. (That's so dodgy, I can't believe I just admitted to it...)

11cab, you are my hero!
:kiss

You will probably get away with sticking a timber bung in the hole with some silastic on it. Shape it up with a kitch knife

[Edited on 5-9-2003 by Buggy Brad]