Intermittent Hesitation

Happy Summer All,

Got a bit of a head scratcher, she's running well in the most part but I have this very annoying intermittent hesitation. I can't seem to force it by high revs, low revs, fast / slow, hot / cold, it's random. If pushed, one hot, I would say after slowing down, second gear and pull off it's more likely to happen.

TYPE 4 Engine 1800 twin Dellorto DRLA 40's

In the last 18 months:

Plugs, Leads, Fuel Pump (rotary correct pressure) new elec ignition, float heights, timing, valve gaps.

I've got a coupe of coils / dissy caps and rotors as spares, I checked the resistance on both coils last year and they seem good. Fresh fuel (Shell premium) after a lay up - also tried an additive to rid the ethanol makes no difference.

I had a good go at balancing and setting the mixtures on the carbs last year and plan on doing that again when time allows, but am unsure if rich / lean or unbalanced condition would cause this.....help!

I just took the bus for a tip run, last week started great after re-setting the timing after trying for a little while to start up. Today it was hard going starting again, but started up. After parking up for 15min to loading up the van it started first try but noticed that I got an intermittent hesitation while driving. Parked up to unload and it took a few tries to start up and didn’t feel like it ran perfectly. Parked up at family for 20min and it just wouldn’t start again. I checked the timing and it had moved again! Set it up and tried again nothing, checked timing again and it had moved again though the bolt was really tight. Tried several times again after re-setting the timing but it just wouldn’t spark up, the carb got fuel and the electronic points got spark. So I tested the coil by looking at the spark colour and it was a bit orange with light blue at the ends. This is a silver Beru with roughly 2k km. Got a lift home to pick up an old 15-20yr old blue Bosch swapped it over and it fired up instantly!!
Might just be worth changing the coil for a blue one, especially if you notice a slow start up.
Cheers

I'd say it's a coil issue.
But as an afterthought, are you running stock distributor with condenser?

Thanks both, will swap the coil today and see if that makes a difference.

I’ve got a silver beru fitted and a blue bosh as a spare. She has been difficult to start but I put that down to me flooding her (if i don’t touch the accelerator she starts)

Distributer: aftermarket svda with electronic ignition.

Well the Bosch Blue is defiantly defective! Suspected this was a fake when purchased...

Are the original Blue Bosch coils made in Germany still for sale?
The silver Beru doesn’t seem to be good or last for long. If it’s been starting hard I’d defo switch if for a good blue.
Good luck and keep us updated please.

Thinking of this one: https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/ignition-coil-electronic-ignition-din.html


£150 seems a bit steep for this one: https://www.heritagepartscentre.com...MInv707-Pu-AIVmuhRCh0ciwv_EAQYASABEgKtSfD_BwE

https://www.coolairvw.co.uk/product/113905115boschbl/£99 ataircoolvw

I just use a generic ignition coil, haven't had any issues in 12 years. Make sure it's compatible with electronic ignition if you're running it.

By way of update, new coil no hesitation! However.....

Purchased a Bosch 0 221 119 027 coil as it is epoxy filled (apparently oil filled do not like being mounted horizontally) and its getting quite hot. She was down on power after a good run yesterday.....but good today, coil still hot though......

Voltage at the coil:

• Ignition on: 13.50V
• Engine Running: 13.98V

Leads:

1. 1.025K ohms
2. 1.032K ohms
3. 1.012K ohms
4. 0.995K ohms

Sparks all gapped to 0.7mm

Coil resistance:

• 2.9 ohms primary
• 7.56k ohms secondary

Coils do get really hot, but you should be able to touch it for a couple of seconds.
Check the ht connections for tightness/corrosion as well. How old are the spark plugs and leads?

Ah Ok - yes can touch for a couple of seconds. Seems normal then.

Leads and Plugs new last year, not driven much since.

I'd check both the 12V and ht connections just to be on the same side.
Are you running stock distributor with condenser or electronic ignition?

Hi,

Not sure what you mean?

Stock dissy now re-fitted with accuspark elecy ignition.

I have used Bosch red coils with ballast before now , much better spark on start up.