Weird engine faults

[Joe Wright]

Hi all,
I know I keep asking everyone lots of advice but it's because im new to E21'S, sorry. Basically my car seems to loose power and the accelerator won't increase the revs at low speeds, the car doesn't stall but to get it going I have to drop a gear and then it goes. It is mainly when it is cold and the car runs fine at higher speeds but it's a bit dangerous when it happens, normally pulling up to roundabouts and I don't know what it is. I have also notice I need next to no choke to get the car going, could the carb be running to rich ? It's manual choke with a weber carb. Any ideas people? Thanks
Joe

[Jeroen]

No prob with asking questions, but please don't go all mad in hitting the submit button, I keep removing double or triple posts.

Could be a vacuum leak or carb adjustment, I'd go for an exhaust gas test to figure that out first.

[Joe Wright]

Thankyou. Sorry about the submit button

[Joe Wright]

Hi guys,
The mystery continues. I have noticed over the last few days that this fault only happens when im in third gear. It's probably just the engine speed it is at (around 30mph), no gearbox crunches and it had a new clutch two years ago. Would the fact it happens in third indicate anything else to look for or is it most likely the areas mentioned before. Thankyou.
Joe

[Jeroen]

What exactly happens? Car stalls while doing 30 mph in 3rd, or when slowing down and engaging the clutch while in 3rd or?

[Joe Wright]

Basically after I have slowed down and then start pulling away, the fault occurs. It is fine in 2nd then the power goes in 3rd, doesn't stall just goes flat and pressing the accelerator gives no revs so you have to drop into 2nd again or depress the clutch to get the cars speed and revs up. Once your in the top end of third and into 4th and 5th it's fine. It just happens at light throttle when trying to pull away but it is always in 3rd, might just be a coincidence. Hope that makes sense. Thanks
Joe

[Joe Wright]

All fixed, thank god. The problem was down to two things. The distributor cap was the wrong one for my car, a spark plug was loose and the tip mssing. Bit of adjustment to the carb and it is running almost perfectly. Just need to check my timing is right and get it done by a garage but it is running the best it has since I bought the car. Happy days. Had me a bit worred