daveyc123 Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 Hi guys, so I have an issue with my 1256 hc viva in that I'm getting no spark to cylinder two. I've swapped ht leads, distributor cap and rotor arm. The distributor doesn't appear to have any signs of wear that they are commonly associated with. I have replaced the earth wire inside and also replaced the wire that goes from the coil to the distributor. I can get a brand new distributor from the UK but it's kinda costly and I don't think its the distributor that's the issue.... But perhaps it is? I've replaced every other component in the system: coil, points, condenser etc Is there anything I've missed? Or does anyone have any thoughts on what would cause this? The car has been a project and hasn't seen the road for a while. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 Have you tried another spark plug? Given that the other three have spark and you've already changed leads that's pretty much the only thing left. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajg193 Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 You certain it is no spark and not just a dead cylinder? When cranking over, does it just constantly repeat the same wug-wug sound or does it go wug-wug-wug-wg-wug-wug-wug-wg - if one cylinder is low on compression the engine will turn over faster on that one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tortron Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 I'd assume you have taken agood plug and lead and put it in the cylinder 2 position and checked for spark. Try Measuring the points gap at each position and double check the points are closing when number 2 lobe passes. Could be a lobe has wiped off. Is there no play in the shaft? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajg193 Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 some possible causes of low compression: incorrect valve clearances, stuck valve, bent valve, burnt valve, worn piston rings 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveyc123 Posted April 26, 2021 Author Share Posted April 26, 2021 Swapped plugs and leads. Valve clearances have been set, cylinder head has been fully reconditioned, no play in the shaft. I've had a mechanic look at it and he's said all lobes are fine. I can check that the points are opening at each position. Burn the mechanic has said they are. I'm very much at the limit of my knowledge which is why I passed it over to a mechanic.... But still no luck. I will recheck all these things tomorrow evening after work. Thanks for the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nominal Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 Did the mechanic do a compression test? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tortron Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 Are you checking the spark by eye is the question everyone is trying to ask 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveyc123 Posted April 26, 2021 Author Share Posted April 26, 2021 Compression is good. Yep no spark by eye and also pulling the lead off cylinder two makes no difference to how the car runs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tortron Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 and you have swapped the leads and plugs around, and still no spark on number 2 both the new and old (was the old one actually old or is it a reproduction one like the new one?) Some cars (beetles for example) came with tall and short caps and rotors and you can end up with a missmatch that sort of wobbles around these caps have plug in leads rather than the poke it in and screw it down ones right? (the little screws work better when they are cleaned of corrosion) it would be interesting to see the inside of the caps and if #2 contact looks any different to the others Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveyc123 Posted April 26, 2021 Author Share Posted April 26, 2021 Yep swapped leads and spark plugs around. Caps have plug in leads.... So possibly the connection between cap and lead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tortron Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 in this case probably not, as long as its a good snug fit, and if its both caps doing it with different wires i wouldnt think so. I was meaning some copper leads are held in place with a screw with a barbed end 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nominal Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 Any mechanic worth paying should be able to sort it out in less than an hour. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajg193 Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 If it has compression and the ignition system is all good then you've probably just got a vacuum leak where the intake manifold feeds that cylinder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tortron Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 46 minutes ago, daveyc123 said: Compression is good. Yep no spark by eye and also pulling the lead off cylinder two makes no difference to how the car runs 3 minutes ago, ajg193 said: If it has compression and the ignition system is all good then you've probably just got a vacuum leak where the intake manifold feeds that cylinder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nominal Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 1 hour ago, Nominal said: Any mechanic worth paying should be able to sort it out in less than an hour. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carsnz123 Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 Yes and I perform such magic on a daily basis. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveyc123 Posted April 26, 2021 Author Share Posted April 26, 2021 Thanks for all your replys. I'm going to check everything one last time tomorrow after work and if I don't get anywhere I'll employ the help of @Carsnz123 Thanks for your quick replys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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