Number 3 Plug Fouling

A friend of ours took his 79 MGB to a mechanic in the local area to have the heater core repaired. He left the shop a short while ago with heater working but the car runs really bad.

He just called us and told us the mechanic said he needs a Flame Thrower Ignition because # 3 plug is getting to much gas. My hubby is familar with the car and the iginition was fine before it entered the shop. Matter of fact it has a Crane XR700 on it.

Hubby talked to our friend and then the friend called the shop back and they said some anti-freeze had spilled on plug and distributor but would soon dry out and the car would run a little better but still contents it needs a Flame Thrower Igniton because there is to much gas on plug # 3. Hubby doesn't think so.

Hubby thinks:

1. Bad wire to the one plug
2. Distributor cap needs replacing
3. Distributor needs cleaning and drying from anti-freeze spill
4. Plug is bad

What's your thoughts/opinion/advice?

Your turn :)

I would start with making sure everything (distributor, plug wires, etc.) is cleaned a dried out from the antifreeze spill. I clean rag and some WD-40 should be the place to start.

I would try worknig in reverse from Bills step number 4 to number 1. I think the shop is us just trying to sell a new flamethrower. I would check out all that first before even thinking about something new. If it was running alright when it went in, then something the shop did has to be the problem.

George

I agree that everything should be dried given that the heater valve was just replaced.

I know that the Crane has an optical trigger, maybe a little cleaning would be in order if say some anti-freeze got on to the optical part?

Other than that check the things already mentioned. If you've got an ohmmeter you could check the resistance on the 3 wire and see how it compares to the others. The wires are so close in size there shouldn't be too much variation.

A flamethrower isn't going to fix anything. This is basic maintenance stuff! Check for corrosion on the cap terminals (inside) and clean everything up. Maybe run an Ohms test through the cap and wires to see if there's a short. Replace the rotor. Make sure the rotor isn't contacting the cap terminals. Make sure the #3 plug isn't fouled by swapping it with one of the other 3 plugs. That'll isolate a plug vs lead issue. Make sure the antifreeze gets cleaned out of the distributor before it causes rust in the advance mechanism!

He needs an honest mechanic

Once again another excellent answer from Jeff!

I agree with Bill and it could also be noting more than a piece of carbon blew into the plug gap and fouled it.

too much gas on #3?

Wtheheck does THAT mean? #3 gets the same "gas" as #4.

hubby's right again!

I agree with both Jeff and Bill...... but I wonder, if it was just a simple anti-freeze spill from changing the heater core, what the heck were they doing taking plugs out anyway???Cleaning up an antifreeze spill on a dizzy, does NOT entail removing spark plugs!! As to the spill??? In all the years I've worked on these cars (both my own and customers) I ALWAYS lay a piece of plastic and a couple shop rags over the dizzy when changing the heater valve or the core!! It's a CYA thing.. as I don't like "come-backs" and I generally don't like the possibilty of shorting out a ign. sys....
I also drain the cooling system so I don't have to worry about errant spills... anytime I'm working on the cooling/heater system (at least to a level BELOW where I plan to work).
I would question both the mechanics and the shops integrity as well.
1) Not following accepted shop practices
2) Blaming a problem THEY caused on defective parts. If the ign was damaged? it would be THEIR responsibility to make it right!! to the cusomers satisfaction!
3) If a mechanic working for me tryed to SELL a customer parts to fix HIS screw-up?? He would find his self out of a job before he could blink twice!
Again... NOt acceptable!!

Our friend came by this morning and the hubby made the fix. Nothing more than a cracked distributor cap which we happened to have on hand.

Ain't it terrible what some of these mechanics want to do and this one was an MG mechanic in business for such :(

Sweet! An easy fix is always good! Congratulations! Now go back to the shop and show them your failed Crane system! Better yet, bring them a bill for the cracked distributor cap!

Jeff, I kinda wish the owner would do that but I know he won't. I am very disappointed in the mechanic thought because I've known him a long time and would never belive he would have tried to pull one like that :)

the mechanic probably used the distributor cap as leverage to pry the heater valve off and cracked it make him pay for it. or dont go there ever. if you recomended him to your friend.

This was clearly a foolish accident. What's worse is that the car's owner could have left the car there to have a Pertronix put in it, and he'd STILL have the problem, unless part of the ploy was to cover the cost of a new cap in the Pertronix charge? Or maybe they made a mistake an honestly thought that they damaged the Crane setup by getting it wet. Either way, its not very good business practice. Just keep in mind that everyone makes a mistake now and then!