164 cutting out

[Triple-S]

These last few weeks my 164E occasionally decides to stop running - for just a second or so whilst driving, then it starts again whilst in gear (manual). Usually after a mile or so from a cold start: I though little of it but yesterday it happened whilst at traffic lights, but it started straight away on the key - its as if a magic hand has switched it off then on again. Could this be a sign of imminent brain failure (the car's, that is....).
A friend had similar on his 740 and he feared it would happen at an embarrassing place so gave up on it and unfortunately scrapped the car, never bothering to find out what was wrong. That won't happen here.....
Its an injection car - could it imply fuel pump (or connections) problems. Otherwise running well, and passed MoT earlier this week with no advisories.
Famous last words.....
Any suggestions please - MTIA

P

[Volvorama]

I have a German 164E from 1973. Off road needing a radiator! I had cutting out problems with this and it was a bad connection in the extra fuse box on the inner wing that powers the injection system. Happened a few times but not since I cleaned up the spade connectors and the fuses themselves. Surprisingly reliable car otherwise and very quick.

[capt jack]

The 164E, if still as it came from the factory, uses the Bosch D-Jet fuel injection system. Unlike modern cars the system only controls fuel delivery, not the ignition side of things.

When a car of this vintage starts to misbehave as you describe it will be either an electrical fault - the more likely, or a fuel fault - the less likely option.

Electrical issues which could cause this would include the spark plugs, the plug leads, the distributor, the points, the condenser, the coil, and as has been suggested, there could be a random loose connection somewhere within the wiring.

There are of course no diagnostic sockets on a 1970s car to help pin these things down. It's old-fashioned methodicals that will solve this.

On the fuel side the D-Jet system is actually quite simple. There's a very basic electronic control unit, then the fuel tank, pump, filters, fuel lines, a fuel pressure regulator, a fuel ring, six electrically operated injectors, a triggering mechanism (in the distributor), a couple of temperature sensors, a pressure device that monitors the inlet manifold vacuum, an air inlet valve that is dependent on the coolant temperature, and an electrical throttle switch.

I'd suggest working through the following list:

1. Check the plugs and leads, clean or replace and re-gap the points, fit a new condenser, check the engine timing and dwell angle.

2. Check the fuel delivery - the pump and the fuel filters - there are two - one in the tank and one next to the pump.

If that doesn't identify the problem then you'll need to start working through the electronic injection components. Start with the air inlet valve. This is in effect an automatic choke, and is a simple sliding valve that opens and closes according to engine temperature. They have a habit of sticking, causing problems as the car starts to warm up - ie: within the first mile or so after starting.......

Jack

[srs4164]

Hello Triple-S,

My name is Stan. I'm across the pond in California and daily drive a '72 164E. I'm curious to know if you were able to figure out what was causing the cutting out problem.

I'd also like to ask you about something you posted in a different thread wherein you indicate that you replaced your "air valve mixture thingy" on your car last year. I'm wondering whether or not you still have the seized one and if so, whether you might be willing to sell and ship it to me? This is one of the few D-Jet items I don't have a spare of and I've heard of someone who sells the internal part so that these can be repaired. I'd much rather try this on an extra unit instead of waiting until mine dies to see if this really works.

Tried to send you 2 PMs on this, but I don't see any record of them in my outbox, which surprises me since I've accumulated more than the required 30 posts, so I figured I'd drop this here.

Thanks!