340 shuddering/cutting out/jerking

[340fan]

Hi, my 1988 340 1.7 starts OK. If I move off it starts playing up, stalling, cutting out. I will drive it down the lane, and it is only happy (i.e. it only actually runs smoothly) with full choke out, this applies all the time, no matter how long I run it for. I have just been out and basically full choke is needed always, it jerks even with this at times.
Any ideas? Could it be the distributor leads? I have a new set, off an MOT failure, shall I replace them, and what about the distributor cap, shall I replace this?
I think the fault is either a fuel flow problem, or an electrics problem, but I am no real mechanic so please reply if you have any ideas about what the problem could be.... I need the car for Christmas!!

PS: Also the speedo is no longer registering the milage I cover, although the actual speed reading needle does work (although it has a lot of play in it). Does the speedo line need oiling, and if so how do I do this?

Thanks very much.

I would suggest getting the mixture checked at a local garage. It does sound like a carburation issue. Weber provide a comprehensive service kit for around £30, plus an hours labour at a garage to fit it.

It sounds as though the mileometer gear mechanism has died. it is a mechanical unit and cannot easily be repaired. A replacement instrument panel from a breakers yard may be the answer. Depending on how friendly your local breaker is, this may be fairly expensive. I remember being charged £25 for a Vauxhall Carlton panel a few years back. OUCH

I hope this helps

Crunchie

Hi, it was only a few months ago when I had the same problem on my 340.
I don't think its an electrical problem, there would be other symptoms as well. It's probably a fuel problem, not enough fuel in the engine. I would check the jets in de floatchamber and the fuel hoses.
I don't know what type of carburettor there is on your car, but I think this procedure is valid for most carburettors.
Remove the top of the carburettor. Be careful when you lift the top of, some petrol might drip out and there is a gasket between the top and the body. You can reuse the gasket. When you look into the carburettor from the top you will be able to see the float chamber. On the bottom of the float chamber there are 2 jets. 1 is for when the car is tikking over, the other is for drive. Check if these are blocked. They unscrew easy enough, beware that the jets might not be the same size, so do them 1 at a time.
Thats what had happend on my 340.
If it turns out to be an fuel problem, I would sugest you put an inline filter in the fuel hose, only cost a couple of pounds. That way you will be ale to almost rule out the carburettor in the future should the problem return.
Hope this helps