BSA Owners' Club Workshop Discussions

The BSA Workshop => Singles => Topic started by: phill on 11 Jun, 2018, 17:44

Title: C15 misfire
Post by: phill on 11 Jun, 2018, 17:44
Hi,
     C15 trouble again - sorry. I am getting a persistent misfire at all revs. I have changed the plug (NGK B7ES 23 thou gap),plug cap, condenser. Points ignition fitted with a regulator/rectifier from Rex Caunt racing. I have set up the points to the correct gap and set the tappet adjustment (although I struggled with getting the piston in the right place). I'm not sure about the ignition timing - I can't see how the procedure described in the manual (knitting needle down plug hole etc) can be very accurate. Any ideas would be gratefully received.


Phil
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: Dean Southall on 11 Jun, 2018, 17:56
How old is the fuel?
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: ducati2242 on 11 Jun, 2018, 18:22
The only thing left is the coil , which can cause a misfire , or the petrol . My guess would be the coil .
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: ducati2242 on 11 Jun, 2018, 18:40
forgot to ask is it distributer or side points ignition .
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: phill on 11 Jun, 2018, 19:36
Hi,
        Distributor ignition, new fuel, bike starts very easily.
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: ducati2242 on 11 Jun, 2018, 20:50
have you another coil you could try then .
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: phill on 11 Jun, 2018, 21:49
no I'm afraid not - I'll see if I can get one
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: JulianS on 11 Jun, 2018, 22:26
Is it set too rich?

Is it flooding?

What does the plug look like?
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: phill on 12 Jun, 2018, 09:22
No flooding. Plug looks OK
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: phill on 20 Jun, 2018, 22:31
Have now fitted new coil but has made no difference. Looking for ideas.
Phil
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: DerekAnderson8 on 21 Jun, 2018, 07:46
is the ignition timing retarded, if the bike starts easily but doesn't want to rev it may not be correct, does adjusting the timing make any difference to misfiring?

Does the engine idle ok or have you got to keep it going with throtttle?

cheers

derek
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: phill on 21 Jun, 2018, 10:11
Hi,
         Idles OK. Altering the timing by turning distributor body makes no difference to misfire. I've uploaded a video to Youtube  - VBO977. I thought this would be better than trying to describe what it's doing.


Phil
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: ANDY HIGHAM on 21 Jun, 2018, 10:49
90% of all ignition problems are carb related
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: phill on 21 Jun, 2018, 11:25
I've just had the carb off and cleaned it out again. All looks good but no difference.
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: ducati2242 on 21 Jun, 2018, 14:28
I know you have already changed it but was it the same with the old condenser in . Does sound like the condenser is breaking down on your youtube link.
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: phill on 21 Jun, 2018, 15:06
Hi, yes - same with old and new condensers
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: AWJDThumper on 21 Jun, 2018, 16:21
Unfortunately, these types of misfire can be hard to sort out. It sounds as though you have changed everything on the electrical side and so that tends to now rule out that as the source. What is the actual state of the engine, especially the valves and piston/bore. If these are all in good condition then it might be worth substituting the carb to rule this out.
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: DerekAnderson8 on 21 Jun, 2018, 16:43
Quote from: ANDY HIGHAM on 21 Jun, 2018, 10:49
90% of all ignition problems are carb related

how true that is!

Does the bike pull ok through the gears or is it down on power?

compression test?

trying to think of possible causes sorry if you have been told all this before.

cheers
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: DerekAnderson8 on 24 Jun, 2018, 20:00
I had a quick shot on a Triumph Tiger cub today, i know its a different bike but bear with me. It was i think restored a few years ago and doesn't get used much but runs well and may have a slight misfire but pootles along well and is a joy to ride (especially in the sunshine and not going anywhere in particular!)

It got me thinking maybe sometimes too much is expected from these old machines and they might not run perfectly well all the time, but that to me is part of the attraction.

regards

derek
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: phill on 26 Jun, 2018, 17:06
OK, the problem was with the carb. Took it off again for a more careful look - cleaned everything again and changed position of needle to 3 down from top. Ran a lot better. Noticed when it was apart that the body is marked 375/31 when the book says 375/34. Also the  needle was a 'C' rather than a 'B' as per book and the needle jet 105 rather than 1055. The body and throttle slide looked good so I just got a B needle and 1055 needle jet. Running nicely now but probably needs some final tuning. One more thing ticked off the list. All good fun!
Title: Re: C15 misfire
Post by: AWJDThumper on 26 Jun, 2018, 17:23
375/31 means it was off a Bantam D7. However, unlike the Concentric carbs, I don't think the 375 Monobloc carbs were separated into 2-stroke and 4-stroke carbs.