Clutch System Service

Problem

Clutch slips while engaged.

Cause

Incorrect clutch linkage adjustment. Broken or weak pressure spring. Binding in clutch linkage. Broken engine mount. Worn friction disc facing. Grease or oil on disc facing. Incorrectly adjusted release levers. Wrapped friction disc.

Solution

Adjust clutch linkage adjustment. Replace pressure plate assembly. Free, adjust and lubricate clutch linkage. Replace engine mount. Replace disc facing. Adjust release levers. Wraped friction disc.

Problem

Clutch chatters or grabs while engaging.

Cause

Binding in clutch linkage. Broken engine mount. Oil or grease on disc facing or glazed or loose facing. Binding on friction disc hub on clutch shaft. Broken disc facing, springs or pressure plate. Warped friction disc.

Solution

Free, adjust and lubricate linkage. Replace engine mount. Replace disc facing. Clean and lubricate splines. Replace defective parts. Replace broken parts of disc facing, springs or pressure plate. Replace friction disc.

Problem

Clutch spins or drags while disengaged.

Cause

Incorrect linkage adjustment or operation. Warped friction disc or pressure plate. Loose friction disc or disc facing. Improper release lever adjustment. Friction disc hub binding on clutch shaft. Broken engine parts. 

Solution

Adjust, repair or replace linkage adjustment. Replace defective parts on friction disc or pressure plate. Replace disc. Adjust release lever adjustment. Clean and lubricates splines. Replace defective parts. Replace engine parts.

Problem

Clutch noisy while engaged.

Cause

Friction disc hub loose on clutch shaft. Friction disc dampener springs broken or weak. Misalignment of engine and transmission.

Solution

Replace worn parts. Replace disc. Align engine and transmission.

Problem

Clutch noisy while disengaged.

Cause

Release bearing worn, binding or out of lubricant. Release levers not properly adjusted. Pilot bearing in crank shaft worn or out of lubricant. Diaphragm spring worn or damaged.

Solution

Replace bearing. Adjust or replace pressure plate assembly. Lubricate or replace crank shaft. Replace pressure plate assembly.

Valve System Service

Problem

Valve sticking.

Cause

Deposits on valve stem. Worn valve guide. Warped valve stem. Insufficient oil. Overheating valves.

Solution

Clean or remove valve stem deposits. Replace valve. Check oil or service lubricating system.

Problem

Valve burning.

Cause

Valve sticking. Distorted valve seat. Valve tappet clearance too small. Spring cocked or weak. Overheated engine. Lean air fuel mixture. Preignition. Detonation. Valve seat leakage

Solution

Check cooling system, tighten cylinder head bolts.  Adjust.  Replace spring.  Check cooling system.  Service fuel system.  Clean carbon from engine, use cooler plugs.  Adjust ignition timing, use higher octane fuel.  Replace valve face and seat.  Replace valve guide.

Problem

Valve breakage.

Cause

Valve burning.  Detonation.  Excessive valve tappet clearance.  Valve sticking.  Scratches on valve system.

Solution

Adjust ignition timing, use higher octane fuel.  Adjust.  Replace valve.

Problem

Valve-face wear

Cause

Excessive valve tappet clearance.  Dirt on face.

Solution

Adjust.  Clean, check air cleaner.

Problem

Valve deposits

Cause

Carbon from rich mixture.  Worn valve guides.  Carbon from poor combustion.  Dirty or wrong oil.

Solution

Service fuel system.  Replace.  Service fuel system, ignition or service engine.  Replace oil.

Engine Trouble Service

Problem

Engine will not crank.

Cause

Run down battery. Starting circuit open. Starting motor jammed. Engine stuck up. Transmission not in nuetral or park.

Solution

Recharge or replace battery, jump start engine. Check dirty or loose connection, check starter safety switches. Remove starting motor and repair. Service engine. Move shift lever.

Problem

Engine cranks slowly but will not start.

Cause

Run down battery. Defective starting motor. Bad Connections in starting system.

Solution

Recharge or replace battery, jump start engine. Repair or replace starting motor. Repair, clean and tighten connections.

Problem

Engine cranks at normal speed but will not start.

Cause

Defective ignition system. Defective fuel system. Air leak into intake manifold. Engine defective. Plugged fuel filter. Restricted exhaust system.

Solution

Spark test, check ignition timing. Check fuel system components. Tighten connections or replace gasket. Check compression or leakage. Check or replace fuel filter. Clean or clear restricted exhaust system.

Problem

Engine sluggish, stumbles, lacks power, acceleration or high speed performance, hot or cold.

Cause

Defective ignition system. Defective fuel system. Restricted exhaust system. Loss of compression. Carbon build up in engine. Defective valve action. Thick engine oil. Wrong, bad or dirty fuel.

Solution

Check ignition system components. Check fuel system components. Check catalytic converter, muffler and tail pipe. Check or test compression.Service engine. Check tappet clearance, check cam lobe. Use specified engine oil. Change fuel or use recommended fuel.

Problem
Engine lacks power or high speed performance when hot only.

Cause
Engine overheats. Choke stuck. Manifold heat control valve stuck. Vapor lock.

Solution
Check cooling system. Free, repair or replace choke stuck. Free valve. Use different fuel or shield fuel line.

Ignition System

Problem

Engine cranks normally but fails to start.

Cause

No voltage to ignition system. Ignition module lead open, grounded, loose or corroded. Primary connections not tight. Ignition coil open or shorted. Defective reluctor or pick up coil. The ignition module is defective. Defective distributor cap or rotor. Faulty  fuel system. Engine faulty.

Solution

Check battery, ignition switch, wiring. Repair as needed. Clean, seat connectors. Test coil, replace if defective. Replace reluctor or pick up coil. Replace ignition module. Replace distributor cap or rotor. Check fuel system. Check engine and service if required.

Problem
Engine backfires but fails to start.

Cause
Incorrect timing. Moisture in distributor cap. Voltage leak across the cap. Secondary cables not connected in firing order. Cross firing between secondary cables.

Solution

Set timing. Dry the cap. Replace the cap. Reconnect secondary cables correctly. Replace defective cables.

Problem
Engine runs but misses.

Cause
Spark plugs fouled or faulty. Cap or rotor faulty. Secondary cables defective. Defective ignition coil. Bad connections. High voltage leaks. Advance mechanism defective. Defective fuel system. Mechanical engine problems.

Solution
Clean, regap or replace spark plugs. Replace cap or rotor. Replace secondary cables. Replace ignition coil. Clean or tighten bad connections. Check cap, rotor or secondary cables. Check, repair or replace advance mechanism. Check fuel system. Repair or service engine.

Problem
Engine overheats.

Cause
Late timing. Lack of coolant or other trouble in cooling system. Late valve timing or other.

Solution
Set ignition timing. Check camshaft timing, tappet clearance, adjust if needed.

Problem
Engine springs spark knock.

Cause
Incorrect timing. Wrong fuel used. Defective advance mechanism. Carbon build up in cylinders.

Solution
Set ignition timing. Use correct fuel as recommended. Repair or replace advance mechanism. Service engine.

Problem
Spark plug defective.

Cause
Cracked insulator. Carbon filled spark plug. Busted spark plug.

Solution
Set ignition timing. Clean spark plug. Install new spark plug.

Problem

Engine runs on or diesels.

Cause

Idle solenoid out of adjustment or fuel shut off faulty. Hot spots in combustion chamber. Engine overheating. Advance timing.

Solution

Adjust or replace solenoid. Service engine. Set ignition timing.