[ROVERNET - UK] Re: Rough running Turmeric SD1

[Glen Wilson]

Robert Heimerl wrote:
> Hi Michael,
>
> This recent Rovernet exhange answers my question about why
> you missed the "MG's on the Rocks" event in Maryland a
> couple of weeks ago.  Only one Rover sedan made it -- a very
> nice white P6 (French export, LHD) owned by a gentleman who
> was expecting both you and Glen to be there, too.  My own
> Turmeric SD1 was not up for the trip, either.  Maybe next
> year....
>   

Yes, we were going to have a smaller turn out than last year, as it was, 
but things imploded just before the show. Jose and Tony work together 
and had to attend a colleague's wedding. That's several cars right 
there! David hit complications and didn't make it up from North Carolina 
(an epic trek, anyway). David once drove a TC all the way to upstate New 
York for a get together. I was painting and spackling the day before our 
first open house on the sale of our home. Michael, you know about. Steve 
Norton actually moved back to Canada and joined the Royal Navy or 
Foreign Legion or something to avoid attending!

Oh well, there's always next year. I must have been a few hours late 
with my email if Jere expected Michael and me to be there. Sorry, Jere!

Eric, who was it that had the Turmeric SD1 out west? I had two Tobacco 
Leaf cars and used to kid him that even Tobacco Leaf was better than 
Turmeric! That was fun. If you followed the link to Michael's car that I 
provided a couple of messages back, you'll see that Turmeric cars really 
CAN look nice!

Glen
> On the subject of your engine:  I would add that the gas in
> mine went bad quite quickly -- in the space of about three
> months.  I've been told that this is due to the higher
> proportion of ethanol content these days.  It's worth
> draining/replacing the fuel before investing in another ECU
> or a very expensive Lumenition electronic ignition system. 
> As for the filters, Dermot has a good point -- he's also
> suggested adding another filter between the tank and the
> fuel pump and has a recommendation for a widely-used one
> that fits the larger diameter hoses in that location.  Yes,
> the fuel injection is one possibility, but then there's that
> aging, overheated electronic ignition.
>
> It's been widely noted that SD1's were frequently found on
> the roadside in the UK, even when relatively new.  Since
> most of those cars were equipped with carburetors, we could
> conclude that the LUCAS electronic ignition system is the
> most likely source.  Unfortunately, because the U.S. cars
> became instant orphans courtesy of British Leyland, most of
> them received little if any regular maintenance.  Now, at 27
> years of age, they typically suffer from multiple layers of
> problems.  My own SD1 is a case study, with fuel, ignition
> and electrical issues.  [And, no, Glen and Kent, it doesn't
> have anything to do with that bright, bold, Turmeric Yellow
> that both Michael and I like so much.]
>
> Please let us know when (if?) you manage to pin down a
> specific cause.  It might help revive two or three others
> with similar symptoms.  And let me know if I can be of any
> help -- although I've not had the greatest success with my
> own car so far. 
>
> I have -- as Dermot suggests -- a Lumenition
> system/distributor waiting to be installed.  And, yes, the
> fuel injectors are another possible source for this engine's
> unpredictable, generally poor performance -- much like what
> you described.  It's not that easy to keep these cars up and
> running, despite all the good advice on Rovernet!  
>
> Best of luck to everyone who tries, though.  We deserve a
> medal of some sort, perhaps a British Knighthood -- here's
> to the Royal Order of Rover Revivers!
>
> Robert Heimerl
> Arlington, VA
>
> 1980 Rover SD1 (Turmeric)
>
>
>
>   
>> Thanks all. A lot of good info.
>>
>> J. Michael Lewis
>>
>>
>> 1980 SD1 turmeric
>> 1980 SD1 aqua
>>
>>
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