My '71 E-type V-12 has the nasty habit of spontaneously shutting down. It simply shuts off with no warning, leaving me to coast to the side of the road and wait for 5-10 minutes before it will start. The shutoff usually occurs within 5 miles of my starting point. My mechanic replaced the fuel pump, put on new gas line hoses, and adjusted the carburetors, but the problem has not stopped. It does not occur every time I drive the car, and sometimes is accompanied by rough running as though the engine isn't receiving enough fuel. Any thoughts on things to check????

Submitted by asimko@netsolnj.com on Wed, 02/22/2006 - 20:04

'59 MGA (sold)

What would work better than trying to locate an ice pack at the right time, would be obtaining a can of "freeze spray" from radio shack, or an electronics store. this can of freon will instantly cool whatever you spray with it to around -40F. we have used this for years for electronic troubleshooting. The frost will evaporate in a few minutes, and will not harm delicate electonics or other mechanism. a can will be about $8.

Andy

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Sat, 02/18/2006 - 15:36

I would check the ballast module. They cause symptoms like yours when they begin to go. George Camp

Submitted by pascal@jcna.com on Fri, 02/17/2006 - 23:03

find a new mechanic! :-)

carbs or fuel lines or even fuel pump will not kill the engine altogether... if a V12 doens't get enough fuel, it will lose power on the left bank but still run. lousy troubleshooting... plus you would hear the pump running after it stops anyway...

More likely to be ignition related... the opus module is know to cause problem with heat, but 5 minutes seems too quick, could be though. someone once suggested putting an ice pack on the opus and see if it comes back to life sooner. or it could be as simple as a problem with the ignition switch although that would be random, not within 5 miles.

it should be easy to check ignition circuit with a voltmeter when it happens... check right away if you have power at the opus... then check for spark while cranking. that' sthe first thing to do before throwin parts (and labor) at the problem.

Pascal Gademer