Vauxhall Cavileer doesn't like the rain

Have a problem with my Dad's H-Reg ('91) Vauxhall Cavileer. It has a 1.6 petrol engine.

Bascially it just doesn't like the wet! Which considering the weather we've been having recently, isn't a good thing!

What happens is that, if it has been raining heavily, the car just won't start. The starter motor turns over perfectly fine but there is just no response from the engine.

If you leave it to dry out for a day it will start again, albeit after about

5 minutes of trying and then it'll be spluttering for a couple of miles.

It's caused quite a few problems in recent times when the car has been needed urgently but because it has been raining, it won't go anywhere.

Any ideas on how to make it more weatherproof?

Reply to
Mark Hewitt
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It's normally the HT side of things causing that sort of problem. Change the distributor cap, leads and plugs and then see what happens.

John

Reply to
John Greystrong

The message from "Mark Hewitt" contains these words:

Initially give the entire ignition system a really good clean inside and out. Take each lead off and wipe it clean with a rag soaked in WD40, do the same with the ends inside and out. Take off the distributor cap and give it a good clean inside and between the turrets. Wipe over with WD40 inside the distributor as well before reassembling.

That will often cure it - but in the long run you may well need new ignition leads - and give 'em a light spray with WD40 before fitting them.

Reply to
Guy King

New HT leads and distributer cap as others have said.

Reply to
Dave Baker

Also a good idea to check the engine earth strap, which runs from (IIRC) the bottom of the gearbox to the inner wing. Can be susceptible to corrosion which gives some very odd results in wet weather!

Reply to
Carl Bowman

Used to get this with my 1.8i from time to time (well, twice in 6 years/120k miles!), and a 1.3

Cure was

1) Plug leads, if that didn't work

2) Dizzy cap.

Fine in the dry, lumpy/stalling in the wet.

Indication was that a quick spray with WD40 on the leads/dizzy cap would cure it for a while.

Reply to
Richard Murphy

Maybe try a water repellent like wd40

Bill

Reply to
Bill

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