205 Keeps Stopping

[littleredgem]

Hi, I have a 91 205 1.1 - 55,000 miles, Solex carb with a Mareli ignition system.

The other day when driving, the engine started dieing out followed by black smoking and back firing before starting its self again after a few seconds. It did this for 400 yards before I could pull over. I stopped and it ticked over perfectly then it stopped.
I checked every thing I could, it was a dry day so no puddles, I could see no sparks ect. Started it back up, it was fine and carried on home (40 miles).

Yesterday I went for a 10 mile drive and it was perfect. Today, went 3 miles before it started cutting out and back firing ect. I stopped, then it did, checked everything, started it back up and it stoppped again about 30 seconds later. It did this another 3 times. I then carried on the further mile to the supermarket perfectly.
However when I came to leave it started then stopped, then wouldn't start. In the end, I got it going by just waiting then I started and ran it at fast idle for 5 mins or so then it drove 4 miles back home perfectly.

The car has had new plugs, filters, dizzy cap and rotor arm, leads, carb clean and rebuild. When it stops, the fuel filter is full of fuel and I have checked the choke at it was off.

Any ideas.

[oldpug]

The next item to replace is the ignition control unit.That is the small unit about the size of a credit card held on the side of the distributor.Remove the multy plug and two screws and "unplug it".Be very carefull locating the new one(when you see it you will see what I mean) and make sure its the correct type for your distributor.

[frodo]

You don't mention the low-tension leads to the coil?

My previous GTi used to cut out occasionally, which in the end needed a new ignition switch to cure - with a different key of course But I don't remember any black smoke.

[quimbyf]

I had exactally the same problem and I'm afraid it was the distributor.

My mechanic found out it was a shorting issue when he checked the distributor by manually turning it and it threw him across his garage with the shock.

The above was A method to prove the issue, I don't for one minute suggest it's the approved method, but a new distributor solved the issue.

I warn you they are not cheap though sorry.