Talking of DAF 44s...

[Richard DAF Webmeister]

I got mine out for the first time in a couple of months.

Got a little bit of adjusting to do with the mixture/tickover - bit hesitant when pulling away from standstill, and the pressing the brake pedal doesn't always raise the engine revs, but the low ratio hold switch does.

And here is a little video.

[andrew]

I watched the video & I see what you mean. I'd suggest checking if the brake light switch is working properly (an easy check using a voltmeter) and it it's not either the switch terminals might need polish or a new switch is needed, which involves a brake bleed. As to the hesitancy on take off, having "been there" with my 33 I suggest a check on the timing and points gap first (more advice if needed-just ask!)

[triumph66]

I shall be following this post with interest as my DAF was very hesitant when I parked it at my mechanic's garage a few days ago as per se my post on the timing.

[Richard DAF Webmeister]

Yes. The brake light switch appears to work - brake lights come on and sometimes it does activate the vac valve - can hear the click. But not always, so it could be a loose or dirty connection.

The most likely thing as well is a worn spring on the mixture screw. What can happen is that over the years it weakens and therefore the screw moves out of the correct position with vibration.

When I get some time I'll have another tinker. The other thing could also be lack of use - after a few miles (after I had filmed what you saw) it seemed to improve a bit - some full throttle action! Still not as fast on the uptake as my 33. But it is so comfy and smooth - recent new shock absorbers fitted.

Haha - some who don't understand DAFs, might think that's a strange thing to say or talk about - fast uptakes!!

Triumph - what we need to achieve is to get the mixture correct, and the sign that all is in order is that when the engine is ticking over, pressing the brake pedal or switching on the low ratio hold switch, causes the engine revs to increase slightly.

Something else that happened on this little test drive is something that I have not experienced before... I'd pulled into a petrol station to top up, and alongside a white van appeared. The driver was almost falling out of his seat beckoning me to go to his window, so I did.

He heaped praise on the car - thought it was fab and everything - then said (I kid you not) "is it a Triumph?"!

I explained that I understood why he thought that - Michelotti and all that - and told him a bit about DAF.
Then he asked me, "is it for sale?" And guess what I said...

[triumph66]

Richard, are you saying my car ain't a Triumph!? What the....? 


Useful info info about the brake pedal and revs. Thanks; got a lot to learn here!

[starider]

Hi Both, before the "tinkering and adjusting", give it a really good run with plenty of brisk accelerating and fast bits and then see how it is. Often if a DAF hasn't had a good blast recently or has been standing/little use you get this effect. Used to have a Merc.customer who brought his car in once every 6 months because of poor performance. I knew he only used it around the city, so a good hours fast driving on the dual carriage way soon had it back to peak performance..........................starider

[andrew]

Feb 21, 2017 12:14:56 GMT starider said:

Hi Both, before the "tinkering and adjusting", give it a really good run with plenty of brisk accelerating and fast bits and then see how it is. Used to have a Merc.customer who brought his car in once every 6 months because of poor performance. I knew he only used it around the city, so a good hours fast driving on the dual carriage way soon had it back to peak performance..........................starider

As Starider says, a good "blast" often helps! When I worked at Croyde Motors in the 1970s we used to do an "Italian Service" on cars like this, which meant belting the car along the Braunton dual carriageway at 70+ MPH in third gear..... The cars often "coughed," threw a load of muck out of the exhaust pipe and went much better thereafter...... Trade secrets, eh?

[triumph66]

As you chaps say, a quick blast for any car can do wonders and no car like to stand still for too long. It's a proven point that cars used regularly are less trouble free than those not used. A timely reminder.