I was off last sunday for a drive with the XJ6C. First turn of the key and the engine ran. I took of to fill the gas tanks. When i done that the engine started first turn of the key again. I drove for some 10 miles and when on the motorway, the engine just died. No splutter or splatter. Just dead. You know the drill. Emergency highway person arrived and close one strip of tarmac. Called the tow truck which took me off the motorway for the AA person to arrive. He checked the fuel pumps at the carbs. Nothing wrong. Checked the HT leads, nothing wrong. Checked the distribution. Nothing wrong expect the rotor was a bit worn. Tried to spray some ether starting fluid in the air intake and the engine tried to fire but no luck. I got a tow home. What can be wrong. I have fuel from both the fuel pumps entering the carbs. HT leads are fine. Ignition is fine. distributor is fine.Except the rotor is a bit worn. That cannot be the cause of the dying of the engine all of a sudden? I have a 123ignition dizzy. Also what i saw when i looked bihind the car was the right rear light was on while the indicator blinking to the right. That is a grounding problem i need to look into but i hardly can believe that is the cause of the sudden death either.
Any ideas what can be the cause of the sudden dying of the engine?

 

Just some extra information. The carbs had a major restoration some 400km ago. IWhen the AA man check the carbs the only conclusion was that they where very dry. He filled the pots with some oil to lubricat them.

 

When a petrol car just suddenly dies on you, it is normally the ignition system. You refer to earthing. Is the engine earthing strap secure and making good contact ? A spark has to get to earth on the car somehow. Has the spark actually been tested for its presence ? Be careful when doing so, as you don't want to start an engine fire !

 

The earth strap is on the fender but i need to look into it if it is attached sufficiently. Also the AA bloke did not take out the spark plugs and tested with plyers in the HT leads. Will look into this matter. Thank you.