Stupid, stupid, stupid. If I had just taken the trouble to spray some WD40 or some such on the throttle disc pivot of the carburettor (as had shot through my head on a few occasions), it would probably have saved us a trip to Amersfoort. Peter, our mechanic, concluded that was the reason for the fast idling the white Cooper sometimes did lately. On the way back it did it once, but not as often as it used to do. Just a bit more grease?
However, it wasn't all wasted time, because Peter also thought we needed to
check the valve clearance again. Actually I had a hunch along those
lines too now and again, since that distinct tappety-noise started
sounding again. This is not good, because the last time the valve
clearance was adjusted, one valve was way too tight (see a few entries
back in this blog) also, and it is not such a long time ago.
Valve-clearance shouldn't go off this quickly, so the obvious
conclusion is: more head trouble :(
'Keep you posted.