5 replies to this topic

[Reggie1]

Hey,

My mini Reggie has a very similar issue! Until today he was starting first time every time even in the mist of snow. He then started to have issues when in traffic and couldn't remain idle. We changed the points again and he seemed to pick up a bit. For the next few weeks he was fine and ran really well.

Then one Tuesday I took him out and he ran fine for a good half hour drive. When returning to him an hour later he started fine and half way home in thirdgear he started to jump, cough and splutter down the road. He didn't completely cut out and I managed to drive through the issue until I came up to the next roundabout. Once I had changed down gear again and moved on from the round about he was fine again for the rest of the drive.

After this incident we were fine again for about a week - even drove all the way to Colchester from Ipswich in terrential rain with no problems. Then on a Tuesday night again he did exactly the same and was coughing spluttering all over the place. I had done nothing different and it came from out of the blew.

Today we started first time - and drove back to work! Was fine until close to work and the engine had heated up. No splutting and revs were steady. Last set of traffice lights he spluttered when pulling off and hickupped all the way in to the car park. Made it half way to parking space to reverse and cut out completely - subsequently refusing to re-start. Having pushed reggie into car parking space we had to leave him till after work when we had a good look at all connectionswhich seemed fine. He also started after work and would run for a bit and then just peter out. The points, condenser and spark plugs have all been recently changed.

The interesting thing is that the oil dip stick seems to have quite a big affect on the revs! If we push it in the revs are louder, but if we pull it out slightly he peters out. Was wondering whether the seal on the dip stick might be letting air get in and causing a blockage and hence the spluttering....... But then from reading millions of posts Im now confused if it could be 'coils/air leaks/fuel issues'

Any help would be much appreciated........

[Twincam]

Have you got a spare coil you could try out? Is it only happening when she is hot? Also if you were to turn her off once she is nice and warm, does she start back up easily?

[youpers]

If your pushing oil up through your dip stick that usually means you need new rings. When the rings fail, they start to pressurise the crank case and then begin to blow out all the seals on the bottom end of the motor. Your conditions sound to me like failing piston rings. Get a leak down test, or maybe just a compression test might show you too.

[Reggie1]

Thanks for advice - one coil being picked up tomorrow to try that first! Will let you know how I get on!!

[Bean]

(Sorry to go O/T ... )

But my suggestion would be to re-name him!! Mine's called Reggie and I swear he's cursed!


Hope you manage to get it sorted soon

[T.Harper]

Try to make sure the dipstick seals - people often use a spring to put side tension on it to keep it in place. The difference in revs you are experiencing is a result of a change in crankcase pressure and yes a weakening of the mixture to the carb as a result.

With your intermittent misfire problem - I suspect water getting under the distributor cap. I've had this problem before and found that it wasn't in the pouring rain but afterwards - Take the distributor cap off. Check that everything under there is in order. Points gap set right etc. Now make sure the cap is thoroughly dry inside. Take some WD40, spray it on a cloth, and wipe the inside of the cap (not points) to leave a slight residue.

Use silicone sealant on the mating face of the cap and then put it back on the distributor and clip it into place. Alternatively try a marigold glove with the fingers cut off (we're trying to waterproof it here).

Having a form of ignition shield in front of the distributor helps this problem immensely too.