14 replies to this topic

[TheFabMini]

Went out for my Sunday morning start up, fired up straight away on the choke, run for about 5 minutes and it started to struggle. Pushed the Choke back in and the engine wont run unless I keep tapping the throttle and it sounds absolutely awful!

https://youtu.be/uE2o23_LsQE

[sledgehammer]

hard to guess the fault without being there - but -

 

I would get the plugs out , give em a clean , if you got a compression tester , check the cyl's (as you have plugs out)

 

look for a split pipe / pipe off / air leak

 

check the cap / points / condenser / leads / rotor arm / coil nose & terminals , use some wd40 / gt85 etc to drive out any damp

 

if all the above ok , look at engine running in the dark , look for stray sparks

 

check fuel is clean & float chamber clean & fuel getting there

 

report back

[Rorf]

You the guy who had the loose flywheel problem? I think part of your problem. 

[TheFabMini]

You the guy who had the loose flywheel problem? I think part of your problem. 

Yes I am the clueless fool who had the loose flywheel
I know the exhaust has a nasty blow as when I start it up the engine bay fills with fumes and I can feel exhaust gases/air around the join between the manifold and exhaust.
Ive got the manifold off tonight. Gonna get some fire gum and new gaskets this week and put it all back together then start things up again which Im hoping will improve the sound and allow me to identify any other issues
 7D7EBE16-E008-42E9-8DF9-ED2C3E53D486.jpeg   56.99K   1 downloads

[TheFabMini]

hard to guess the fault without being there - but -
 
I would get the plugs out , give em a clean , if you got a compression tester , check the cyl's (as you have plugs out)
 
look for a split pipe / pipe off / air leak
 
check the cap / points / condenser / leads / rotor arm / coil nose & terminals , use some wd40 / gt85 etc to drive out any damp
 
if all the above ok , look at engine running in the dark , look for stray sparks
 
check fuel is clean & float chamber clean & fuel getting there
 
report back

Thanks, as above I’m gonna sort out my leaky exhaust as I know that’s an issue and fire her up again later in the week and see if we still have a problem. If so I’ll go through your check list!

[sledgehammer]

sounds like the exhaust may be a large part of the problem

 

best of luck

[MiniMonty]

Your ignition light is on and off - and on - and off...

You need to take a day and do some basics...

Timing, plugs, dizzy, HT cables, clean carb, mixture, valve clearances, fan belt, solenoid...

 

The simple nut and bolt stuff needs to be right, clean and looked after.

 

The A series engine is a simple and beautiful thing but it needs to be loved and kept in shape.

 

Constant attention - no.

Weekly attention - definitely.

[dyshipfakta]

That looks like a huge leak from your manifold that will cause most of your issue alone.

[Northernpower]

Make sure the downpipe clamp is still on at the gearbox otherwise, no matter how much exhaust paste you use you'll still get movement at the joint leading to blowing and eventually a fracture.

[dyshipfakta]

I wrapped mine in some tin foil too which made a huge difference. Only a couple of layers before tightening the clamps up.

[TheFabMini]

Right! What a day it has been.
Ive been suspicious of my head gasket (oil in coolant/loosing coolant)
So since I had half the job done removing the manifold I decided to change the head gasket as well.
I will update with photos later
But we now have a new head gasket and cleaned out everything on the head
New plugs
Exhaust well and truly held together and sealed up.
Started her up and things sound a lot lot better
I will put a video up but it sounds worse in the video than real life.

I do agree that I think I still need to do some basics.
One thing which I cant work out. I have the idle screw as far back as I can get it but I still feel like the engine is idling a bit high and instead of a nice steady tick over it seems to fluctuate ever so slightly.

So yeah still not perfect but Im gonna give myself a pat on the back for replacing a head gasket

[TheFabMini]

heres a clip of the first start up once I had put everything back together

 

 

 

 

for more pictures of what ive done today I put it all on my project thread.

 

http://www.theminifo...-2#entry3507726

[EasterBern]

 

One thing which I cant work out. I have the idle screw as far back as I can get it but I still feel like the engine is idling a bit high and instead of a nice steady tick over it seems to fluctuate ever so slightly.

 

 

It could be a leak on the inlet manifold somewhere, if you have the vacuum advance pipe disconnected from the distributor you need to block it up.

 

Also could be a bent butterfly in the carb, or wear in it's spindle.

[TheFabMini]

 

 

One thing which I cant work out. I have the idle screw as far back as I can get it but I still feel like the engine is idling a bit high and instead of a nice steady tick over it seems to fluctuate ever so slightly.

 

 

It could be a leak on the inlet manifold somewhere, if you have the vacuum advance pipe disconnected from the distributor you need to block it up.

 

Also could be a bent butterfly in the carb, or wear in it's spindle.

 

 

... you just reminded me, i took that thin vacuum pipe thing off when I removed the head and didnt put it back on. 

[MiniMonty]

After all the bits and bobs you've done (including putting the vacuum back on) you need to do a basic tune

of the carb / engine. LOADS of articles on how to do it on this forum and the net generally. 

A Rev counter might be a good addition to the dash but it does sound A LOT better : )

 

Best wishes

Monty