8 replies to this topic

[Chris1992]

Hi guys, 

 

So a couple weeks ago I parked my mini up in the garage after taking it to a local car meet, it was running perfectly and started first try every time. 

 

Yesterday I had the intention of taking it for a spin and making the most of the good weather, but surprise surprise, without me touching anything it has now developed an issue while getting it started, and I can't for the life of me figure out what's wrong. 

 

At the first turn of the key it will crank over just fine, but instead of firing up, about every second it will make a spluttering noise like it's about to fire, but then go back to just turning over. After using a bit of choke and turning it over for about 5-10 minutes it eventually fired up and ran perfectly. The strange thing is that if I then turn it off and try to start it again, it will start first time with no problems at all and run lovely. 

 

Today I have literally just repeated the entire process; head out to the garage, spend 5 minutes turning it over while spluttering, fire it up, all is well again.... What could be causing this? I've checked the plug condition/gaps, the fuel filter looks to be full of clean fuel (I have one of the glass ones fixed to the bulkhead), there are no leaks, the plug leads are nearly brand new, I can't find any loose connections on the coil and all wires seem solid, the engine earth strap is good, the battery connections and earth are good. 

 

Does this sound like fuel or electrical? Can anyone thing of anything I've missed? Maybe the coil, battery, or alternator are knackered? 

 

Additional info; The engine is a Metro 1275 A+ running an HIF44 and a leccy dizzy. It was fully rebuilt by KAD just over a year ago, and has done maybe 1500 miles tops 

 

Any help would be much appreciated 

 

Cheers

Chris

[Midas Mk1]

Tried a change of plugs? Over the winter when laid up, both mine were horrible and spluttery, running on 2/3 on first start up. Cleaned the plugs and each time this fixed it, doesnt help for me running cool plugs (bpr7's)

[Chris1992]

Tried a change of plugs? Over the winter when laid up, both mine were horrible and spluttery, running on 2/3 on first start up. Cleaned the plugs and each time this fixed it, doesnt help for me running cool plugs (bpr7's)

 

Yeah man plugs are good, gave them a good clean up and checked the gaps anyway but it doesn't seem to have made a difference :/

[Aaron3]

Sounds like it could be flooding itself will it start better if you put your foot to the floor? can you smell Petrol as you still as its turning over? Are the plugs wet after a bit of cranking? And have you checked for a good spark from cold?
Just a thought

[mk1coopers]

How old is the fuel in it ?

[Chris1992]

Sounds like it could be flooding itself will it start better if you put your foot to the floor? can you smell Petrol as you still as its turning over? Are the plugs wet after a bit of cranking? And have you checked for a good spark from cold?
Just a thought

 

Could be a good shout, It did seem to start better with a bit of throttle, and the plugs were wet the first time. What could be the culprit if this is the problem? Something as simple as the mixture being too rich? 

[Aaron3]

Possibly running rich what colour are the plugs after a good run? Sometimes the piston can stick open in the carb and needs a good clean with fresh oil in the dash pot

[Chris1992]

Possibly running rich what colour are the plugs after a good run? Sometimes the piston can stick open in the carb and needs a good clean with fresh oil in the dash pot

 

Usually nothing more that a light dusting of soot on the plugs, which is why I thought this current behavior was strange lol, will check the piston tomorrow and maybe replace the dashpot oil too.

 

 

How old is the fuel in it ?

 

I filled it from almost empty roughly 2 weeks ago so it's pretty fresh

[Chris1992]

update. It seems a dodgy coil was the root of my problem!