14 replies to this topic

[zace66]

So Tom has serviced the mini - oil filter change & oil, new plugs and rotor arm to start with,

It was running before, but now the engine refuses to fire into life.  We have checked the order of the cables, the fact that each of the plus IS sparking - they are.

So what else could be wrong?

 

I will add some pics in the morning - it's a tad late now, but this is bothering us (And tomorrow is the Blackpool car show AND the Lytham classic car show!)

 

There are all sorts of odd cables in that engine bay that I cannot identify - there is one from the area of the distributor up to the right of the engine bay - i think it is supposed to go into a T junction but then I have no idea where that cable/tube goes, all I know is that its shattered but has been for a long time.

I cant smell excess fule and nothing is spilling inot the engine bay.

 

[mk1leg]

check dizzy cap and see if tabs inside are not corroded. check vac pipe is connected, condenser earth still attached, plugs leads in correct order 1-3-4-2 in anticlockwise order with No: 1 lead pointing to piston 1

[Retroman]

There are plenty of things it could be...

 

Was the dizzy moved or taken out ?

 

The cable / pipe could be the vacuum advance pipe which should run from the dizzy to the carb

 

Are the plugs the right type / grade, have they been gapped

 

What model are we looking at ?  electronic ignition ?

[zace66]

dizzy cap replaced - plugs checked and back in correct order

vacuum advance pipe - if that wasnt connected would it not start ?

[mpialan]

You say you cannot smell excess fuel. Are you getting fuel at all?

[absx2]

Try the original rotor arm as some new ones fail straight to earth immediately and others 2 miles down the road so its worth a go even though you have sparks .

Edited by absx2, 04 August 2019 - 12:08 PM.

[zace66]

So we put old dizzy cap and rotor arm back on.... not starting.

Alas accelerator cable snapped now. Sigh.

Fuel should be ok.... not touched that system as far a I know....

[cal844]

So we put old dizzy cap and rotor arm back on.... not starting.

Alas accelerator cable snapped now. Sigh.

Fuel should be ok.... not touched that system as far a I know....

The accelerator cable being snapped won't prevent the car from starting and running whilst on choke.

Get yourself to a bicycle repair shop for a universal rear gear cable, you'll need to cut it at the carb end but it will be perfect for what you need. I've used the gear cable as an accelerator cable for 6 years with no issues, all 3 of my minis have them to be honest. I've never paid more than £5 For one either, a cheap fix

[zace66]

ok - latest in the saga.

Open the carb drop in some fuel.... full choke... it fires up!

 

No accelerator.. so then just dies after a few seconds.

 

OK I know we can rev it by hand ... not got that fat yet - need to learn WHAT to push/pull and how safe....

 

BUT would it be the fuel filter that needs looking at or the fuel pump ?

How to test/check either?

[cal844]

I'd say pump first as that's most obvious

[cal844]

I'd say pump first as that's most obvious you simply take the supply line off at the float bowl, put it in a jar, start the motor and see what happens

[Retroman]

It does sound like a fuel issue,

 

If the vac advance is off, that will lean the mixture at tickover and alter the timing to make it tickeover like a pig on beans

[zace66]

Well Tom put the vacuum advance/retard pipe from the diz to the carb tonight - it still doesnt fire up

 

Cheers Cal ... er..... taking supply line off float bowl and into a jar.....

Hmm, does that mean take the line that goes into the carb from the fuel tank off - i presume it must split to put it inot a jar?  jar of fuel? or do i need to the find a bit of pipe to put into a jar of fuel into the carb OR if it just proving thast the carb is sending fule inot the engine and just an empty jar?

wow im a noob..

[cal844]

Well Tom put the vacuum advance/retard pipe from the diz to the carb tonight - it still doesnt fire up

Cheers Cal ... er..... taking supply line off float bowl and into a jar.....
Hmm, does that mean take the line that goes into the carb from the fuel tank off - i presume it must split to put it inot a jar? jar of fuel? or do i need to the find a bit of pipe to put into a jar of fuel into the carb OR if it just proving thast the carb is sending fule inot the engine and just an empty jar?
wow im a noob..

You remove the fuel line from the tank from the top of the float bowl, position a clean, empty jar so that you can catch the fuel then try to start the engine.

You are checking that the fuel pump is working

[zace66]

Ah cool.... will this make a sucking sound etc?