52 replies to this topic

[73MiniSport]

Hello! I'm new to this forum, I have MINI 1275 COOPER SPORT REPLICA registered as a 1973 that I bought and imported from Cambridgeshire Classic Cars Ltd. here is the link.... http://www.classicca....uk/KAX493L.htm

I have had the car for about a month now and it just seems slow for a 1275. The car runs between N and H and creeps closer to H the longer the car runs. My fiance, who has a 1977 1340 Leyland Mini has adjusted the mixture, cleaned the carb, checked all the wiring...everything in the Haynes that he can think of!

There aren't many specialists here in the US (driveable distance anyway), the one closest to us has looked over the car and visually checked the timing and everything else...couldn't quite figure it out. He said to replace the carb but another specialist told us it was fine. We don't know what to do. My fiance is very handy and does most of the work himself...so any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Note - if you look at the engine from left to right the #3 cylinder spark plug at idle runs better when it is disconnected. The car has an HIF carb. The engine does not sound normal until it gets to a higher RPM...where it sounds fine. Thank you!

[supermotolee]

try swapping the leads with the ones off your partners car maybe its a faulty lead or ht cap take the plugs out check the gaps maybe its too big and your having sparking problems at low rpm not sure about the heat problem though
the car looks very nice hope you get it sorted

[73MiniSport]

He is going to try that right now....
Additional note...
I have electronic ignition and he has points.
Thanks so much for the suggestion!

[miniman5]

..everything in the Haynes that he can think of!

ahh, this is the problem....


hehe seriously though, the temperature and humididty you get there is prety imence for a little mini, and a 1275 engien needs all the cooling it can get, i would chage the hoses and flush the rad and all the engine, i would check your water daily, then you know its not that. also, check if there is a thermostat in there, if not i would buy one!

[73MiniSport]

It is unbelievably hot and humid in Florida USA!

[73MiniSport]

Swapping the leads between our Minis did not make a difference for either car.

[73MiniSport]

Head gasket??

[miniman5]

i would put a 4 core rad in teh car to, yours will be 3 at the momment, this will improove colling efficiancey, and also cut the one inner wing away where the rad is and fit an electrical fan!

[73MiniSport]

His runs @ 190-195 degrees F in the same weather conditions, and he has a 1340.

[royallingham]

Get a compression test on the 4 cylinders - to check the general condition of the engine. For the cooling - first check is to fit a low temeperature (72 deg C) thermostat - and flush out the radiator - internally and externally.

[Madmax]

what fan is cooling the system? is it a 4 blade export fan? used by austin for minis that were exported to hotter climates like yours. when i went to florida last year, i was amazed to see quite a few minis clattering about in that kind of heat and humidity

[73MiniSport]

The fan is stock and blowing in the correct direction. People here have had problems with tropical and electric fans for some reason. Next time you're in Florida send me an e mail!

[Dan]

Sounds like it's running a little lean in three to me. Can't explain why it would be lean in just one cylinder though, unless it's got a dodgy inlet valve or seat, broken cam follower or something like that. This would explain the increased heat, poor running, lack of power and why disconecting three helps it out (essentially just turning cylinder three into a pump) and why it sorts it out at higher revs. It could be a head gasket problem also, but that would have some other signs normally. Worth checking the gasket out if nothing else helps.

If you are going to use a new rad, then use the two core rather than the four core. Definitely use the six blade fan and the correct thermostat and carb needle for your location but in general high ambient temperatures shouldn't be a problem for a Mini.

Cambridgeshire Classics are a good company, and if they were designing this car to be sent to Florida I would expect them to have fitted it out correctly with all the right parts.

[77LeylandMini]

I have been fiddling with the HIF carb on there- personaly, I hate it compared to the carb I have. After an hour of what I thought was richening it up, it seemed to be leaner yet!! I am hoping I am right that on the HIF turning the screw in richens the mixture?!
By the way- Im her mechanic/fiance/cook/lover haHa

Thanks for all of the help!!

[Guess-Works.com]

Yes you're right about the mixtrure screw, clockwise looking at it, richens.. There also very little which can go wrong with the HIF carb so I would not replace it, but maybe worth getting a service kit send over from Burlen (link to website)

Can you tell the origins of the engine, as I doubt it's of mini origin, does it have an engine number, and what sort of octane fuel are you using ?