8 replies to this topic

[will2009]

Hi,

I recently bought a 1275 a+ metro engine, i have no idea what condition this was in and whether it works, i have been told it does but im not sure.

I am trying to turn the engine by hand, the starter motor engages, but it doesnt seem to fire up.

I have changed the spark plugs and checked ht leads, can someone confirm that the ht lead order is the same as engines from minis.

Oil level is just below MIN, could this be the problem?

I tried turning the engine without spark plugs and oil does seem to be pumping up to the cylinder head.

Also on the carburettor I have the fuel pipe and air pipe, and the small pipe that runs to the distributor connected and thats it, am i missing something else on the carb? its HIF44. Fuel is going into the carb but not sure where its going from there on. Think it may be sitting where the float is.

The engine came with the manifold and exhaust, but exhaust is cut off at the front pipes, when I try turning the engine i feel air coming out of the exhaust.

The engine is not in a car I am doing these tests with the engine on the floor.

Any ideas why it wont fire up?

[icklemini]

Check

compression.. (is there any on all cylinders?)
fuel..(is it pumping up to the carb?, what state of tune is the carb in / fuel mixture?)
ignition...(correctly wired up?, getting a spark?, timing?, etc)

[mk1leg]

Hi..to check timming leads are 1-3-4-2 in anticlockwise order with NO:1 lead at o'clock and check if dizzy drive is in correct position.........



good luck...........

[will2009]

Check

compression.. (is there any on all cylinders?)
fuel..(is it pumping up to the carb?, what state of tune is the carb in / fuel mixture?)
ignition...(correctly wired up?, getting a spark?, timing?, etc)

to check compression i was told to turn the engine without spark plugs in and take the rocker cover off, and see if oil was pumping out. Oil is pumping out, is there a better way to check this?

fuel is pumping up the carb, not sure if its getting blocked where the float is.

how can i check for a spark? I was thinking of plugging colortune in and see if i can see a spark that way?

[icklemini]

to check compression i was told to turn the engine without spark plugs in and take the rocker cover off, and see if oil was pumping out. Oil is pumping out, is there a better way to check this

Thats oil pressure/pumping...

need to check for cylinder pressure... take plugs out, and ideally with a compression gauge - screw this into each cylinder spark plug hole and crank the engine... you should see 100+ psi of pressure.. do this on each cylinder..

how can i check for a spark? I was thinking of plugging colortune in and see if i can see a spark that way?

Disconnect the coil king lead (the HT lead from the coil to the dissy) and pop a screw in the end of the lead... with insulated pliers: hold the lead (with its protruding screw) close to the engine block. crank engine and you should see a spark. (NOTE: dont do this if there are petrol vapours in the air!)

[finch661]

another way (the same as above), first check that there is a spark coming out the coil, take the coil lead and just lead it against the block, you should see is spark. then try each of the four plucg cables. i had dodgy sparks from 1 and 4 when i fitted my 1500 engine in my midget, turned out that my dizzy cap was knackered.

as mentioned above, check you static timing, i put the leads on the wrong points, and wondered why my car ran rough... LOL

[will2009]

to check compression i was told to turn the engine without spark plugs in and take the rocker cover off, and see if oil was pumping out. Oil is pumping out, is there a better way to check this

Thats oil pressure/pumping...

need to check for cylinder pressure... take plugs out, and ideally with a compression gauge - screw this into each cylinder spark plug hole and crank the engine... you should see 100+ psi of pressure.. do this on each cylinder..

how can i check for a spark? I was thinking of plugging colortune in and see if i can see a spark that way?

Disconnect the coil king lead (the HT lead from the coil to the dissy) and pop a screw in the end of the lead... with insulated pliers: hold the lead (with its protruding screw) close to the engine block. crank engine and you should see a spark. (NOTE: dont do this if there are petrol vapours in the air!)

I have checked each cylinder pressure its at about 180 PSI.

I have tried testing for a spark and havnt seen any sparks at all, what does this mean? Could it be the distributor?

[998dave]

The engine is not in a car I am doing these tests with the engine on the floor.

How are you earthing everything? Like the engine or coil to battery. Suspect a lack of spark.

Dave

[finch661]

well no spark, could be a coil failure. check your getting voltage to the coil. remember the coil creates the spark, the distibutor sends the spark to the plugs. start from scratch. 12V to coil coil to dizzy lead should spark (agains the block (check earthing strap) )= dizzy to plugs there should be a spark!

its a systematic fault finding approach!