5 replies to this topic

[smtb1983]

Hi,

I only past my test 6 months ago and my 1983 Austin Mini was my first car so I know very little and I'm new to this so bear with me please!

Ok, my mini has been running fine since I got her but recently she's been misbehaving. When I accelerate it's VERY jerky and very slow (1-5 mph even after a few minutes with my foot to the floor) and I think she's going to stall but somehow doesn't, I start her using the choke and when I shove the choke back in it helps a tiny bit. She does this 'jerky' and loss of power from starting but also once she's been going a while and has warmed up (this week I had been on the motorway for about 30 mins and she slowed right down to 30mph and started jerking for no apparent reason!).

I don't drive every day and I don't have a garage so could it be the cold weather and the rain? Also this started happening the day after I put tesco's 99 petrol in instead of the 95 and there still might be a tiny bit left in the engine so could this be the cause?

Basically what I'm saying is I know Mini's are notoriously stroppy in the cold and wet (who isn't!) but I don't know if this is normal behaviour and once it warms up all will be ok again, or if I screwed things up with the petrol incident, or if it's something else entirely and I need to get her checked out....

Almost forgot, today when I'd let the engine warm up I pulled off and stalled, then stalled again then she did the jerky thing then twice a big puff of dark grey smoke popped out the exhaust! This was new!! Does that shed light on the problem?

Does she need a blanket and a rain cover or is a trip to the garage in order?

Any help/advice would be much appreciated!!!

Thanks

[jaydee]

Your mini needs some service..runs like you have a clogged air filter or something wrong with fuelling..when i good working order a mini should run like a rocket after 30 mins of motorway, even in cold weather. They have a great resistance in cold and rainy weather, just compare them to old fiats..
About petrol 99 ron fuel is better than 95ron, being a 1983 mini, your a series engine is designed for 97ron fuel, which means you can use 97+ ron, and engine wont run fine if petrol has less than 97 ron.
Start replacing the usual things: air filter, points, condenser, ht leads, spark plugs, oil and do some carb servicing.

[smtb1983]

Start replacing the usual things: air filter, points, condenser, ht leads, spark plugs, oil and do some carb servicing.

Hi,

Is that what would have been done at the service when it was MOT'd? I had a service in July so should I have a look myself (with the Haynes manual!) and see? Will it be obvious if it's those things? Sorry, I really don't know too much....Would a garage be safer for a total novice?!

[huw_jenks]

Start replacing the usual things: air filter, points, condenser, ht leads, spark plugs, oil and do some carb servicing.

Hi,

Is that what would have been done at the service when it was MOT'd? I had a service in July so should I have a look myself (with the Haynes manual!) and see? Will it be obvious if it's those things? Sorry, I really don't know too much....Would a garage be safer for a total novice?!

If you took it to a garage and asked them to service it, that's the sort of things they should do. But it's not like you need any of those things to get an MOT, so they might no have bothered and just checked it over for anything that would make it fail MOT.

And don't bother taking it to a garage (well, not yet). The first couple of chapters of the Haynes manual should tell you everything you need, we were all novices once. I would also add to that list, setting the valve clearances.

[smtb1983]

OK thanks! I'll brave the rain, get the manual out and have a good look. Thanks for all the help!

[taffy1967]

Also make sure your Mini has it's ignition shield fitted in place.

A 1983 Mini would have come equipped with a moulded plastic cover that's screwed to the rear of the front panel and it'll be there to give protection to the distributer.

If it's missing, try and get a replacement from Mini Spares or Somerford Minis. Alternatively you could fit the later larger type that covers everything: -

Click Me

I agree that the electrics might need a service/replacing and it's nothing a beginner or novice can't do. Well if I can do it then anyone can. But try and get a copy of this book as it'll tell you all that needs doing in plain English and with loads of clearly illustrated images: -



It's available from Amazon or cheaper off e-Bay.

Either way a well serviced Mini will take on anything and heavy rain shouldn't be a problem.

Edited by taffy1967, 26 November 2009 - 09:04 PM.