19 replies to this topic

[Rachael]

Mini Mayfair 998
1991

I have searched for someone with the same problem I'm having but just can't find anything! So sorry if there is already a topic like this but i just can't find it!
Basically, my mini is playing up, but not all the time only when it wants to.
When trying to pull off i get no power whatsoever, my foot could be to the floor and the car just rolls with no revs at all, after 8-10 seconds everything kicks in and the car finally moves!
It does this in every other gear as well, whenever i change gear it just delays for about 10 secs then the revs kick in.
I thought it might be associated with the weather getting colder, but it happened earlier after i had been driving for about 20 mins and the car was warm, briefly turned off the car to go into my house, 10 mins later came back out and tried to drive off and it happened again!

A couple of weeks ago my acceleration pedal started feeling strange as well, as if there was something stopping it, like sponge behind the pedal. I could still press it, it just felt different. I had no problems at the time though so didn't think much to it, but could this be linked or is this just irrelevant?

This is my first car let alone my first mini and I have noooo idea what it is! And will it get any worse?
Thanks!
Rachael.

Edited by Rachael, 03 December 2009 - 09:35 PM.

[Shifty]

It may be that your clutch is slipping?

Put the car in 4th gear and release the clutch, if it stalls the clutch is ok, if the engine revs increase then a clutch may be needed.

[Rachael]

Yeah I will try that, but I thought when your clutch starts slipping the car revs and doesnt go anywhere? Because im not getting any revs at all just the idle ones, if that makes any sense?

[Shifty]

Sorry then my bad, I must have mis-read your post!!

[sarah g]

New throttle cable maybe?

[Adcuz]

What breed is it? MPi? SPi? Carb?

[nicksuth]

Check your throttle linkage - get someone to operate the accelerator pedal while you look at the carb, throttle cable and linkage to see if it's all free, also check the outer part of the cable to see if its located correctly and that the inner slides okay - bit of WD40 all over would help (not while engine running or manifold still hot though !!) You will probably need to remove the filter box to see things clearly?

Failing that, find someone local on here to take it to, I'm a bit too far at Lutterworth!

[taffy1967]

Or perhaps the electrics need a service/renewal? So that'll be new Spark Plugs, HT Leads, Distributor Cap, Rotor Arm, Contact Breaker Points and a new Condenser.

Has your Mini got a weather shield covering the electrics? You'll know as it'll be a black plastic shield that's held in place (on the rocker cover) by plastic tabs/buttons.

Just like these: -

Click Me

Nice clean and dry electrics are good. Dirty, damp and worn out electrics are bad news.

The cold weather also causes any little problems to become magnified too. So that may be what's wrong and don't forget to put some oil in the carb dashpot.

[taffy1967]

What breed is it? MPi? SPi? Carb?

A 1991 Mini Mayfair will have come with a HS4 carburettor.

[jonny d]

i had that once and it turned out to be a rubber hose breaking down on the fuel supply and blocking the fuel valve in the carb

[taffy1967]

Check your throttle linkage - get someone to operate the accelerator pedal while you look at the carb, throttle cable and linkage to see if it's all free, also check the outer part of the cable to see if its located correctly and that the inner slides okay - bit of WD40 all over would help (not while engine running or manifold still hot though !!) You will probably need to remove the filter box to see things clearly?

Failing that, find someone local on here to take it to, I'm a bit too far at Lutterworth!

I tend to use 3in1 oil to lubricate the carb linkages. WD40 either dries out or attracts dirt and grime.

[nicksuth]

It could be so many things, really needs someone with a bit of knowledge to look at it.

WD40 is great stuff but not a cure for everything (but nearly !!) always keep a can in the car over winter, well all the time actually !!!

[taffy1967]

It could be so many things, really needs someone with a bit of knowledge to look at it.

WD40 is great stuff but not a cure for everything (but nearly !!) always keep a can in the car over winter, well all the time actually !!!

To be honest I carry a little can of WD40 too just in case. But if I had to use it on the electrics (I haven't up to now) due to them getting soaking wet or whatever, I'd be sure to clean it all off when I got home and consider replacing the electrical components.

[nicksuth]

i had that once and it turned out to be a rubber hose breaking down on the fuel supply and blocking the fuel valve in the carb

Good thinking, could be a fuel filter blocking maybe? or as you say, could be flexible fuel pipe nipping through vacuum ??

[taffy1967]

I don't think a 1991 Mini Mayfair came with a fuel filter. Not unless someone has added one as a mod?