13 replies to this topic

[Pelvisgt]

I'll give the best description of the problem I can with my limited knowledge :

1990 rover cooper mini (1275 carb)

Within the last week the car has become louder, more of a helicopter noise, which is kinda of the mini engine noise I know but it seems to be getting worse.

Today after dropping my girlfriend off at work the car just cut out. It was struggling at idle before because it was at around 500 revs and 'cugging'.

Also pulling away seems a struggle now as it used feel lively.


Now the spark plugs were changed 2 weeks ago and oil changed and new filter Friday so everything in that order is ok. Only thing is that yesterday whilst flushing the system when pulling one of the pipes off water might have gone on to one of the spark plugs (first one on the left). I will have a look at that once the car has cooled down.

My next idea is maybe the manifold or some pipe work maybe loose causing this noise to occur, as I had a manifold on another car that came loose and was a similar noise.

My other idea is maybe the engine has blown and the piston is slapping.


Can anyone shed any light on the problem I know its hard from this description.

Thank you

[chappy]

I'd check all the spark plug gaps, one might be totally bent, causing it not to spark.

as you've said, check the whole exhaust system too, manifold back. you haven't said weather its an after market exhaust system or standard, but i've had problems with my maniflow manifold where the welds have cracked at the branch section and its snapped.


Sam

[greensilver mini]

I'll give the best description of the problem I can with my limited knowledge :

1990 rover cooper mini (1275 carb)

Within the last week the car has become louder, more of a helicopter noise, which is kinda of the mini engine noise I know but it seems to be getting worse.

Today after dropping my girlfriend off at work the car just cut out. It was struggling at idle before because it was at around 500 revs and 'cugging'.

Also pulling away seems a struggle now as it used feel lively.


Now the spark plugs were changed 2 weeks ago and oil changed and new filter Friday so everything in that order is ok. Only thing is that yesterday whilst flushing the system when pulling one of the pipes off water might have gone on to one of the spark plugs (first one on the left). I will have a look at that once the car has cooled down.

My next idea is maybe the manifold or some pipe work maybe loose causing this noise to occur, as I had a manifold on another car that came loose and was a similar noise.

My other idea is maybe the engine has blown and the piston is slapping.


Can anyone shed any light on the problem I know its hard from this description.

Thank you

did you take the fan off by any chance??

[Pelvisgt]

Yeah sorry its an after market exhaust but judging by the the red tint to the manifold i think its standard.

I will check the plugs in a minute.

No I didn't take the fan off, In the end I took the pipe that goes from the carb to the head off and drained in that way as there was no way to get to the radiator bottom hose.

I will check the fan hasn't stopped working or been knocked for some reason.

[Pelvisgt]

Went and cleaned the spark plugs and started it and it seemed alot better.

I found a wire that looks as if it snapped off and was burnt.

I will post a picture of it in a minute.

[Pelvisgt]

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I took a picture of the engine bay as I found this wiring just hanging and was wondering what it is meant to be connected to.

The red arrow shows what it is attached to and the green arrow shows the end of it where it has been burnt/cut off.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Thanks

[pablo_agogo]

vacuum advance pipe. Goes to an inlet on the carb.
If the ends are 'burnt' closed maybe you'll find the end from the carb the same. Some peeps do this as a mod, or a quick fix. Seal both broken ends of the pipe until you can replace.

Are you sure you tightened the spark plugs down correctly - this may cause the sound you heard?

Edited by pablo_agogo, 06 July 2010 - 01:00 PM.

[Pelvisgt]

Oh ok ill have a look mate.

Well I have done them hand tight with a tool as I wasnt sure how tight they need to be.
Does it have a torque setting or is it just as tight as you can do it by hand?

Thanks again everyone.

[pablo_agogo]

There probably is a torque setting, but I don't have it to hand.... I usually hand tighten then just another nip - approx 14.8lbs

[Pelvisgt]

yeah thats what its like now really.


Another thing which I forgot to say was in traffic the yellow oil pressure light was flickering but went away when I was moving. When I say it was flickering it was really flickering really fast then went but theres always been enough oil in the car and always has been.

I will have to take it for a drive and see what its like I think

Edited by Pelvisgt, 06 July 2010 - 02:31 PM.

[Pelvisgt]

just tried to move it out the garage and it feels like crap and when I switched the car on the yellow oil pressure light stays on briefly for 1-2 seconds... I think it might be real bad

[pablo_agogo]

Mate, its hard to suggest things to check unless you can confirm all the pipe work and leads etc are connected and without leaks.
Go back to basics:
Check plugs are cleaned and gapped correctly.
Remove dizzy cap and check/clean internally - clean/check points (if fitted).
Remove all HT leads - wipe clean/dry.
Reinstate the vacuum pipe or block accordingly.
Check air filter is clean
Check carb linkage is free moving
Visual check on all pipes for cracks/leaks
Check timing: static or strobe

Make sure your engine steady isn't knacked. If theres movement in the engine this will lead to exhaust failure at some point.
The oil light should illuminate briefly then extinguish once the engine starts. A compression tester will give you an idea as to the health of the engine if you have one. Do you know the recent history of the lump?
I'm just thinking aloud here but it may be that the oil pump is starting to fail or the pickup in the sump is blocked with some crud, but I'm guessing that this isn't why the car feels so underpowered of late.

Soz mate; Wish I could be more help...

[Pelvisgt]

Yeah mate its a case of going over that.

Tomorrow a friend at a garage is running a compression test on the engine to see if it is ok.

Then if so its a case of going through everything and checking what works.

That wire that I previously posted up, is that an important wire as if does look as if it has been burnt in 2 by the head ??


Fingers crossed the engines ok !!

Thanks again mate for your help on the matter

[pablo_agogo]

That wire that I previously posted up, is that an important wire as if does look as if it has been burnt in 2 by the head

It's more of a hollow tube than wire. It measures the vacuum created in the carb as required and adjusts the timing accordingly. It has been know for people to block this especially when 'tuning' their cars - not really necessary on a 'slightly warmed' road car. I would take a flame (lighter) to the broken end and warm gently until the end is closed - do this again on the carb end also. If the pipe is missing carb end; find a temporary bung to block this.t