6 replies to this topic

[ReadySalted]

During the three or four lovely months I've had my mini, driving in the rain has always been an absolute nightmare. Its an 88 mayfair with 68000 miles on the clock, always ran soundly however in the wet it just drives for 10 minutes, then starts spluttering and misfiring, until it becomes undrivable and I have to pull in, and wait for it to dry out or stop raining. It's happened a good few times now, most recently, I had just started a 3 and a half hour drive back home, and the weather was horrendous the car spluttered to a stop 10 miles into the drive, and when I'd waited for 15 mins and the car wouldn't even start, I aranged recovery.
Fortunately after a further 15 mins, the car managed to start, the rain lightened, and we made it home with no real problems.

Now, I'm well aware that this has to be caused by water getting to the electics, either the dizzy or the ht leads. I'm not sure what to do, my old man says that the ht leads won't need replacing, as they'll last the lifetime of the car, but could possibly do with a good spray of engine sealant or wd40. I'm off out to buy a new dizzy cap and rotor arm, because this one is badly corroded, and hopefully that should sort out the probs.

I was just wondering, what else could it be, that most people wouldn't think of, and what else could I do to get around it. I've seen those rain gaurds, but I'm not paying 25 quid for one, I'd sooner make my own.
Cheers guys. Happy tootling

[mk3cortina]

ive mentioned this to others a few times. get a washing up glove, cut the tips off the fingers, thread the ignition leads through the fingers, cable tie the cuff of the glove behind the dizzy so its a tight seal, and do the same on each of the finger tips around the ignition lead.

[cagy]

Rainguard for £18 at http://minipartsuk.c...ini-3489-0.html

or you go for the plastic glove or bag over dizzy cap???

[miniman44]

Then start making one because I think you'll find thats the answer.The Mayfair my lady had, drowned out three times between Bridgend and The Severn.When she finally got back to Wallington,a day late,she had a rain guard fitted and cured the problem.She always carried a can of WD40 after that,but never needed it.
A new set of HT leads and caps wouldn't hurt,nor would a switch to electronic ignition,but try the guard,leads and caps first.I haven't tried the rubber glove trick it might work.
I had to replace plugs,leads and caps on my Virago,just the sight of a cloud would start her spluttering.I also carry a can of WD40,just incase.

[joewb]

Then start making one because I think you'll find thats the answer.The Mayfair my lady had, drowned out three times between Bridgend and The Severn.When she finally got back to Wallington,a day late,she had a rain guard fitted and cured the problem.She always carried a can of WD40 after that,but never needed it.
A new set of HT leads and caps wouldn't hurt,nor would a switch to electronic ignition,but try the guard,leads and caps first.I haven't tried the rubber glove trick it might work.
I had to replace plugs,leads and caps on my Virago,just the sight of a cloud would start her spluttering.I also carry a can of WD40,just incase.

I'm from Wallington! what's your mini look like? Seen a few around.

But yeah rain guard is really worth it, £20 odd spent but you don't stop driving when it's wet

[maggies_minder]

you should be able to get a rain guard super cheap at shows.

[minidan]

the ht leads won't need replacing, as they'll last the lifetime of the car

i doubt it...