5 replies to this topic

[DanRobinson]

hi,

my mini recently started to loose power and someone suggested that it was noly firing on 3 cylinders. could this be the cause?
also, if it is then how do i get this started and what causes this to occur?

thanks in advance.
Model:Advantage
Year:'87
Description of problem (please be as in depth as possible):



Any non-standard parts that might be involved with the problem?

[L400RAS]

I would actually confirm that it is only firing on 3, rather than going on a suggestion. If it is only running on 3, this could be an electrical problem (HT lead / plug etc) or it could be a sign of head gasket failure, or perhaps something else.

[brightkermit]

Just check the usual......loose wires, poor contacts on dizzy cap, clean the plugs
I know it sounds like teaching granny to suck eggs but each time mine done that, just a loose wire somewhere!
Failing that as above, get it checked out.

[JakeJakeJake]

Firstly be carefull don't shock yourself, it's very painfull and does you no good. Apparantly you should put your spare hand in you back pocket rather than touching something, stop the current going across your heart.

If it is just one, take each HT lead of the plugs in turn, 3 will make the engine run worse, 1 of them will make no difference. That is the dodgey cylinder.

Firstly take a spare spark plug (one that works) and plug it into the disconected HT lead (engine off), rest it on the block somewhere, fire it up and check for a spark. No spark then most likely HT lead is no good. If it does spark then the plug is dead.

I had this problem and thats ^, how I fixed it, I replaced all the plugs as I though if ones gone might aswell do them all, also found that ebay was the cheapest for plugs, about a third of the price of everywhere else (local motor factors, minispares/sport etc.)

Another thing you can try is check the resistance of your HT leads it should be almost nothing, continuity tests are no good as they may be conected but with a great resistance.

Finally it is really not good to run the engine on three cylinders, the fourth will still be getting petrol in it which can cause all sorts of damage.

[DanRobinson]

thanks all

Firstly be carefull don't shock yourself, it's very painfull and does you no good. Apparantly you should put your spare hand in you back pocket rather than touching something, stop the current going across your heart.

If it is just one, take each HT lead of the plugs in turn, 3 will make the engine run worse, 1 of them will make no difference. That is the dodgey cylinder.

Firstly take a spare spark plug (one that works) and plug it into the disconected HT lead (engine off), rest it on the block somewhere, fire it up and check for a spark. No spark then most likely HT lead is no good. If it does spark then the plug is dead.

I had this problem and thats ^, how I fixed it, I replaced all the plugs as I though if ones gone might aswell do them all, also found that ebay was the cheapest for plugs, about a third of the price of everywhere else (local motor factors, minispares/sport etc.)

Another thing you can try is check the resistance of your HT leads it should be almost nothing, continuity tests are no good as they may be conected but with a great resistance.

Finally it is really not good to run the engine on three cylinders, the fourth will still be getting petrol in it which can cause all sorts of damage.

i take it your name is jake.

ill have to give this stuff a go. its currently with our mechanic having a bit of bodywork done and he found that the compression test came back with low results. im wondering if taht could be anything to do with it.

he mentioned something about a headgasket maybe being the problem but im not 100% yet.

[minimanjay]

hi mate i had this problem does the min run differently when chokes out to when its nrmally idling i justsay same as above take each lead off till it makes n differnce dont swap leadsa bout just take one off at a tim change the leads but if ur havn ignition problem migt aswell change ya points rotory arm an leads wont do i any harm wht size ht leads u doin thicker and shorter the better