5 replies to this topic

[joseph]

Hi,

As the weather is now pretty bloody freezing I'm having difficulties starting my 1275GT, I've check and replaced the earth straps, got a new battery (as powerful as the local shop had - 340 cold cranking amps) and yet it still turns over very slowly. Not changed the starter but over summer the twin HS4 SUs on full choke meant it normally fired very quickly. However, now cold weather means it turns over slowly and not enough to kick it into life and then the continued cranking soon slows the battery into deadness. I was wondering if I need a slightly different starting setup from normal Mini as it is probably a bit higher compression now as a 1380 with big valve head and 286 cam, or are there different faster higher torque starter motors? Or, reading elsewhere on this forum do I just get a Peugeot diesel battery from Halfords?

Thanks in advance

Joe

[liirge]

What type of starter motor are you using?

[joseph]

Hi,

I would imagine it is standard - haven't been told otherwise by the previous owner. Are there different ones used as standard?

Cheers

Joe

[liirge]

there are 2 types of starter motor in standard form, Pre-engaged and Inertia

Pre-engaged

Inertia

[thebullet]

This was happening on mine, I put it down to the starter motor eventually as it was a new battery. Took the starter motor off and found this was the problem. I have the intertia type and I think it was down to a bearing gone in one of the magnets so it was actually rubbing on one of the magnets on the inside and draining the battery within a few seconds. Got it repaired now turns over amazingly fast!

I did many checks such as the earths. I connected 2 jump leads togethor so that they would reach from the negative on the battery to the engine block, if it turns over faster it's the earth strap which is at fault if not then look elsewhere

Hope this helps.

Matthew

Edited by thebullet, 14 December 2010 - 03:58 PM.

[liirge]

The old type sometimes develop a sticky bendix and other symptoms, but you can get a spanner on the end and turn the spindle unlike the later Pre-engaged my suggestion to you is...

get someone to turn the key to starter, whilst you hit the starter with a hammer, see if this helps...you'll be surprised!