9 replies to this topic

[freshairmini]

1990 rover mini cooper with stage 1


Hi,

I've been having this problem for a while now, every time i go to drive it it starts up fine, then after about a minute of driving, so heating up time, it cuts out and drifts to a stop and the red light comes on.

I think it may be electrical but not sure what because but I fitted a new 70amp alternator prlly about a month or two ago so I don't think its that, I also replaced all the ht leads, dizzy cap (electronic type) and spark plugs about a month and a bit ago for its service and I also changed the coil thinking it was that about a day ago, but it still is doing it.

When it cuts out I tested the spark from the spark plugs by taking them out and put the ht lead back on and touching it to a stud and turning the ignition over and finding that i'm still getting spark when its stationary.

so I'm pretty frustrated and clueless at to what it could be?!?!?

does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with it?

Thanks

[TopCatCustom]

I wouldn't have thought it was electrical, the red light only comes on because the engine has stopped and the alternator is not charging.

Does it start once it has cut out and run again for a short period or once it's warm does it just die until cold again? Is it carb or injection?

[freshairmini]

I wouldn't have thought it was electrical, the red light only comes on because the engine has stopped and the alternator is not charging.

Does it start once it has cut out and run again for a short period or once it's warm does it just die until cold again? Is it carb or injection?

It is carbed, and when its died you can leave it for about 30sec's to a minute so it will still be warm but it'll start right up again, but then die about a minute or two after, so its kinda stop start. and this happens when driving not idling

and when it is going it idles ok, not great, but that more down to the carb not being set up after the new exhaust and manifold.

the reason I thought it was an electrical problem was when it does cut out when driving you can pump the throttle and it doesn't rev at all.

but maybe it isn't electrical, not sure, I've got a mechanical fuel pump and i was told there pretty bomb proof, so doubt its that

so god know what it is

[freshairmini]

c'mon some one must have an idea?!?

[Carlos W]

It could be dirt in the carb, or some other fuelling issue!

Not being set up after the new exhaust and manifold may not be helping!

Are there any leaks in the manifold joints?

I would doubt it's electrical!

[TopCatCustom]

I'd say its a fuel starvation problem, leaving it after it's dies gives fuel a chance to get into the float chamber again and when driving it's running out hence lack of revving and cut's out until full again. Electric fuel pump or mechanical?

[Carlos W]

I'd say its a fuel starvation problem, leaving it after it's dies gives fuel a chance to get into the float chamber again and when driving it's running out hence lack of revving and cut's out until full again. Electric fuel pump or mechanical?

Mechanical fuel pump! It says in one of the posts! I had a motorbike with a sticky float in tue carb which did exactly this! Slightly different as their gravity fed fuel, but it didn't get enough to keep it running

[TopCatCustom]

oops my bad, I'd strip the carb and clean

[freshairmini]

Yeh thinking about it, and the fact it doesn't rev when it stops, prlly would mean fuel starvation then it filling up again And then starting fine.

Thanks guys for your help!

[theminiproject]

I had a similar problem with a MG Metro, it had been standing for a few month, it turned out to be a blocked fuel pipe.... leave a while fuel would seep through and it would be fine until the pipes emptied again. I blew them out with a bike pump...problem sorted