13 replies to this topic

[Little Miss B]

Hello

I have an old E reg mini with electronic igntion and a manual choke. I haven't drove my mini for a few weeks but tried to start it today an the choke is stuck. I can't seem to pull it out but I can turn it to lock and unlock it. The car turns over though.

Any ideas how to fix this?

Many thanks
Emma

[lrostoke]

Sounds like the cable as corroded inside the outer section. A bit of brute force may free it.
Maybe shaking the cable along its length will be enough to break any corrision or
could try disconnecting from carb end, holding that end up and spraying some wd40 into it.

I'd be suprised if it was a problem with the carb. Normally plenty of oil gets on them keep them free.

[Little Miss B]

Thanks Irostoke.

I've just had a new carb and engine fitted so I know it's not that. I have got quite a big oil leak under the car which I'm told by the garage is probably a seal which has gone. I'm very low on oil so I wondered if the lack of oil has caused it to stick.

[lrostoke]

No the choke is operated by a cable that runs from the dash to the carb. If they used the old cable when fitting the new carb.and it was a bit dry inside the sheathing only takes a bit of damp and it to sit unused to seize the cable in the sheath.

The cable will be the one that runs from the carb to roughly the middle of the bulkhead. If you operate the carb end manually by hand you will tell if its sticking there.

Edited by lrostoke, 06 May 2011 - 10:51 AM.

[Little Miss B]

Hi Irostoke

I can see the cable running from the dashboard, through the bulkhead and up to/connected to the carb. The cable seems fine, in good condition and moves around freely as does the level thing it's on. It's the choke handle inside the car that I'm having trouble with, I can't pull it out to start the mini but I can turn it to lock and unlock it. It's running really lean so needs the extra fuel to start.

Any ideas?

Thanks
Emma

[lrostoke]

There isn't much to the cable really.
Behind that handle is a length of metal rod about 3 inch long which is flat on one side the cable is fixed to the end of the rod and the whole lot slides into an outer cable shieth.
Appart from the cable seizing in the shieth not a lot to go wrong. Have you tried twisting and pulling in both directions.

Check its not managed to touch the exhaust at any point, this can melt the outer shieth.
Another thing to check for is frayed strands at the carb end, these could jam and stop it pulling out

Edited by lrostoke, 06 May 2011 - 03:58 PM.

[Ethel]

Is the outer turning with the knob? If the lever on the carb moves freely you might need to drop the heater and look at the cable.

[lrostoke]

aaahhh good point missed that :)Look where the knob is you will see a small round piece where the cable outer section attaches to the switch panel. Turn the knob and watch if that bit turns.
Behind that panel is a large nut may have come loose allowing whole lot to turn

[Little Miss B]

OK, I'm going to go and investigate it again.

Back soon, thanks!

[Little Miss B]

Fixed! It turns out I wasn't giving it enough brute force I pulled it out and she just started up!

Many thanks for both your help, I really appreciate it

Emma

[lrostoke]

ha ha ha I said use brute force at the start good its going though

[Little Miss B]

Yeah my first efforts at brute force were ridiculous. Getting to the point were I was losing my temper worked

[minibarnerz]

What's it they say about if you can't fix it with a hammer, get a bigger one!!

[kazza0320]

What's it they say about if you can't fix it with a hammer, get a bigger one!!

haha that saying comes in useful all the time, and i always associate it with Jeremy Clarkson after all the top gear challenges