17 replies to this topic

[alsy]

Hi, I have a 1989 mini and when I pull out the choke, the needle? Underneath the carb doesn't return to its normal position when the chokes pushed back in, if I push it back in my hand the car runs fine.

Is there anything I can do to fix this, if not what carb should I go for? Another SU or should I upgrade?

Thanks

[Ethel]

It should be an easy enough fix. What does the cable do at the carb end?

Does it form a loop?
Is there any springiness when you move jet by hand?
Is the choke knob harder to pull out?

Seized linkage somewhere, missing/broken return spring, bent jet - all possibilities and much cheaper than a new carb.

[dklawson]

The HS series carb with a "standard" (non-Waxstat) carb can sometimes have choke linkage parts that become bent. If the cable itself checks out as Ethel suggests, you may want to consider removing the carb from the car and examining it on the bench. With some careful tweaking and a little bit of light oil you should be able to correct this situation.

[alsy]

The choke is harder to pull out for sure, but pulls out and works as it should, but the when pushed back in the cable just kinda bends up and the spring bit doesn't return so the cars acting as if the chokes still out.

I'm changing the head and almost everything but the short block that's why I was thinking of a new carb, il have a double check tomorrow see if I can solve it as I didn't really have a proper look today I was busy undersealing, it may just be getting caught on someone when pulled out but the spring looks like it doesn't even try to return.

Edited by alsy, 12 December 2012 - 06:26 PM.

[dklawson]

If you are pulling the head off anyway, I would go ahead and work on the carb first before investing in a new one. I have experienced similar problems on HS2 carbs and by trial and error re-shaping of the choke linkage (the bent sheet metal attached to the jet) I was able to free things up enough.

[Barman]

The choke is harder to pull out for sure, but pulls out and works as it should, but the when pushed back in the cable just kinda bends up and the spring bit doesn't return so the cars acting as if the chokes still out.

I'm changing the head and almost everything but the short block that's why I was thinking of a new carb, il have a double check tomorrow see if I can solve it as I didn't really have a proper look today I was busy undersealing, it may just be getting caught on someone when pulled out but the spring looks like it doesn't even try to return.

You can buy service kits fro the SU carbs - it would be well worth giving it a full clean and service while it is off if it hasn't had any TLC in a while...

[alsy]

Il get a service kit and see if I can get it working again, it may just be getting snagged on something.. Will have to wait untill the weekend now though

[ado15]

Sounds like it might be a bent jet. The service kit should include a replacement.

[MiniElliott]

Check the cable first. Mine melted on the exhaust manifold meaning the cables plastic coating melted through the sleeve. This had a notch felling when using the cable and stoped it from returning home under the tension of the choke mechanism.

[dklawson]

Sounds like it might be a bent jet. The service kit should include a replacement.

You are certainly correct. If the engine rocked badly enough the jet may have hit the bulkhead and become bent. I had not even thought about that possibility.

There are major and minor service kits. The basic inexpensive kit will not include a jet. I would examine the removed carb to see if the jet is bent before buying the more expensive kit.

[ANON]

There are major and minor service kits. The basic inexpensive kit will not include a jet. I would examine the removed carb to see if the jet is bent before buying the more expensive kit.

gasket kit is just gaskets, service kit has jets and float valves etc and a re build kit has spindles, bushes and butterflies etc.


the hs su is a bloody awful carb, you've only got to look at them wrong and the bloody spindle wears away!!

if you want it sorting/rebuilding give me a shout.

[alsy]

How much would I be looking at fit a rebuild if worst comes to worst? Il report back at the week end when I get to have a proper look.

[ANON]

what carb is it and do you know if there's any play in the spindle/body?

[alsy]

Whatever comes on an 1989 mini Mayfair, and no I don't I haven't properly inspected it yet.

[finalfurlong]

I still have this issue with my 87 mayfair even after having my carb rebuilt. I initially had a bent jet so decided to get it all serviced and replaced thinking i wouldnt have any more issues in the short term, how wrong was i! I will add that it is intermittent though, i greased the jet mechanism up and the chokereturn lever and it works fine for a couple of times but then if left it will sit not quite flush with choke fully in. I have found that once car warmed up though if you boot it a little 9 times out of ten it will re-seat. My tell tail sign for when i need to physically re-seat it my self is if the car stalls when at a juction because the engine is then being flooded. Like every single mini anyone owns each and everyone has its own little quirks, a mini is never going to be problem free, its how you manage them and live with the quirks.