12 replies to this topic

[simplyminis]

One of my minis aint running the best, ive put a timing light on and all is fine, its had new plugs leads etc

 

starts fine with a little choke then when accelerating all is fine

 

1-2-3 its pulls well but when i get into 4 is dont go any faster, it dont pull in speed and end up having to drop down to 3rd

 

im guessing carb but want to have a better idea before taking everything apart

 

thanks

 

[MiniElliott]

Hi, this is probably a long shot but I used to have a similar problem. I rebuild the carb, new plugs and leads etc. It turned out to be the valve clearances were too small. My problems only really started when the weather was getting better.

 

Hope this helps

 

Elliott 

[jaydee]

Of course reset tappet gaps first, a good way is to check them with engine hot and see if you get 12 thou gap

Ensure the air filter is clean and that fuel isnt stale..

Inspect coil for leaks and service points and condenser (if you have) and dizzy cap and rotor if they show signs of wear and corrosion.

Then with a timing gun you look at maximum advance, you're looking for 30° advance at 3500-4000 rpm, not all dizzies are capable of that max advance.

Once ignition is OK you can move to setting up carbs.

Lack of pull in 4th gear i'd expect it to be lean, what colour are the plugs just after a 'good drive'?

What needle you have for what engine spec?

[simplyminis]

standard 998cc and card, coil, dizzy etc is all newish and good the car has always run like this but just want to see if i can sort it

[sonikk4]

Points or electronic ignition????

[simplyminis]

electronic 

[sonikk4]

The reason I asked I had points on Paddy and top end was poor. Points wee in good condition etc etc so possibly wear in the dizzy causing issues.

However I have now fitted a powerspark electronic dizzy and with only a slight adjustment of the timing he will hit 80mph and this was with GPS.

I don't like driving him at that speed, did it once but will cruise happily at 60 mph all day long and will go up to 75 mph no problem at all.

Hills though really throw a spanner in the works.

[Cooperman]

When a car won't fire up we used the mnemonic:

 

PPTTCDC  -   Points, plugs, tappets, timing, carburation (fuel supply and settings), distributor (condenser, leads), coil.

[Tamworthbay]

When a car won't fire up we used the mnemonic:
 
PPTTCDC  -   Points, plugs, tappets, timing, carburation (fuel supply and settings), distributor (condenser, leads), coil.

Strange I always used: WWYSYUPOS

Why won't you start you useless piece of ....?

[Carlos W]

 

When a car won't fire up we used the mnemonic:
 
PPTTCDC  -   Points, plugs, tappets, timing, carburation (fuel supply and settings), distributor (condenser, leads), coil.

Strange I always used: WWYSYUPOS

Why won't you start you useless piece of ....?

 

That's maybe where you've been going wrong mate! 

[Tamworthbay]

When a car won't fire up we used the mnemonic:
 PPTTCDC  -   Points, plugs, tappets, timing, carburation (fuel supply and settings), distributor (condenser, leads), coil.

Strange I always used: WWYSYUPOS
Why won't you start you useless piece of ....?

That's maybe where you've been going wrong mate!

Quite possibly, but I work on the principal of percussive maintenance. If its broke, hit it with a hammer. If its still broke you have lost nothing, if by some miracle it is fixed, bonus.

[Carlos W]

 

 

 

When a car won't fire up we used the mnemonic:
 PPTTCDC  -   Points, plugs, tappets, timing, carburation (fuel supply and settings), distributor (condenser, leads), coil.

Strange I always used: WWYSYUPOS
Why won't you start you useless piece of ....?

That's maybe where you've been going wrong mate!

Quite possibly, but I work on the principal of percussive maintenance. If its broke, hit it with a hammer. If its still broke you have lost nothing, if by some miracle it is fixed, bonus.

 

I was working on this theory on some brake discs at the weekend, the discs were either going to smash or come off!

 

Thankfully they came off eventually

[Tamworthbay]

I think its most likely carb but also worth checking the manifold. I had a cracked one that caused all sorts of running issues. It was causing weird rich/ lean issues at different points.

Carlos - I find the percussive maintenance works best on stuck starter motors and things like your brake discs, less well on broken bulbs and dirty windscreens.