26 replies to this topic

[Poppet2]

I only drive my mini once a week and despite new battery this year I usually need a battery pack booster to start the car on cold, damp mornings. Once going I leave the battery pack on for fear I won't complete my journey.

Despite this, there are occasions when it feels like I am losing power as if the petrol isn't getting through so I keep the choke out for about 20 minutes until it warms up.

It's an automatic.

Any other suggestions?

Edited by Poppet2, 12 December 2013 - 09:53 AM.

[jime17]

Make sure the ht leads, distributor cap, rotor arm, plugs are all in good condition. Check points gap if you have points. Check dash pot oil. It will hold back under acceleration if there's not enough choke when the engine isn't up to temp.

Check the engine and battery earth straps.

[Poppet2]

Make sure the ht leads, distributor cap, rotor arm, plugs are all in good condition. Check points gap if you have points. Check dash pot oil. It will hold back under acceleration if there's not enough choke when the engine isn't up to temp.
Check the engine and battery earth straps.

Thanks, that plenty to think about.

[jime17]

Its all just routine maintenance really. The problems with an ignition system can be exacerbated by cold damp weather.

The cold weather will also reduce a batteries efficiency.


What year is your auto?

If its newer than 84 make sure its got 10w40 oil in. This will also make the engine easier to turn over than if it has 20w50. Especially when cold.

[jaydee]

try richening mixture 1 flat

[lrostoke]

Shouldn't need a booster pack after a week.

 

Maybe upgrade the battery Type 075 is a good size go for. more CCA and Ah than standard battery

 

The oil is a good suggestion thick oil will sap power and put more load on starting.

[Poppet2]

The car is a 1984 model, later I believe. The oil the manual says I should use, which I'm about to put in is 15w40.
I only bought the car this year so I don't know what oil grade the previous owner put in there.

[Poppet2]

Shouldn't need a booster pack after a week.
 
Maybe upgrade the battery Type 075 is a good size go for. more CCA and Ah than standard battery
 
The oil is a good suggestion thick oil will sap power and put more load on starting.

Although a 998cc mini, my battery is for a 1.3 cc model.

[Tamworthbay]

You need to check what is draining the battery down. Mine is stored over the winter and the battery is ok for 6-8weeks. Something will be draining it, do you have an alarm?

[jaydee]

You definately need to put some good 10w40 oil in an 84 auto due to the torque converter.

NEVER EVER trust the owners handbook, it just tells you what at the time were the conventions between rover and oil suppliers.
 

You need a minimum 440 CCA from your battery, theres no difference its for a 1300 or a 998, whoever told you this didnt know what he was talking about.

[HarrysMini]

Winters are never cold enough here to make you need to use thinner oil than 20w 50. If your starter motor struggles to turn over an engine with 20w 50 oil in the kind of winters we have here, you probably have other issues. 

 

Edit: The above is true actually. I didn't read the bit where you said you had an auto, my apologies.

Edited by HarrysMini, 12 December 2013 - 11:42 AM.

[jaydee]

Just to be clear, you should never put 20w50 (nor 15w40) in this type of engine.

[Poppet2]

The only light on in the car is a small light flashing where the radio should be.
Is 15w40 oil classed as too thick or too thin?
So what is the correct oil and is should it be thicker or thinner?
Sorry, but I'm not sure how the thick/thinness grades go when it comes to oil.

[Poppet2]

Just to be clear, you should never put 20w50 (nor 15w40) in this type of engine.

But that's what the manual says 15w40.

[myredmini]

As above don't trust the manual. You need good 10w40 in an auto or you risk expensive damage!