7 replies to this topic

[Steve-O 2014]

I went out for a drive and Mini cut out

 

It ran fine for 1 mile and then nothing, I rolled to a stop lol

 

Tried to start it again and nothing

 

Left the electronic fuel pump pumping away for a little while and then it started up again for a minute then cut out again.

 

Again left the pump to pumping away and it ran again and I managed to get home where it cut out again

 

It seemed like fuel starvation

 

When I got back I unscrewed the top of the dashpot to check the oil and then screwed the top back on and started the car and it seemed to sit running fine after that,

 

Could something have been wrong with the dashpot?

 

Also I had the dashput fully off to see what needle was in, does the "slotted" bit of the needle holder go towards the screw that holds it in?

 

Thanks

 

[dklawson]

What symptoms made you feel like it was fuel related?  What carb is on the car?  Does the distributor use points or is it electronic?

 

Take the car around the block long enough for the engine to stall,   Immediately get out and remove the gas filler cap.  If there is an inrush of air, you have a blocked tank vent which can cause the symptoms you describe.  If there is no inrush of air, check the fuel lines under the car from the boot to the carb.  Replace any and all fuel filters you find.

 

If there is no inrush of air when you removed the cap, and if the distributor uses points, check them.  When points close up they can produce the symptoms you describe except there is often the additional issue of hard starting when the points gap is too narrow.

[Steve-O 2014]

Thanks i will check that

[Steve-O 2014]

Oh and its electronic

[Ethel]

The fuel pump shouldn't take long to build up the pressure and turn itself off. If it does I'd check that tank breather and that it's not piddling fuel somewhere.

 

Yes the screw goes into the slot in the needle carrier. The carrier should be flush with the piston face, and the needle should move freely from side to side.

[dklawson]

Footnote to the fuel pump observation by Ethel:
If the fuel pump is an original equipment electric SU type, it will pump up to pressure, then stop ticking as mentioned.

If the pump is an aftermarket type (say Facet or similar) it will tick continuously.

[Steve-O 2014]

Its aftermarket. And it was running out of fuel as when i checked the clear fuel filter in engine bay it was empty then slowly filled back up when i turned the key again

[Carlos W]

It really does sound like a potential venting issue!

There may be a vacuum forming in the tank due to it not being able to draw air in! As above, run the car until it cuts out then run to the filler cap, remove and listen for air being drawn in! The cap may also be difficult to remove!