11 replies to this topic

[eeae6000]

I have a 88 mini with 998cc with a year old carb and a year old distributed with electronic points. Car started and drove fine and now it won't. that is getting fuel and spark and will not start. I tried adjusting the timing and eventually got it started but had to advance the timing to around 40 degrees to get it to start, adjusted it back to 8 like manual says and ran good, turned it off and tried starting again and now nothing. Can't even get it started again the way I did prior. Car also has new plugs

[eeae6000]

car is also recieving fuel, wont even start if I spray starter fluid directly into the intake manifold.

 

Once i got it started it ran good, just would not restart, completely confused.

 

 

Car did sit for about 3-4 months over winter but started right up when I first started it

[KernowCooper]

Did you do the timing with the vac on or off ? it would never have started with 40degs adavnce and kicked back on the starter. You have good compression on all cylinders?

[eeae6000]

vac off idling at 1500 rpms as per the Haynes manual

 

on the timing scale on the right side of motor, when I got it started, the timing light was 1-2 inches below the furthest timing mark, and the lowest timing mark is 20 degrees. I know its weird that is why i am confused.

 

I did not check compression yet but head gasket was done last summer and no driven much since, compression was checked after it was done to verify

[KernowCooper]

With the vac pipe off and blocked does the mechanical advance the timing when revved up and then drop back ok, wondering if your distributor shaft has been lubricated to ensure the weights are working correctly.

[eeae6000]

I do not know, will have to check, how is it lubricated?

[eeae6000]

bump any ideas?

 

 

what are the chances there is a problem with my timing chain or tensioner?

 

will it run if those get loose or break?

[eeae6000]

maybe skipped a tooth on the timing gear?

[eeae6000]

Update

 

found out today that it only starts when the motor is cold, once motor is warm, it doesnt start anymore. any ideas?

[KernowCooper]

The distributor should be lubricated with a couple of drops of oil on the felt pad under the rotor arm, many now are missing the pad so a few drops  on the screw head will find it way down the shaft, unlikely its jump a tooth on the timing chain. Have you  checked the valve clearances and done a compression check?

Edited by KernowCooper, 20 March 2014 - 07:18 PM.

[eeae6000]

no that will be done tomorrow. What screw head do you speak of, the ones holding the points down or the shaft?

[KernowCooper]

Right under the rotor arm when removed which retains the mechanical advance onto the main distributor shaft.