4 replies to this topic

[dschwartz1957]

I own a '68 Mini Traveller with a 1275 engine installed by a previous owner. The engine dates to about 1971 and may be from an Austin America or 1300.

 

In the year+ I have owned my Mini the starter motor (pinion gear) has always disengaged very quickly / too soon. Usually the engine fired immediately on cranking so this has not been an issue. Occasionally the engine would fire once and you would hear the starter go "vrrrr". Lately has been happening every time I try to start a cold engine, after sitting overnight or for a few days. With warm weather I never needed much choke, usually just enough to get a fast idle. Now the car can require many attempts to start and I need to play with the choke. If the pinion gear didn't disengage too quickly the engine would start on the first try. Even when the engine is warm and fires right up I still hear a "vrrr" from the starter.

 

The battery is 1 1/2 years old and has a good charge. All battery connections are clean, as is the ground strap connection under the bonnet. When the clutch was replaced last August I checked the ring gear and the teeth looked good. Presumably the solenoid is OK. I plan to check the teeth on the pinion gear in the next day or two. Does this sound like a starter rebuild is in order, or possibly a new pinion gear? I read in the Haynes manual you need a special tool to compress the spring. Some replies on this forum have mentioned clutch dust on the pinion shaft.

 

Alternatively, could this be a different problem entirely? A local Mini expert also advised checking the points and timing.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

David Schwartz

Framingham Massachusetts (greater Boston area)

 

[Scoop77]

Have you removed the starter and tested it by connecting it to the battery with jump leads to see if it does as it should?
Whilst you have it out check for wear on it and the ring gear on the flywheel.

[Quicksilver-ash]

Is it the correct ring gear for your type of starter?

[Scoop77]

Is it the correct ring gear for your type of starter?

He's gone mate. Must have solved it hey? Lol

[dschwartz1957]

The starter seems to operate normally and the ring gear looks OK.

 

To my surprise, replacing ignition components made a big difference (points, condenser, wires, plugs). Especially the spark plugs! 1 and 2 were nice and clean, 3 was a bit oily and 4 was fouled with black goo. I suspect the valve seals in cylinders 3 and 4 recently started leaking. The engine went from starting with very little choke as soon as I turned the key, to requiring a lot of choke and cranking multiple times.

 

There may still be a starter issue since if the engine does NOT catch, the pinion gear disengage and I hear the "vrrr".

 

Thanks for the replies. I was on holiday and traveling for work.

 

David