8 replies to this topic

[The_Doctor]

Hi,

My Mini's (1275cc Mini GT engine) been having some engine problems lately, cylinder 2 and 3 will not fire. After removing the spark plugs from 2 and 3 there is clearly some petrol on the end of the plugs so I assume fuel is making it into the cylinders. I've swapped, cleaned and replaced spark plugs and wires between firing and non-firing cylinders and the same problem still occurs on the same cylinders. I can hear arcing when I put the boot over the plug so I assume the spark plug is firing. What could still be causing the cylinders to fail to fire? Before they stopped firing I noticed there was exhaust gas coming from behind the engine but with limited knowledge or funds I just put a carbon monoxide detector in the cabin and left it as it was. When the engine runs on the remaining two there is no longer any exhaust gas coming from behind engine. I imagine it has something to do with that. Could anyone shed some light on what might be the problem and what I might be able to do to fix it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[JimmyB]

Have you had the spark plug leads off before the problem started occurring? It could be as simple as the leads for cylinder 2 and 3 being swapped over. Remember the firing order is 1-3-4-2 in an anti-clockwise direction on the distributer. Cylinder 1 being closest to the water pump.

[Fast Ivan]

check your valve clearances

[blacktulip]

 sound like head gasket blown between 2 and 3 to me!

[Carlos W]

 sound like head gasket blown between 2 and 3 to me!

 

I agree.

 

What do you mean by not firing?

 

Have you got a compression tester?

[dklawson]

All good advice above.  Check the plug wires first paying close attention to the order and direction as listed by JimmyB.  It is very common for people to mistake clockwise for counterclockwise and this would create exactly the situation you are describing.  If the plug wires are on in the correct order, a compression test is in order as mentioned above.

 

That said... when did the engine last run correctly and what has been changed on the car/engine since then?

[The Principal]

take it back to basics - do you have (i) fuel (ii) air (iii) spark (iv) compression?

[Turbo Nick]

sounds like a blown manifold gasket to me?

[Shifty]

Head gasket for sure