28 replies to this topic

[clayey6891]

Hi, this is my first ever post on a forum so sorry if it's in the wrong place!

I have a 1991 mini Mayfair 998cc original engine. It has always started first time and ran with no issues. A couple of days ago I drove in to town and parked outside a shop with no problems. When I came back out (10 mins later) the mini started fine ran for about a minute then just sputtered and died without me touching anything/whilst still parked. It turns over at a good speed but just won't fire in to life. I tried bumping it to no avail and eventually towed it home. I guessed the engine was flooded so left it overnight whilst charging the battery for luck hoping it would start but it didn't.

I have recently put in new spark plugs, ht leads which I replaced one at a time so they're in the same position.

Could someone give any suggestions as to what's gone wrong?

Cheers,

Jake

[ChopperHarris]

Two things needed, a spark and fuel.
Take out a plug, rest it against the head so it earths, get someone to crank the engine...is there a spark?
Secondly, take the fuel pipe off the carb and point it into a container, crank engine...does fuel come out.
Report back

[clayey6891]

Ok well I've taken the 2nd spark plug out and turned it over and filmed it (nobody home to help at the moment!) and there is no spark. Should I check the fuel as well or have we found the problem?

[jagman.2003]

I'd check the fuel anyway. Make sure there's no sparks or ignition source around. (safety first..!).

[pusb]

Do you have a multimeter? You could check to see if there is any voltage at the coil.

[clayey6891]

Why would there be no spark on the plug? I've got a multimeter (I was given in the past) but I'm not sure what to do with it!? I'm pretty new to all of this so its all a learning curve currently! Thanks for your replies already guys

[ChopperHarris]

If you don't have a multimeter or test bulb, run a live from the battery to the coil. If it then sparks/starts, we then know the fault is between the positive feed to the solenoid etc etc.
Yes its worth checking the fuel while you are there

[clayey6891]

Is this the pipe I'm to remove to check for fuel? Also maybe a side note I'm not sure what the plastic thing is the previous owner has stuck in the pipe? And should there be a hose coming from the short pipe to the right?

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[ChopperHarris]

Set the multimeter (with working battery) to DC volts, probably at 20v. Black lead to earth on the engine, red lead to coil with ignition on. You should get a reading between 12 and 14v

[ChopperHarris]

yes to pipe

The other is overflow and should not be blocked but continue to drain under car

[ChopperHarris]

Are you sure there wasn't a spark? Might be difficult for camera to pick up

[clayey6891]

Ok so I've tried the multimeter and am getting no readings from the coil - apart from when I put it on ohms, 200. Then I get a reading of 1.7. I've checked again (holding the spark plug and looking with eye not camera) and there is defiantly no spark.

There is fuel going to the carb.

[pusb]

Ohms just measures the resistance, that wont be an issue. If you have you multimeter set to a V (with a straight/dotted line under it) and you are not getting any readings with the ignition on, then the issue will be power to the coil.

[clayey6891]

That must be it then. So is it a simple case of stick a new coil on there?

[pusb]

Not necessarily, if no power is getting to the coil, it could be anything between the battery and coil.