21 replies to this topic

[Baynton1991]

Afternoon All. 

 

Looking for some solutions to my issues.

Car - 1984 mayfair with 1275 auto metro engine with cone filter Bdk needle.

 

Couple of weeks ago I was on the autobahn on my first 60mph+ drive in my mini having only recently purchased it. After  a few minutes I noticed my temperature had spike to the limit of the gauge so in short I was towed home. Stripped the cooling system down which had seen better days and the problem seemed to be a faulty thermostat. 

 

So ordered new thermostat, radiator, water pump and a few hoses and gaskets to resolve the cooling issue. Also purchased some 8mm ht, leads some fresh spark plugs and a red 4.5oz spring for my hif44 carb.

 

Fitted everything today and started it up and the engine did not sound happy. Very very lumpy (when revved sounded a mixture of pops and bangs from the exhaust and pinking), kept dying and was very rich. After an hour it wouldn't start at all. 

 

I finally got it idling ok-ish by doing the timing by ear and putting the standard needle and weaker spring back in the carb and put the old ht leads back on just to be safe (although the newer ones had a lower resistance).

 

Im not sure why it has worked better with the standard needle back in as it was running perfect before the overheating issue with the bdk one. 

 

So at the moment it starts and idles ok-ish but as soon as i drive it  it turns into a spluttering, hesitant mess. not sure on the sound as i am quite the newbie but it has no power and sounds either like its being starved of fuel(even though the plugs are coming out black) or pinking a bit. The cooling system is working great though :)

 

Ive tried to be as thorough as possible with my minimal knowledge.

Any advice/experience is welcomed and appreciated.

 

Ben

[nicklouse]

If it was running right before why did you change the spring?

And then why change the needle and the spring again?

Put it back to how it was or as close as you can and see how it goes.

[dyshipfakta]

Probably head gasket if you overheated that badly.
I'm inclined to agree unlikely to be anything to do with fueling if was fine before you cooling issue.

Edited by dyshipfakta, 24 July 2016 - 05:14 PM.

[Baynton1991]

If it was running right before why did you change the spring?

And then why change the needle and the spring again?

Put it back to how it was or as close as you can and see how it goes.

 

Thanks for the quick reply, I thought the spring was the next logical step but I put the standard needle back in as I thought the sooting on the plugs was caused by being it being to rich. Im starting to think the overheating has caused an issue which is why its sounding so bad under load. Its fine in neutral through the rev range.

[Baynton1991]

Probably head gasket if you overheated that badly.
I'm inclined to agree unlikely to be anything to do with fueling if was fine before you cooling issue.

Ye Im sure it isn't fuelling just would rather a fuelling issue over a head gasket one.

[CityEPete]

Lots going on there, timing alone can cause overheating, throw in incorrect carb settings and it's going to take some setting up with correct tools and knowledge. Valve clearances and a compression test would be a good starting point, might not be too bad once you get it on track.

[racingbob]

a BDK fairly rich needle 

 

change head gasket and get it dyno

 

get head checked for warping

[Baynton1991]

Lots going on there, timing alone can cause overheating, throw in incorrect carb settings and it's going to take some setting up with correct tools and knowledge. Valve clearances and a compression test would be a good starting point, might not be too bad once you get it on track.

The overheating issue has been resolved with the new thermostat i believe. Might have to get it trailered back to the UK then as Im not to sure how I would fair trying to find someone with know-how local to me in germany. Valve clearances have been done recently. But your right i could do with someone getting there hands on it who knows what they're doing.

[Baynton1991]

a BDK fairly rich needle 

 

change head gasket and get it dyno

 

get head checked for warping

 

oooooh bad times. Not such a good start to classic mini ownership then

 

any tips as to how i can tell the head gasket as gone. There are no funny smells or anything at the moment.

Edited by Baynton1991, 24 July 2016 - 05:41 PM.

[CityEPete]

Lots going on there, timing alone can cause overheating, throw in incorrect carb settings and it's going to take some setting up with correct tools and knowledge. Valve clearances and a compression test would be a good starting point, might not be too bad once you get it on track.

The overheating issue has been resolved with the new thermostat i believe. Might have to get it trailered back to the UK then as Im not to sure how I would fair trying to find someone with know-how local to me in germany. Valve clearances have been done recently. But your right i could do with someone getting there hands on it who knows what they're doing.

Unless the timing is right it will overheat that way too.

[nicklouse]

its sounding so bad under load. Its fine in neutral through the rev range.

Headgasket then.

[Baynton1991]

 

its sounding so bad under load. Its fine in neutral through the rev range.

Headgasket then.

 

 

Just sent you a private message Nick. I thought when a head gasket went it was more of an extravagant event.

Edited by Baynton1991, 24 July 2016 - 06:11 PM.

[cal844]

its sounding so bad under load. Its fine in neutral through the rev range.

Headgasket then.

Could be the coil(I doubt it as the op adjusted the timing..)

[Baynton1991]

 

 

its sounding so bad under load. Its fine in neutral through the rev range.

Headgasket then.

Could be the coil(I doubt it as the op adjusted the timing..)

 

 

Had a new coil few weeks back.

[Spider]

I'd probably start with a compression test. Best done when at running temp, but even done cold may shed some light.