19 replies to this topic

[R1cbm]

Hello,

I've recently purchased a 998cc 1982 last of the Austin minis

Apparently it has a rebuilt engine. I have a letter telling me this but no specific evidence. However.... everything looks new and its very clean. K and n filter and what looks like a stage one kit so manifold and exhaust.

So, I've had the timing checked which was totally out, so it's now set correctly. Oil change. I've taken the HS4 carb apart and cleaned up the inside. Plug gaps checked, and air filter looks very clean.

I am new to minis and not an expert so please bear with me :)

Symptoms are as follows.

It revs nicely (didn't before the timing change) up the gears. You have to give it some load but it reaches 70. When you drop to around half throttle and cruise it stutters. Only seems to be when you cruise. Any gear.

I can get it setup on a rolling road I guess but wanted to see if it was something I could fix myself.

Open to ideas

[cal844]

Change the coil for a known working 2nd hand unit(from another mini which has no fault)

Then test, any different? If not revert to your old coil

Edited by cal844, 29 October 2016 - 04:26 PM.

[b_sdaddy]

Really interested in this;

 

My Mk4 1978 998 runs pretty well. Through the gears, hard throttle, it's as good as I could expect from a std. 998 of almost 40 years.

 

The twisting B roads of Flanders are a delight.

 

BUT, when I venture onto a motorway, easing off a bit at 65/70mph, I get the feeling it's being starved. Re-applying full throttle, and she's fine.

 

Waiting to see if this helps.

[neal]

If all your serviceable items are good and are checked that they are in tolerance (ignition, fuel and tappet rocker clearances etc.)Then maybe it's time for a rolling road tune up.

If it was me and I would be getting my Haynes workshop manual and check all tolerances, I think this is good advise as this will help you to begin familiarising yourself with your new car, If you do get stuck then just ask on here as there's plenty of experience on here.

The only stupid question is the one you don't ask! If you do ask a blinding obvious one, you may get the P**s ripped out of you a little but put this down to character building as you will need this especially when working on these little bu*gers.

Welcome to the world of mini's and a wise choice of a classic icon!!!

Enjoy :)

[skoughi]

My mini has a 1330 but the same symptoms, after a carb check from Mr Dodd he advised me to use a more suitable needle, BDK to a BDL, lighter spring and oil. If everything else is in good working order then it may need a change of needle?

[neal]

My mini has a 1330 but the same symptoms, after a carb check from Mr Dodd he advised me to use a more suitable needle, BDK to a BDL, lighter spring and oil. If everything else is in good working order then it may need a change of needle?

A change of needle would advocate a rolling road session for you to get the best out of your car, please don't just change it without a R/R session as you will create more problems.

As mentioned go through all serviceable items and check tolerances to make sure everything is tip-top, then only then consider a rolling road session.

There is nothing more embarrassing than turning up to a R/R session when the basics haven't been done, remember time is money out of your pocket.

The reason for me being clear on this as you have stated you are new to owning a mini and not an expert/lack knowledge in this particular field.

Just trying to help, that's all :)

Edited by neal, 29 October 2016 - 06:16 PM.

[Spider]

You'll need to carefully plan ahead to do this safely, but if you can find a stretch of road where you can get it to do this for a good 30 seconds ,then cut the engine while it's doing it, coast to a stop and pull a spark plug.

 

I'm suspecting it leaning out on cruise.

[ACDodd]

Part throttle lean mis fire. Custom needle in the carb will sort that. Very common.

Ac

[THE ANORAK]

Last of the austin minis means nothing really. Its just a change of name for the company that made them, but still the same company, made in the same place and by the same people !!!

[R1cbm]

Thank so for the replies. I will check the coil as I have a friend who has another mini.

Also may pull the needle out and see what it is. I couldn't see any markings when I cleaned the carb.

Thanks for the help.

Ps. I know it was still made but kind of like it being an Austin Morris. And it's yellow so my daughter has named it Mini Cheddar

[skoughi]

 

My mini has a 1330 but the same symptoms, after a carb check from Mr Dodd he advised me to use a more suitable needle, BDK to a BDL, lighter spring and oil. If everything else is in good working order then it may need a change of needle?

A change of needle would advocate a rolling road session for you to get the best out of your car, please don't just change it without a R/R session as you will create more problems.

As mentioned go through all serviceable items and check tolerances to make sure everything is tip-top, then only then consider a rolling road session.

There is nothing more embarrassing than turning up to a R/R session when the basics haven't been done, remember time is money out of your pocket.

The reason for me being clear on this as you have stated you are new to owning a mini and not an expert/lack knowledge in this particular field.

Just trying to help, that's all :)

 

I would love to get her to a RR however there is no such thing on the Shetland Isles, in fact the nearest one is in Thurso on the very northern tip of Scotland which means two ferry trips for me to get there (one of which includes an overnight stay) and a possible bill of £360! Then the cost of the RR on top, and food and lager! I will have to do a lot of studying on the subject and pay close attention to what the AFR gauge etc is telling me instead.

[dyshipfakta]

 

My mini has a 1330 but the same symptoms, after a carb check from Mr Dodd he advised me to use a more suitable needle, BDK to a BDL, lighter spring and oil. If everything else is in good working order then it may need a change of needle?

A change of needle would advocate a rolling road session for you to get the best out of your car, please don't just change it without a R/R session as you will create more problems.

As mentioned go through all serviceable items and check tolerances to make sure everything is tip-top, then only then consider a rolling road session.

There is nothing more embarrassing than turning up to a R/R session when the basics haven't been done, remember time is money out of your pocket.

The reason for me being clear on this as you have stated you are new to owning a mini and not an expert/lack knowledge in this particular field.

Just trying to help, that's all :)
 

I would love to get her to a RR however there is no such thing on the Shetland Isles, in fact the nearest one is in Thurso on the very northern tip of Scotland which means two ferry trips for me to get there (one of which includes an overnight stay) and a possible bill of £360! Then the cost of the RR on top, and food and lager! I will have to do a lot of studying on the subject and pay close attention to what the AFR gauge etc is telling me instead.

Food and lager costs on that trip alone makes it a non starter lol

[neal]

 

 

 

My mini has a 1330 but the same symptoms, after a carb check from Mr Dodd he advised me to use a more suitable needle, BDK to a BDL, lighter spring and oil. If everything else is in good working order then it may need a change of needle?

A change of needle would advocate a rolling road session for you to get the best out of your car, please don't just change it without a R/R session as you will create more problems.

As mentioned go through all serviceable items and check tolerances to make sure everything is tip-top, then only then consider a rolling road session.

There is nothing more embarrassing than turning up to a R/R session when the basics haven't been done, remember time is money out of your pocket.

The reason for me being clear on this as you have stated you are new to owning a mini and not an expert/lack knowledge in this particular field.

Just trying to help, that's all :)
 

I would love to get her to a RR however there is no such thing on the Shetland Isles, in fact the nearest one is in Thurso on the very northern tip of Scotland which means two ferry trips for me to get there (one of which includes an overnight stay) and a possible bill of £360! Then the cost of the RR on top, and food and lager! I will have to do a lot of studying on the subject and pay close attention to what the AFR gauge etc is telling me instead.

Food and lager costs on that trip alone makes it a non starter lol

 

Yeah granted a very costly exercise, at least you'll be a whiz at setting up carbs then?

 

R1cbm, I'd definitively take what's on offer on your doorstep. 

Edited by neal, 30 October 2016 - 03:58 PM.

[skoughi]

There's a very talented local engineer who's setting up a garage which will have a rolling road, he's hoping to get it up and running in the first half of next year so if I can get her running to a decent state of tune until then then I'll be happy enough. As to being a whiz at it I'm not so sure, but at least I will learn a lot more about how it works if I give it a go, and probably make plenty of mistakes along the way!

[neal]

There's a very talented local engineer who's setting up a garage which will have a rolling road, he's hoping to get it up and running in the first half of next year so if I can get her running to a decent state of tune until then then I'll be happy enough. As to being a whiz at it I'm not so sure, but at least I will learn a lot more about how it works if I give it a go, and probably make plenty of mistakes along the way!

That'll be real handy and a new friend I would imagine, yeah maybe a few mistakes along the way but think of the fun you'll be having, not that I'm jealous of course.