7 replies to this topic

[Ponyandtat]

Hi All

I’m new to mini’s, well since I was 18! but I’ve owned classics for a good few years.

I have a ‘80 van currently with a later 1275 engine. It has Accuspark electronic ignition fitted.

I drove it into the garage mid December but now it won’t start, it doesn’t sound like it is firing at all. The fuel was topped up just before it went back in the garage, I gave fuel at the carbs. Fully charged battery, it turns over easily but won’t fire let alone start.

Plugs are less than 100 miles old. I have tried a different coil, rotor arm and dissy cap one at a time. Each time I still have the spark but nothing else.

Any ideas on what to try next?


Cheers

Tony

[sonscar]

Shoot me down in flames for this.Find some penetrating spray with a suitable warning about it being highly inflammable and give it a sniff into the air cleaner.If will probably fire up and then work fine.Use your own judgement as to the suitability of this suggestion.Steve..

[Spider]

Have you got fuel to the carb ? If you have a HS type SU, take the lid off the fuel bowl and have a look in there.

[MiniMadRacer]

Are the plugs wet?, pull one out and smell it, does it smell of petrol or oil or nothing?

[Ponyandtat]

Thanks for the replies. I had some time today to have another look. I tried starting it just with choke. Still nothing. I checked the plugs and they were showing signs of fuel. I then tried a quick spray of “start you bast@rd”, still nothing.

The plugs had only done less than 100 miles, I changed them and she fired up first turn of the key!

I can only add it was damp that had accumulated over the last month or so in the unheated garage.

Lesson learnt and I’ll change plugs as part of my fault finding in future.

[bpirie1000]

Well done and thanks for concluding the problem. Always assists others..

Enjoy the mini..

[1314cc]

I had a similar thing last year with mini not starting. As my plugs weren't very old I didn't even consider swapping them out!
After a lot of wasted time trying to start, fitted new plugs and like yours it fired straight away!

[bpirie1000]

Nothing lasts long these days...

Gone are the days when things were built to last...

Even fuel goes off within a couple of months...