14 replies to this topic

[PT35]

Hi all,

Apparently it’s normal for a classic mini to just cut out when slowing down at junctions/lights and that you need to apply a bit of gas when slowing down?!!

How is this possible?

Any advice welcome.
🙂

[Quinlan minor]

Is it cutting out with the clutch in, or out (pedal to the floor)?

Does it tick over reliably when stationary?

[DClarke1954]

Shouldn't just cut out if it isn't in gear.

It ought to be quite happy to sit there at "tickover".

I have recently been "fettling" my mini and even when the revs have dropped to 600 rather than the 900 it is meant to be, it still keeps going.

Tweaking the balance between mixture and idle screw takes a couple of passes.

A proper tuning session with AC Dodd would sort it all out for you. 

[Chris1275gt]

What model, year and ignition system does it have?

Edited by Chris1275gt, 10 March 2025 - 10:29 AM.

[alpder]

No, not normal. Could be a zillion things but sticking piston in the carb is one likely option (amongst many). Reason I mention it specifically is that it's easy to check and doing so wouldn't disturb any important settings like idle speed, idle mixture, ign timing which are all things you shouldn't just try adjusting-in-hope until you've figured out what's really causing the problem. Also a basic check worth looking for early-on in the diagnosis is air leaks into the manifold, which can come from a bunch of places included poorly tightened carb/manifold nuts, leaking vac hose or faulty servo (if fitted), leaking distributor vac-pipe.

Edited by alpder, 10 March 2025 - 02:36 PM.

[Spider]

Along with alpder's suggestions, check the float bowl level too.

[Earwax]

I am sorry, all the above replies are not even remotely on track.

 

Your mini is suffering from FOMO.  Depending on your model , your mini is attempting to put itself into START/ STOP motoring to save pennies at the stop lights whilst reducing the lifespan of your battery by 50%.

 

 Or  if your car is more modern ( post 1990) it is just the regenerative state of the electric motor.

 

PT35 - please ignore this light hearted post - but your use of the word silently conjured up in my mind these scenarios.  Good luck with fixing it. 

[Stewart8210]

I am sorry, all the above replies are not even remotely on track.

 

Your mini is suffering from FOMO.  Depending on your model , your mini is attempting to put itself into START/ STOP motoring to save pennies at the stop lights whilst reducing the lifespan of your battery by 50%.

 

 Or  if your car is more modern ( post 1990) it is just the regenerative state of the electric motor.

 

PT35 - please ignore this light hearted post - but your use of the word silently conjured up in my mind these scenarios.  Good luck with fixing it. 

This isn't Facebook. we come on here for genuine help from knowledgeable and experienced Mini owners.

[Chris1275gt]

I am sorry, all the above replies are not even remotely on track.
 
Your mini is suffering from FOMO.  Depending on your model , your mini is attempting to put itself into START/ STOP motoring to save pennies at the stop lights whilst reducing the lifespan of your battery by 50%.
 
 Or  if your car is more modern ( post 1990) it is just the regenerative state of the electric motor.
 
PT35 - please ignore this light hearted post - but your use of the word silently conjured up in my mind these scenarios.  Good luck with fixing it.

This isn't Facebook. we come on here for genuine help from knowledgeable and experienced Mini owners.

Then why are you replying with your indignant post as if it was on faceache the man gave it all away in the last line it was a lighthearted post.
No one knows what year the car is or what ignition system or carb if it has one. So everyone is just guessing as to what it might be causing the problem the original poster seems not prepared to give any clues as yet despite the sensible post requesting them to supply the information required to help diagnose a possible solution.

[PT35]

Hi all,

It is a 1996 35th anniversary model.

Guys at garage who race minis say that minis just do this and you need to have a touch of gas when you brake which I don’t believe!!

It happened today coming off a motorway onto a roundabout; I slowed down and went into 3rd gear then as I continued to brake it just cut out.

[Earwax]

Hi PT35

 

I am not sure if the 35th Anniversary models were the same all over the world but if Yes , my search says your car is an SPI

 

If your car is a Single Point injected then I think your options for tuning are limited compared to the carburettor models and if automatic the options are also different.

 

The float level and mixture/idle suggestions above are still the go if your car is a carb version

 

The guys at the garage are probably being entirely practical when they say add a touch of gas..   ( No it isnt a fix but it is a workaround.)

 

Lots of older cars have their quirks, so shifting into neutral and blipping the accelerator whilst still braking is very doable, so too is slowing down but avoiding the total stop. 

 

Again , if your car is an SPI , you might have more luck on the Injection Mini Specific thread  Good luck

[Lplus]

Hi all,

It is a 1996 35th anniversary model.

Guys at garage who race minis say that minis just do this and you need to have a touch of gas when you brake which I don’t believe!!

It happened today coming off a motorway onto a roundabout; I slowed down and went into 3rd gear then as I continued to brake it just cut out.

A though occurred that perhaps the servo is leaking slightly and the additional air reaching the engine during braking occasionally weakens the mixture enough to stop it - especially if the braking continues for longer than normal.

[PT35]

Thanks guys! 😊

[stuart bowes]

seems to me the advice from the guys at the garage is mostly just a sort of bravado kind of thing, like yeah that's easy we race it's nothing to us, meh

In a race presumably you're on the power 90% of the time, and if not you're trying to keep the power up ready for the next time you use it. You don't stop do you.  Also race cars have much more aggressive cams and tuning which make it less likely to idle smoothly unlike a road car. apples and oranges

 

Yeah you can blip on the down-change to stay in your power band, or you can heel-toe to keep the revs up while braking etc but that doesn't answer the question 'whats wrong with my mini'

no that's not 'normal' behavior for any car if it's working properly

Edited by stuart bowes, 25 March 2025 - 11:47 AM.

[PT35]

Apologies for the delay, it turns out it was a squashed vacuum pipe.