11 replies to this topic

[aircoolednut]

HI there have a MIni City for my daughter, all ok when running great, but seems to have developed a problem. I started it the other day, first time no problems, ticked over great, drove the car out, got about 400 metres and it just cut out, took ages to start, and managed to limp home with my foot falt on the accellerator at max revs, if I took it off the car would just die. Got it back to the house and it just cut out. It is like it has run out of fuel when it stops. I have cleaned the carb out and I have been told that the mechanicla pump may be a problem, but that is by someone who knows everything. WOuld this be a good place to start as it does seem quite possible. Anyhow that is it really, just looking forward to aching back and sore knuckels agains as I try to do it. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

regards

[Guess-Works.com]

Will it start and idle ok....

Yes could be the fuel pump, simple way to check is to remove the fuel pipe from the carb float, using a suitable container to catch the fuel ( hoepfully ) crank the engine over ( taking the spark plugs out is a good idea, means there's less stress on the motor when doing this ). If it pumps fuel like you've just cut a major artery then it's not the pump...

Other things which can cause similar symptoms are a restriction in the the fuel supply, crimped pipe something like that.

[998dave]

Check pump as per above.

Also could be the float bowl isn't filling very well.
Ages to start suggests it's filling up, then running out, is the float moving properly, and is the inlet to it clear and clean?

[Ethel]

It could also be an ignition fault, if the pump appears to pass GW's test it may be worth having a quick look at the points and LT connections etc.

[lrostoke]

When you have you foot flat on the accelerator how high does it actually rev .. ??

I would have thought if fuel related it would have to be the opposite of what your doing..giving it very little revs so the pump / fuel supply can keep up with demand ??

When it is running how does it sound ??

Have you checked the accelerator cable it may have slipped ?? and your not getting full travel

Edited by lrostoke, 19 May 2008 - 09:49 AM.

[aircoolednut]

OK More info

The car has new points (checked), New plugs (Checked), new leads, new coil and all sparks have been checked ok.

When it reves, it revs flat out with foot on the accelerator. All cables checked and lubricated. Carb Damper checked and oil ok. The carb has been cleaned out. I even washed the outside of the car, wow.

The car started fine, it ticked over fine for a littel while, I then drove it down the road, as I came to the roundabout, around 400 meters away it spluttered and acted like it had run out of petrol and stopped. I tried to start it and after quite a lot of attempts (20+) it eventually did and but would only keep running with foot well down on the accelerator, with very high revs. I drove it back to the house, about 400 mtres, keeping it going by use of very high revs and the clutch. As I pulled up home, took my foot off the accelerator and it immediately died and would not re-start. I do not beleive it is an ignition fault, but very much like a fuel fault, but which bit to do first.

I have considered taking the carb off and stripping it down and doing a full clean (aaaggghhh) or replacing the mechanical fuel pump.

That is were I am up to and just wanted to make the easy fix, as I am lazy and not the greatest mechanic in the world and the fuel pump sounds and easier job according to the world of Haynes.


Well that is it for now, so if the lord of mini's could give me the nod and the fix, it would be great, as my daughter who is learning to drive, and giving me grey hairs is nagging me to get it sorted.

many thanks

David

[lrostoke]

Was the timing reset when the points where changed ?

What carb is it, does it have the float bowl on the side...if so when it stops next time, remove the lid I see if there is fuel in there, it should be about 3/4 full.

[Guess-Works.com]

so have you done as suggested above ?

[Guess-Works.com]

When you have you foot flat on the accelerator how high does it actually rev .. ??

I would have thought if fuel related it would have to be the opposite of what your doing..giving it very little revs so the pump / fuel supply can keep up with demand ??

When it is running how does it sound ??

Have you checked the accelerator cable it may have slipped ?? and your not getting full travel

Dont forget that the amount of fuel being pumped is directly proportional to engine speed, ie, the pump pushes fuel for every 2 rotations of the crank... (one rotation of the cam )

[Jupitus]

Ummm guys - could this be the pump diapragm on its way out? Is that fairly easy to check?

[kooky]

Also just two get my 2p worth in, A very similar thing happened to me with a totally different type of car, but symptoms sound exactly the same.

Its a quick check. grab a hold of the distributer and see if it has came loose, if it turns you've probably knocked the timing out and to keep it running you would have to keep your foot to the floor.

Worth a quick check before you start stripping things out.

[lornaluft]

sounds like a problem I had with my 89 mayfair. It was the float chamber. Good luck I had a spare carb ! Could give it a try ?