Classic mini issue.

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supernova2, Apr 21, 5:42pm
Is the choke stuck on or maybe tthe carb piston stuck!No oil in carb piston damper.SU is pretty simple thing.

candy1213, Apr 21, 9:56pm
how old is the coil! and make sure the fuse box is clean around terminals that hold the fuses in place,
on the float bowl is the feed for the fuel, remove jet and clean it, out, and the carby too
also if engine mounts are worn ,on early minis the carby fuel tube gets bent and makes the damper stick up, so it runs rich , like the choke is on , replace inline fuel filter too ,
I have a 1964 austin mini mk1 had it for 15yrs , my father worked on them when they were new, ,if u need help just ask on here , im in chch

candy1213, Apr 21, 10:01pm
check there is oil in the carby damper, it causes spluttering,
if plugs are black , are u using 91 fuel!
when points were replaced did u re set the timing it may be retarted, or carby too lean if it spits back when foot flat down fast,

saxman99, Apr 21, 10:09pm
FWIW I had a condenser replaced a while ago and it literally lasted 5 minutes, so they can go bad even when new.

ladyjet1, Apr 22, 5:56am
Thanks guys, will mess with it again today. not sure how old the coil is - but if you go right back to the start of the thread I had a couple of issues in a day where it stopped at idle and wouldn't restart.seems like I've made it worse now!Was running so sweet prior, but I have decided it was using too much fuel, by my calculations I only got about 10km per litre out of her - not enough.Yes I'm using 91, but use the lead additive as well.Have replaced inline filter, carbie was rekitted about 500k ago, but it's been sitting a long time (3 years).I'm sure it's something simple, as it was running so well. girls and their toys.sometimes I wonder why I tackle these things.

smac, Apr 22, 6:56am
This bit of info might have been handy at the top.

socram, Apr 22, 7:25am
Minis will not like 91 fuel.it is an old engine design and the additive will only prevent valve recession.I'd probably be using a minimum of 95 or even 98.Definitely NOT 91 - ever.As stated above, check oil in the carb damper and the timing.
You haven't stated whether or not you solved the fuel flow problems.Are you running with an air filter!If so, does it need replacing!If the plugs are black and you are using too much fuel, is the mixture correct or as another poster has stated, is the choke stuck!

I stil think your problems are fuel related rather than electrical.

socram, Apr 22, 7:25am
Minis will not like 91 fuel.it is an old engine design and the additive will only prevent valve recession.I'd probably be using a minimum of 95 or even 98.Definitely NOT 91 - ever.As stated above, check oil in the carb damper and the timing.
You haven't stated whether or not you solved the fuel flow problems.Are you running with an air filter!If so, does it need replacing!If the plugs are black and you are using too much fuel, is the mixture correct or as another poster has stated, is the choke stuck!

I still think your problems are fuel related rather than electrical or worse case scenario, maybe even a burned out valve.Have you done a compression test!Any competent mechanic could do that for you and it only takes a few minutes. I take it that the tappets/valve clearances are OK!

"A" series engines are pretty bullet proof and about as simple and straightforward as any ever produced.

ladyjet1, Apr 22, 6:19pm
Thanks for that, I've never had any probs running 91 with additive, was getting 18k a litre out of same engine prior to it going into this car. However, think I will change to 95 and see if it makes any difference.Not burning any oil and sounds sweet.Have added some oil to damper, getting good fuel now to carb, re-earthed (again!) fuel pump and put in new inline filter although the other looked ok, have an air filter ordered, again, not sure how to judge when it needs replacing, so doing it anyway.Choke cable isn't sticking on.Took it for a spin after checking condenser and points (to the best of my ability with my workshop manual! I tell myself it is just like a recipe book, follow the instructions)It ran sweet, 100km no trouble, no splutters or coughs. I'm still not trusting it though, I'm not convinced I have fixed the original problem of it just dying at idle. and it hasn't happened since.I'm going to get a friend to give it a good tune up, hopefully alleviate my fears.Thanks heaps for everyone's advise - love the wee car but sometimes think I've bitten off more than I can chew!

jmma, Apr 22, 6:24pm
Stick with it, you are learning all the time, enjoy (o:

pettal, Apr 22, 6:36pm
just a thought = check thepolarity is matching on all the electrics .

ladyjet1, Apr 22, 6:42pm
OMG, now I really have no idea what you mean. electrics (shudder). I couldn't even wire up my stereo in it!

socram, Apr 22, 7:43pm
Congratulations on a) giving it a go b) listening c) learning.All I can say is best of luck as life with a Mini sure is the fastest way to learn the basics!
Don't worry about the electrics as you are already doing well on the mechanical side.That can come later.

ajayzbabe, Apr 23, 6:13pm
Where have you got the fuel pump located! near the tank! or up on the firewall! Facet pumps seem to pump better than suck

supernova2, Apr 23, 6:23pm
You say the choke cable is not sticking but have you checked the jet arm on the carb.Easier with two people.One to pull/push the knob/cable and the other to watch the jet arm at the carb.Its probably all shown in your manual.Also check that the carb piston isint sticking.That should be shown in the manual as well.I dont see that you need anything better than 91.Useing 95 or higher wont help the lack of lead in the fuel and i'm pretty sure the comp ration of your motor wont need anything better than 91.You should be useing the valvemaster but is that addative still available!

socram, Apr 23, 7:18pm
NZ 91 is far too low for a Mini engine.I know it won't help the lack of lead but the timing would need seriously retarding and I am guessing here, but it might even need different plugs.

I remember well a Cars & Car Conversions article many years ago.
They took their race Mini to the rolling road on Champion N9Y or N6Y plugs, (known to be good for hot road Minis) and before putting in the race plugs, checked it on the rolling road.From memory, it was about 120bhp.
They put the recommended race plugs in and the reading dropped to about 90bhp. They didn't believe it, so put the road plugs back in and sure enough, the missing horsepower returned. They then tried a whole swag of road and race plugs and took readings on all of them.At the end of the day, they ended up with the same Champions they started with!

Basically, they surmised that plug choice was a significant factor in a race Mini engine, so I wouldn't be at all surpised if it wasn't critical even in a road engine, particularly with crap fuel.

pebbles61, Apr 23, 7:26pm
I tried NGKs on my landcrab, they were rubbish and want straight back to the perfectly fine champions too lol

smac, Apr 23, 7:30pm
I guess what I'm after before offering too much more in the way of help is a full description of what has been done here. There's mention of 3 years off the road, also the fact the engine has been switched from one car to another.all sounds a bit sketchy.

SO: when was it running right, what has changed since then, what has been changed to attempt to tune it (EVERY thing), what are the symptoms now etc etc. Also a description of the engine: what head , cam,carb, fuel line set up (as above: where is the pump etc) Where is the timing set to, what are the rocker gaps at, what is the dwell angle reading, what's the resistance on teh HT leads, also for the coil.

Otherwise it's all guess work.

smac, Apr 23, 7:30pm
I guess what I'm after before offering too much more in the way of help is a full description of what has been done here. There's mention of 3 years off the road, also the fact the engine has been switched from one car to another.all sounds a bit sketchy.

SO: when was it running right, what has changed since then, what has been changed to attempt to tune it (EVERY thing), what are the symptoms now etc etc. Also a description of the engine: what head , cam,carb, fuel line set up (as above: where is the pump etc) Where is the timing set to, what are the rocker gaps at, plug gap, condition, what is the dwell angle reading, what's the resistance on the HT leads, also for the coil.

Otherwise it's all guess work.

jmma, Apr 23, 7:41pm
Damn you forgot to ask what colour it is and if she knew all that, she would be a Mechanic and wouldn't need our help (o:

planespotterhvn, Apr 23, 7:53pm
POR15 fuel tank sealer http://www.por15.com/
But gotta clean the inside of the tank and pipes and recondition or renew your pump. Derust the inside of the tank by putting a few cups full of kero or petrol and a cupful of nuts and bolts and shaking it till you are blue in the face, have a rest and shake it some more. Rinse out or blast with a kero wash gun dry with compressed air, final clean with the POR15 kit cleaner.

Oh here ais a thought.the pick up tube in the tank may be blocked restricting the inlet of the pump. Remove the inlet of the pump and rig up a test inlet pipe sitting in a contater of petrol. Try the pump now to isolate whether the pump is still not performing. If it now works ok then th blockage is in the tank and supply tubing. You could try reverse blowing compressed air back into the tank via the pump supply pipe under the bonnet to free up any blockage. But you will still have to clean out the tank eventually.

beast9, Apr 23, 7:57pm
it is not a good idea to put compressed air anywhere near the pump as that can damage small parts in it but i would take the pump out and rig up a line to it from a container of petrol to another container apply power and see what happens

ladyjet1, Apr 23, 7:57pm
*deep breath* ok, the engine was originally out of a landcrab, it's an 1100 that had at the time I put it in my mini had the carb rekitted, new points, condenser, fuel pump etc.Ran like a rocket (on 91 with additive), had had timing, tappets etc etc done (by a qualified mechanic) - right, 3 years ago I wrote it off (long ugly story).Just over a year ago I relocated the wreck to where I live now, and sourced a body in good nick, with stuffed engine and interior.I've swapped it all out. - certified engine, mags, bucket seats, retractable belts, flares front spoiler etc etc (which I knew how to put a pic up I'd show it off )So, the wreck had sat for over 3 years.transplanted it, with the intention of getting it tuned up. but it fired up and has run sweet for over a month.No problems starting cold or whatever.(incidently I've driven it round a bit today with no probs but I was a bit nervous!)What I've done, is replaced a section of fuel line I wasn't happy with (had a crack but wasn't right through)replaced fuel filter(fuel pump is on fire wall - never had an issue with it there in the last car)checked sparkplugs (sooty) and leads (all good, they were new on other mini)done the checks on points/condenser that my mini bible told me - seems fine.I haven't touched the carb, besides a bit of oil in the dashpot - I'm a bit scared of that bit.Choke cable is fine - had my 11 year old in the car while I was under the bonnet (same with spark and condensor checks) he won't get dirty though! :)I'm inclined to think. based on the fact it's been good today, that either I blew something sticking out the fuel line when I've disconnected it at various points, or that there is something settled in the carb. I can't see how it could be anything else. I am going to get a mechanic friend to give it a full tune up which hopefully will help with fuel consumption and check the carb for me.

ladyjet1, Apr 23, 8:01pm
I'm doubting a serious blockage - it's using more fuel than it should, it possibly may have been my initial problem as I'd let the fuel get really low - but overall it chewed through that tank of gas.

ladyjet1, Apr 23, 8:01pm
the pumps working fine - gushing through.