Miss-Firing problems! HELP!

[pyebibby]

Shes been in the garage nearly a week now, and i personally dont have any idea about under the bonnet?! she failed her MOT last week then had a headgaskett fitted, new suspension (front) and a couple of electrical problems (issue with the wipers and lights fuse) then at the start of the week she passed her MOT (YEY!) only too break down less than a mile from the centre! She has now had a new distributor cap fitted because she is missing firing on 1, aswell as new spark leads. Still shes Miss-firing and the mechanic has given up as he is having to do other work wich sadly now has become a priority because of the extensive work mine has had done, He is not a specialist Morris Mechanic but has just finished restoring one that is now driving in the local area. He just can't work out whats wrong but as he said, he's done everything he can think and its such a simple little machine it must be something easy!

I obvioulsy can't really tell you much more than this, but if anyone has any clue as too what might be up? would be much apreciated

Thanks
Jamie

[bmcecosse]

Has the cylinder head been tightened down again ? And - why did it have a new gasket anyway ?? Have the valve gaps been set - after that re-tightening ?? also worth looking to see is the valves are opening and closing as they should - run it with thr cover off for a few minutes. If you take the plug out #1 - is it wet/oily ? Tried another plug in #1 ? Try another HT lead on # 1. A compression test would be very useful to help us with the diagnosis.

[chrisryder]

you mention distributor cap and leads, but has he tried the condenser? or the coil? it could be the headgasket gone again, but even when i forgot to torque mine down it took around 1000 miles to go again. or it could be that the head or block weren't cleaned perfectly before gasket fitting.

i agree with the suggestion of a compression test. they can show you a lot that you can't see.

[d_harris]

you mention distributor cap and leads, but has he tried the condenser?

My initial reaction.

[bmcecosse]

It's said to be only mis-firing on # 1 - so can't really be the capacitor IF that's true. But I agree - it's easily checked - just strap a radio suppressor or a spare capacitor on the outside of the dizzy or the coil. If instant fix - there's the problem.

[mike.perry]

My trick is to run the engine in the dark and watch for any stray sparks

[pyebibby]

Well i spoke too my girl friends old man and he mentioned something about points? and the timer? (as you can tell i really have no clue! i will give him a bell tommorow and just advise him on you thourghts! ) the other option im looking at is taking her too a local morris garage... any one have any ideas on where the nearest is? Im in Bridport, DOrset, there has been mentions of a bloke in Crewkerne, over the border in Somerset? any ideas?

Thank you very much anyway people.

Pyebibby

[dalebrignall]

sounds like the ignition system needs cheacking try rtg services ,based in bath you will need to google them to find details .