Engine Catches but won't start

[Purbeckfossil]

This is a follow-on from my last trip out.

Came home and had a fair amount of white smoke from exhaust. Have replaced head gasket in last few months so was beginning to think it might have failed again and a head skim might be the next step.

Anyway, when I went to start the engine and check a few things out - it catches but will not fire up. The plugs are sparking but not sure if spark is strong. Points & condensor are recently changed but tried a new condenser - no change. Petrol supply to carb OK but whipped the carb off and gave it a good clean. On re-assembly, still catches but won't run. Electrics is not my strong point but could I have a problem with the low tension side of the Distributor. Is it worth getting a replacement? - it's probably the onlt spare I don't have? Until I can run it I can't progress with the "smoking joe" issue

- Thanks.

PS. If it is worth a dizzy change, I have a 1275 engine - is the dizzy common across 1098 / 1275?

[chickenjohn]

couple of suggestions-

Do a compression test (although a Minor will run on two cylinders).

Also, check that the pipe between float chamber and carb jet is not blocked with silt. Blow through with an air gun if you have access to a compressor. You may have fuel to the carb but none getting to the jet.

If you have fuel and a spark the car should run, so two other things to check-

The timing (did you adjust it too far out during the checks on the ignition system, or possibly knocked the distributor out by accident??)

And are you sure diesel hasn't been put in the tank by mistake??

[mike.perry]

Is the carb piston rising and falling correctly?

[bmcecosse]

Tip some neat petrol down the carb throat - does it run?? Feel the compressions with the starting handle - are they all the same ?

[MarkyB]

A good spark is Blue and should jump a 1cm gap with no problem, don't hold HT leads with your bare hands!

[bmcecosse]

A 1cm gap?? Doubtful........

[MarkyB]

How far would you say?
It's certainly more than 25 thou in open air.
I was try to gauge how wide you can open one of those spark testing things and still get a spark.

[bmcecosse]

Aye - but 1cm is 400 thou!!

[MarkyB]

Aye- but answer the question!

[bmcecosse]

My guess - about 80/100 thou - not 400!

[izzi]

Your cylinder head may have a hair line crack
.
If your are going to take the head off,it may be necessary to have a x-ray on the cylinder head.
It's the white smoke that reveals some kind of problem.

Good luck.

Roy.

[crossword]

Just wondering , if you have a 1275 engine , is there a brake servo fitted . I recall white smoke being caused by brake fluid being sucked into the inlet from a faulty servo . It will do no harm to block the vacuum take off at the servo and see if anything changes .

Regards Andrew

[bmcecosse]

The leaky servo is a good point! But it would tend to only do the white smoke immediately after a brake application - and the fluid will be going down......so better check that urgently!!

[Purbeckfossil]

Hello again, I have been busy most of the Summer (what Summer!) so am getting into the dirty gear again. Extra facts: I do have a servo but have not blocked off the vacuum yet. Have also had carb off, cleaned out all silt in reservior etc. Have not touched distributor but could timing be something I should look at.
A quick update on the status of the issue as of today.

1. Plugs cleaned and re-gapped - Nothing amiss here.
2. Contact breaker points removed, cleaned and re-gapped.
3. Engine catches but won't start.
4. Put on new reserve Coil.
5. Engine catches but won't start. - No different
6. Neat fuel into carb.
7. Catches a little better (marginal) but still won't start.

Reading manual, it suggests that fault is with LT side if the engine has spark. Any suggestions once more gratefully received!

[izzi]

Hi,

Do you mean when you put neat fuel in carb it did run a little better, if so it must be a fuel problem.

Roy.

[bmcecosse]

It's 'never' the coil -as you have proved by trying a different one. Put the original back on. It will be more reliable in the long term. You say it 'catches' - but does it kick back against the starter - which would indicate ignition too far advanced. How did this all start - did the car stumble to a halt - and has never worked since? Or did you do some work to it - and now it won't start?

[Purbeckfossil]

No, it almost fired up once but it has only got to the point of disengaing the starter motor as it tries to run!

[Purbeckfossil]

Yes, it is kicking back against starter. I have not done any work when the car originally ceased to start. BUT, I got home after one trip and the exhaust was blowing white smoke. It started a couple of times after this but then stopped. Do you think the timing could be out. Is there anything that could cause the Distributor to slip apart from a loose nut?

[MarkyB]

White smoke is generally steam, I'd have the head off and see if it's cracked and the condition of the head gasket.
Retard the ignition by all means to see if it will run.

Are any of the plugs getting wet?

[bmcecosse]

If it's kicking against the starter - the ignition timing is too advanced - or there may be more serious problems. Retard the timing slightly!