Car not running right. Broken spark plug?

[James k]

Success! I've just got back from a forty mile trip and the cooling system is performing much better. The heater didn't get excessively hot, not even the radiator did and it didn't lose any coolant or overflow. It looks like all that rust and sludge was causing me problems!

I'm about to fit the new speedo cable (which arrived very quickly from ESM, ordered at about 4pm yesterday) then I may have a go at the engine steam clean. Plus there's still the brake adjustment to do :/

Thanks very much for all your help, it's been invaluable!

[panky]

Excellent, wont do any harm to run it round for a while and repeat the flushing - and still give the thermostat studs a soaking in release oil ,might as well complete the job and take a look at the thermostat. Well done that man

[James k]

I've just replaced the speedo cable, not so successful :/ Replacing the cable was very straightforward but the speedo still doesn't work. The cable turns when I drive (it had snapped before) but the speedo doesn't move. What could the problem be?

[panky]

Either the cable hasn't located properly in the speedo or gearbox drive, alternatively the speedo could be knackered Try taking the cable off at the gearbox end and spin the cable with a drill to check if the speedo end is doing anything.

[James k]

The new cable was spinning round after I fitted it. I checked to see if it was seated right and ran the car again. The cable has now snapped I assume the speedo is broken and snapping the cable :/

[James k]

I've just checked the speedometer and the drive is seized, it won't turn at all. No wonder the cable snapped. If only I'd checked before putting the new one in is it possible to repair a speedometer yourself?

[bmcecosse]

It is, but rarely worth the hassle. Plenty on eBay.

[James k]

My only worry with buying another one is that it might not work or also break soon. Would it not be more reliable to have mine reconditioned?

Also, I just tried the 'steam clean' trick on the engine. I was expecting huge clouds of dirty vapour from the exhaust but only got a small amount like it would do normally in winter :/

[bmcecosse]

Keep going....and be sure to run it long and hard enough to dry it all out.

[James k]

So I should aim for huge clouds of vapour? How do I know that I'm not putting too much in?

[bmcecosse]

What you have done will loosen up the gunk and it will blow out next full throttle run

[James k]

Great. What do you reckon on the speedometer issue? I really don't want to end up with another non-working or misreading speedometer. I'm so annoyed that I snapped that new cable too, such a waste of money

[SteveClem]

When I had my Austin speedo reconditioned,about 5 years ago,it cost about £40plus vat. Probably worth it because they are harder to find than Minor parts. You pays your money,you takes your choice...

[Trickydicky]

Here you go, Google is a wonderful tool
http://obswww.unige.ch/~wildif/cars/doc ... repair.pdf

[James k]

Thanks! That gave me the confidence to take the whole thing to pieces. I got to the magnet wheel which was completely seized, It felt like a tooth had snapped somewhere and jammed itself in something else, it just wasn't moving. I tried some WD40 anyway and, with a bit of effort, it started to budge. Lots of WD40 later and spinning, first with my hand and then with a drill, it was completely freed up. It had been completely jammed up with gunky oil from the speedo cable. I cleaned out as much gunk as I could with WD40 and lots of spinning before cleaning it up and lubricating it with some 3 in 1. I put it all back together and ran it with a drill and it works!!! I can't believe I managed to fix it!

If only I hadn't connected that new cable up and broken it too I wouldn't have wasted any money. I've ordered a new one so hopefully I'll be back with a working speedo tomorrow! [frame][/frame]

[James k]

And one of the magnet wheel and the gunk that came out of it. It's dispersed a lot in this picture so it doesn't look that dirty, it was black when it came out.[frame][/frame]

[panky]

Well done, another good job done cheap

[Trickydicky]

Well done James, So what's next on the list?

[James k]

I'm not sure yet. There's quite a lot that needs doing. Rear dampers, springs (worn but not awful), a few paint touch ups and ideally reconditioning and fitting a new engine. Sound insulation is also on the list as I'm hoping it will bring me closer to my aim of comfortably using a Morris as my everyday car. I already use it everyday as my only car but it's not quite comfortable yet (bumpy, rattly, noisy, lacking power, smell of exhaust etc.)

I've just fitted the new cable and the speedo is working! It's almost unnervingly smooth, the needle now moves like a modern car instead of looking rather loose and bouncy. I'm not sure if this is good or bad :/ Also, I can hear a very slight tapping noise from the cable when I move slowly. I've oiled the cable lightly with engine oil, should I grease the connector?

[Trickydicky]

I wouldn't grease the connector as it will creep up into the speedo and you will end up with the same problem again. As for the tapping, is the cable seated correctly?