not starting

[clam]

i purchased my moggy at the end of last year and have had work done on it, the latest problem is, the car turns over but does not always start, we have to play with the starter button and the choke button. this does does not always work and the car has to be jumped started. i have been advised it was the points, these have been replaced along with the distributor cap and leads. it ran for a week then started with the same problem, the points where again replaced and its hit and miss with starting. can someone help me please, as i don't want to take it back to the mechanic again, as i seam to be replacing the same part each time.

[EwenCameron]

Where are you located.

[clam]

west yorkshire

[EwenCameron]

http://www.mmocwestyorkshirebranch.co.uk/contacts.asp

Maybe if you try your local branch for help.
Have you got a good battery installed.

[clam]

new battery, alternator, spark plugs, leads, fuel pump every thing has been replaced in last couple of months. problem is this starting.
thank you

[panky]

Is the problem only starting from cold or all the time?

[biomed32uk]

Well there's only two things required to get it to start, petrol and a spark.

Is the fuel pump delivering fuel and is there any in the float chamber. Take the pipe off the carb, with the pipe in a suitable container switch the ignition on, should be plenty of fuel, cant remember the spec for how much in what period.

Are you getting a good healthly spark ?, use a spare plug or take one out, connect it to one of the HT leads, lay the body somewhere earthed (dont hold it) and spin the engine over, should be good fat spark. If its feeble then under compression it will struggle.

Have you changed the condenser, a new one does not mean its OK, some of the new stuff is of very dubious quality.

Is the dizzy cap tracking out somewhere, look at it in the dark and see if you can see sparks jumping around.

Is your timing correct ?.

You obviously have to pull the choke a way out to get it to start, and can then push it back in a little until the engine warms up.

So make sure theres petrol, and then a good spark, if no spark then start working back through the ignition system methodically.

[biomed32uk]

Another thought I have had - is the jet on the carburettor moving downwards when you pull the choke out ??

[bmcecosse]

If it starts on jump leads - I suggest the battery is knackered or not being charged properly. Points burning out suggests failed condenser or possibly a 9 volt ballast coil fitted.

[clam]

Thank you for the replys. Sat waiting for tow truck. Been advised coil faulty, as no spark. Fuel pump checked battery checked.

[biomed32uk]

Oh dear, but at least when something breaks properly you know what it is and have something to fix. I as an engineer pray for that moment sometimes when it goes wrong properly, when you keep getting called back to something and cant find anything wrong.

I've an Accuspark coil and at the moment it going OK, been on 15 months or so now.

[bmcecosse]

May just as easily be points/condenser/low volts wire/rotor arm. I advise getting a complete known good spare dizzy and old coil and carry them in the car....