Will not start

[Mr Spigot]

I know this is a very familiar topic but now it's my turn to post! Car ran perfectly all weekend and then last night started running roughly at low speeds and stalling at junctions and reluctant to start. Suspected coil which was hot, and changed it this morning. It started again but ran a bit roughly and now it won’t start. Spark tester shows sparks at all 4 cylinders (electronic ignition) and fuel pump working. Sitting at bnb in Netherlands pondering what to do next…any suggestions?

[geoberni]

Well, this going to be a bit random, given that you have spark, but mindful that you have 'electronic ign', I'd be considering a weak spark, and whether there's an issue with the Dissy Cap.
What's the weather like over there?
It's been humid here even when raining, it could be damp in the cap allowing some of the power of the spark to dissipate rather than give you full spark...

[Bill_qaz]

When you checked spark was it to the plugs or are the plugs actually sparking?Is fuel getting to cylinders, if you remove plugs are they wet after cranking.is the distributor still tight, not moved and altered timing? If you remove air filter can you see if piston is* free in carburettor?

[StillGotMy1stCar]

I had a car that used to do what you are describing when the Carb dashpot oil was just a bit low, it would happen without warning.
A top up with engine oil always sorted it. Can of worms I know some prefer SAE20.

Regards John

[myoldjalopy]

I had a car that used to do what you are describing when the Carb dashpot oil was just a bit low, it would happen without warning.
A top up with engine oil always sorted it. Can of worms I know some prefer SAE20.

That is a possibility which would be easy to check. Happened to me too!

[Mr Spigot]

Plugs checked with plug tester and all showing spark. Plugs wet when removed. Dashpot had oil but topped up. Distributor tight and not moved. Piston moving freely. I have just put a fresh set of plugs in and still not firing.

[simmitc]

Have you got good compression on all four cylinders? Don't worry about a gauge for now, just remove all four plugs, place your thumb firmly over one hole at a time and rotate using the starting handle. Can you feel roughly equal compression on all four?

When did you last fill with petrol - are you getting good fuel through, or could it be water - we had that once when the petrol station was hapy to give us compensation, but did not want to admit publicly that their tank leaked

[Mr Spigot]

Have called breakdown service now. Compression good before we left but will get them to check again. This happened just after we filled up, so could be related although fuel coming out of pump looks OK. And no, I didn't put in diesel!

[Bill_qaz]

Did you find the fault?

[Chipper]

I had a car that used to do what you are describing when the Carb dashpot oil was just a bit low, it would happen without warning.
A top up with engine oil always sorted it. Can of worms I know some prefer SAE20.

Regards John

It happened to a pal with a Morris Ital at University, one winter's evening. I topped him up with a little oil and off he went!

[Mr Spigot]

Mechanic still puzzling over the problem but thinks it is definitely carb related. Runs roughly and very rich at idle despite several adjustments. I am awaiting call from him for today’s progress. It does not help being abroad as I could probably get a substitute carburettor relatively easy back in UK, but not so easy in the Netherlands.

[Bill_qaz]

I hope he has had the sense to try with air filter removed incase restricted
Has he checked float and its level and vent is clear?
Always difficult when away from home but at least the Dutch speak English to make communication easier

[Mr Spigot]

Yes he has tried brake cleaner with the filter off and it runs, but seems to be far too rich at idle and stalls under 2000rpm. Filter is relatively new K&N. Ran fine for weeks before suddenly having problems. Was set up on rolling road just over a week ago and ran beautifully so rather puzzled at what could have suddenly changed. He has just got another carburettor to swap over and thinks that should sort it.

[simmitc]

Sorry, can;r recall if you've covered this, but is the choke operating correctly? Perhaps a frayed cable is preventing it returning properly, or the spring has failed, or jet not aligned correctly, preventing proper return.

[myoldjalopy]

Sorry, can;r recall if you've covered this, but is the choke operating correctly? Perhaps a frayed cable is preventing it returning properly, or the spring has failed, or jet not aligned correctly, preventing proper return.

Could be a problem with the choke, as you suggest, but unlikely the jet unaligned as the engine 'ran beautifully' only days ago. As the problem began after filling up, is it possible a bit of dirt in the fuel is stuck between the suction chamber and piston, although OP says 'piston moving freely'? Worth a good clean-up, in any case, to be sure.

[svenedin]

Is there a possibility that the car has been misfuelled? During Minors on Tour 2024 which was to the Netherlands, somebody topped up their tank with what turned out to be diesel even though the receipt clearly said that person had paid for petrol. We could only assume that the petrol station tanks had been filled up with the wrong fuel. I know you have already said you did not put in diesel but have you smelled the fuel coming out of your car's fuel pump? Pure diesel in your tank and your car would have no hope of starting but if there was a mixture of petrol and diesel maybe it would run but very rough?

Stephen

[simmitc]

As the problem began after filling up

Yep, we gained that information after I queried whether fuel could be the problem; but hadn't heard anything back about it, so I was looking for other possibilities. Whilst I had been thinking of water in the fuel, diesel would certainly cause the problem too.

Worth pumping some fuel into a clean clear container and letting it settle for a few minutes to see whether it separates into layers, or looks dirty. Observe safety precautions when dealing with fuel.

[Bill_qaz]

Or drain float bowl and gravity feed it with clean petrol,with electric power to pump disconnected.
Answers whether it's fuel or carburettor issue.
The OP says fitting new carburettor but best eliminate possibility of bad fuel 1st.
But that's just my opinion if it was my car.

[Mr Spigot]

Sorry for the delay in responding but have been chasing up rental cars (RAC European assistance are hopeless at booking you a replacement car) and driving across the Netherlands while checking internet for sources of a new/ reconditioned HIF44 at a reasonable price. We have checked for fuel contamination by using fresh fuel from a separate source and the problem remains. I am thinking it may be the rubber ‘O’ rings on the choke that have perished allowing air/fuel to get into the manifold at idle.

[MidnightMechanic]

Hey, Mr Spigot! Sounds like you've had a rollercoaster of a weekend with your car. It's great that you managed to pinpoint the suspect coil and swapped it out, but it's frustrating that the issue persists. Since you've confirmed sparks at all cylinders and the fuel pump is working, perhaps it's worth checking the fuel injectors, air filter, and the engine's compression next. Sometimes, even seemingly small issues in these areas can cause big troubles. Don't forget to also inspect the spark plugs and the ignition leads. Hopefully, with a bit more troubleshooting, you'll get that engine purring again in no time. Good luck!