Not starting but running problem

[Stoneporch]

My 1969 Minor fires instantly, but doesn't catch. It will eventually catch with the choke fully out. I have just run it for 10 minutes, with exactly the same problem when attempting to restart.
I assume that with the engine running comfortably for a while the pump must be OK.
The car is fitted with 'Sparkrite' electronic ignition.
Any thoughts on the cause would be appreciated.

[simmitc]

Has anything been done to the car immediately prior to this starting to happen?

If you need excessive choke, then check for air leaks.

My first thought was ignition timing, but could we have a little more information - was it running OK, a sudden change or a gradual decline? Any strange noises?

[Stoneporch]

The car was running nicely when I put it to bed around November/December last year and apart from moving it around the drive and garage, when it needed plenty of choke anyway, it seemed okay. However, with hindsight, it was already showing a little reluctance to start and run normally. I haven't altered anything which could affect the running. The battery has been on a constant 'trickle' charge and I can't see any fuel leaks. I have blasted the carb with a proprietary cleaning spray, to no avail. The choke and throttle cables appear to be working normally. I have now exhausted my admittedly feeble amount of knowledge.

[svenedin]

Possibly related to stale fuel

[Stoneporch]

Thanks for the above thoughts.
Stale fuel would explain the sudden deterioration in starting. As I don't have a large container, I have begun a slow business of 'teeming and ladling'
to dilute the stale fuel with sufficient fresh petrol, in the hope that this cures the problem. I will report on the outcome.
Richard.

[geoberni]

I guess to some extent it depends on the quality of the fuel and when it went in the tank, rather than when you put the car into Winter mode...
I last filled Basil in August last year, with ESSO Super, and he has about 1/3 tank left.
He has an Accuspark Electronic Ign'
His seats are out at the moment as I'm going to lay some insulation under the carpet, since he didn't have any when I brought him.

He still fires up within seconds, just as always. Battery was on charge yesterday as I monitor the battery every week or so and it was below 12v a couple of days ago. I left the battery to stand overnight and it read 12.8v this morning.
I fired him up this morning with 1/4 choke, a few blips of the throttle and all was smooth, choke in after 30 seconds and he sits there idling quite happily. Temp's probably around 12C in the garage today.

Yours sounds like a fuel issue but have you checked for a good spark?
I have a set of the Sparkrite Plug in-line plug tester, they're very useful.