Engine Catches but won't start

[Purbeckfossil]

Thanks for all your comments, people.

As the most likely problem seems to be the Head gasket, I have just removed the head and have a blow in the gasket (again) which seems to lead me down the head-skimming route. I have a few piccies of the state of the head if anyone wants to comment. Where the gasket has blown (head-gasket-02) you can see there has been pressure from the water way on the block onto the gasket as there is no hole here to the water way directly above on the head. Do I have the wrong gasket i.e. should there be a hole on the gasket at this point between cylinders 2 & 3. This is a 1275 engine which I was told uses the same gasket as a 1098. I feel I need to verify this before organising a head-skim.[frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

That's not really a 'blow' that would affect engine running - although it would soon have gotten worse to the point it would affect the running - or at least an overheating/water loss problem. You say you have a 1275 engine ? But that's NOT a 1275 head you show in the pictures......and it IS a 1275 gasket. What's the engine number ? And what's the casting number on the top face of the head?? It looks like it could be a 12G295 head????

[Purbeckfossil]

Hi, there, The engine No: is OMA-UK-H359619 & The number on the head casting is 26453-MOW0(0)(or G)-12G202. The pressure dimple on the head gasket that I have circled is blown through and I have emulsion soup in the rocker box.

[Purbeckfossil]

The engine number on the V5C is 12VEH38470 but the number I quoted on the previous post is on the plate on the LHS of block (driver's side)

[bmcecosse]

The original number (12V etc) shows a 1275 engine - but the number on the engine you have now is some sort of recon number. Can you do a picture of the top of the block with that 1275 gasket in place ??? The head is a bog standard 1098 head - and not at all suitable for a 1275 engine........ Looks like you have a 1098 engine - with the wrong head gasket fitted! A 1098 engine does NOT use a 1275 gasket - unless fitting a 1275 (12G940) cylinder head. It uses the small bore gasket as sold for the 998 Mini. If that number is actually 10 M etc - then that confirms a 1098 engine.

[Purbeckfossil]

Thanks for your comments. Here is a picture of engine with gasket on. If it is a 1098cc engine, this explains a lot.[frame][/frame]

[Matt]

Thats a small bore 1098/948 engine...

[bmcecosse]

Indeed yes - it's a 1098 engine....... Use a 998 Mini head gasket (local autoparts place will be inexpensive) . But that's not the reason you had the starting problem - so once the head is back on - we can get back to that!

[Matt]

well the compression would have been lower, which wouldn't help! But its very unlikely to have caused your problems

[MarkyB]

Number 4 looks darker than the rest but it would still run on three.
What carb or carbs have been fitted?

[Purbeckfossil]

It's a standard SU. I think the picture is a bit dim at No:4. It's about the same as the others on closer inspection.

[Purbeckfossil]

Will sort out a replacement gasket and report back next week. Thanks for all your input.

[Purbeckfossil]

Hi Chaps. Thanks for all your comments and helpful input. The SAGA has ended! New 1098 gasket fitted. Emulsion soup drained, sump off and everything cleaned. Tappets set, engine started easily and have just re-torqued after short run. Now need to get the V5C changed to reflect correct cc. Pity the previous owner(s) didn't care enough to keep the doco current! Just about to drop the top and enjoy (in my dreams) the balmy November Dorset sun.

[bmcecosse]

Don't forget to reset the valve gaps.....12 thou inlets and 15 thou exhausts......

[joe clark]

guess you solved that problem by now.was it ign. switch only giving power while cranking Go direct battery to coil for test Joe Clark Oh somehow missed your post on problem solved Happy motoring

[coop.the.artist]

Did you resolve this issue? I have exactly the same symptoms. Ive tried everything too.

[bmcecosse]

coop Start a new thread with your problem and we will advise you best way forward........