Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi Everyone, Is it normal in a Minor,when it has sat for a few days, and then when I next take her out she slows down and cuts out a few times.
Then I pop the bonnet, take the dizzy cap off and part the points a few times then she starts again, this tends to happen when I take her out after she has been parked up for a few days.has anyone else experienced this, if so how did you cure it???

Also I took "Aunty Mable" to the auto spark to night and on the way home she sounded a bit "Hoarse" like a throaty sound as if you or I needed to clear our throat. Then as above she was slowing down but this time she didnt stall. the only thing I have done on her this week is tighten the fan belt. If the belt was to tight would this cause the "hoarseness"??

Answers to both questions please
thanks in advance
Mark & "Aunty Mable"

First question = No it's not normal
second question= renew points and condenser
third question=check exhaust to manifold joint, and/or slacken belt to eliminate that possibility.

Could just be damp, the cutting out, do you find it difficult to start in the mornings? If so invest in a can of ignition sealant such as holt's damp start.

No she starts first time every time, Ive just been lookin in my haynes manual, and it said to check if the condenser has failed turn the ignition on and part the points by hand and if a spark passes between the points then the condenser has failed and this could lead to miss firing between journeys.

Does the condenser have to be specific for the minors distributor or can I go into a motor factors and get any brand of condenser.

Mark & "Aunty Mable"

les wrote:First question = No it's not normal
second question= renew points and condenser
third question=check exhaust to manifold joint, and/or slacken belt to eliminate that possibility.

Exactly what I'd recommend.

minor_hickup wrote:invest in a can of ignition sealant such as holt's damp start.

Should not really be needed on a Minor if all is well due to the position of the dizzy. On a Mini it's a must but that's because the dizzy is right behind the front grille where all the water comes in.

MarksMinor wrote:Ive just been lookin in my haynes manual, and it said to check if the condenser has failed turn the ignition on and part the points by hand and if a spark passes between the points then the condenser has failed and this could lead to miss firing between journeys.

No that's incorrect. If the condenser is working there will STILL be a spark but it will be reduced in intensity. Condensers cost around £2.50 so it's not really worth messing about. Just replace it. The ignition system will work fine without a condenser for a short while but the points terminals will burn (and eventually stop conducting properly) due to the constant spark arcing which the condenser helps to vastly reduce.

Does the condenser have to be specific for the minors distributor or can I go into a motor factors and get any brand of condenser.

It has to be pretty specific due to the size/shape to fit inside the dizzy and have the right connnectors on but electrically speaking pretty much any 12v working vehicle ignition condensor will do.

If the motor factor is a decent one it should still stock Minor points and condensers as they were fitted to a wide variety of cars including Minis.

If you are struggling to get one then try any of the Minor suppliers. ESM have dispatched orders in less than 24 hours for me before.

Have a look at: http://shop.morrisminorspares.co.uk/ind ... 24e24c6467

It won't run without a condenser - spark far too weak. Get home trick is to fit a suppressor capacitor externally to the dizzy - from the main lead to earth - it works!
What exactly is the 'auto spark' - and if as i suspect it is auto electricain - what did he do ?

Yup, 'spark' or 'sparky' is slang for electrician, and has been since at least WW II - surprised you don't know that.

The "throaty roar" might be caused by a bdaly fitting or broken air filter. If we're talking 1098cc engine then the air filter case will be sort of conical with a flat base against the carb. There should be a long metal tube about 1.25 inches diameter sticking out. Some people call it the silencer tube. If it's fallen off due metal fatigue then it won't be silencing the air intake !

Good point, that might help make mine quieter too. But wasn't that just to guide warm air into the carb?

You're right, Onne, and certainly it should point towards the exhaust in the winter and away in the summer; but it's primary purpose is as a silencer - and very effective it is too; but I can speak only from experience on the 1098. The 948 had a similar tube from the side of the container; and I'm not sure about the earlier cars - but no doubt someone will know.....

I have got a 1098 under the bonnet, but I don't have the tube, that has fallen of sometimes in the past

Does it make any difference to the engine efficiency without the tube?

simmitc wrote:You're right, Onne, and certainly it should point towards the exhaust in the winter and away in the summer; but it's primary purpose is as a silencer - and very effective it is too; but I can speak only from experience on the 1098. The 948 had a similar tube from the side of the container; and I'm not sure about the earlier cars - but no doubt someone will know.....

Apparently. the Australian built cars didnt have them ('zat right, Scott?). Just thought you might be interested

Tris wrote:Does it make any difference to the engine efficiency without the tube?

During the winter, yes it will. Warm air gives better economy, cool air gives better power, very cold air gives ice in the carb!

Its certainly effective in silencing, mine has fallen off and its much louder. My dad gave me a pancake air filter but i've opted for the noisy standard instead of messing about with needles and the foam filter looked dubious. I doubt it would be very effective in removing harmful particles.

As for the damp start I found it quite effective when starting on damp cold mornings, but I used to keep the car outside.

Mine has fallen off too ! 'Spark' must be english thing - not used up here. I'm full of surprises Mr Ginger !

'Spark' must be english thing

Err... I've never heard the term before either.

I haven't heard of it either, but it makes sense.

bmcecosse wrote:Mine has fallen off too ! 'Spark' must be english thing - not used up here. I'm full of surprises Mr Ginger !

It is used 'up there', Mr Ecosse - you've just not heard it, and I'm still surprised. What exactly are the surprises?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrician

An "Auto Spark" is An auto electrician, what do you call a domestic or industrial electrician, in N Ireland where im from any form of electrician is called a "Spark"
The auto spark put a new armature in the dynamo. and I got a new condenser both fitted today, have not taken her out on a test run yet.
Thanks for all the info,

Mark & "Aunty Mable"