Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello all,

Am a Morris owner of one week now! Just a couple of questions that I would like some feedback on. When I turn on the ignition I have noticed a ticking sound (like a very slow clock), before I start the engine. Is this normal? Seems to be coming from behind the dashboard. The other sound that concerns me is a squeaky sound when I'm driving, gets faster as the cars does so wonder if there is something scraping ...would appreciate any ideas here.....and yes I am totally clueless when it comes to anything mechanical

Perfectly normal - thats your petrol pump
If you dont hear that your going nowhere!

Squeaky sound is it related to engine revs - road speed or road surface/bumps?

Hi Knitty, Don't worry the ticking sound is the petrol pump (mounted on the engine side of the bulkhead behind glovebox/speedo passenger side of car. if its gentally ticking away no worries - when it doesnt it usually means the the floatchamber is stuck of you are suffering from petrol evapourisation (this only happens in v.hot weather ! If it does "stick" a gentle will restore ticking.

The squeeky sound could be a number of the Morris "characteristics" - springs shock absorbers bedding in if new etc. Dive with the window down with a passenger to see where its coming from if it really concerns you.

That should read a gentle "tap" will restore it I carry a small rubber hammer

The other sound that concerns me is a squeaky sound when I'm driving, gets faster as the cars does

That'll be the hamster.
When you press the accelerator down it pokes him in the ribs to make him run faster in the engine.

dunketh wrote:

The other sound that concerns me is a squeaky sound when I'm driving, gets faster as the cars does

That'll be the hamster.
When you press the accelerator down it pokes him in the ribs to make him run faster in the engine.

hahaha...thank you ...perhaps I should give him a carrot as well

Orkney wrote:Perfectly normal - thats your petrol pump
If you dont hear that your going nowhere!

Squeaky sound is it related to engine revs - road speed or road surface/bumps?

Seems to be road speed ... perhaps something scraping??

Hmm could be a multitude of things - first thing to do is when your going along and hear it take the handbrake up a couple of clicks - sometimes if not adjusted properly the cables might not sit right and it can cause a scaping tinkly noise on the propshaft.
Hopefully it might be something as simple, or even a squeaky bush. Hope its something simple anyway!

Thanks for the tip Orkney, will check it out tomorrow on the way to work

You'll grow to listen out for (and love) the ticking when you turn the key Its the secret handshake of Minor owners!

You could try disconnecting the fan belt?

This would rule out the water pump and dynamo* which are often a source of speed-related squeaks.

Don't run the engine for long without it though!

(* at least it would on an A series, I dont know how these parts are mounted on a sidevalve - still worth a try though.)

Maybe just the speedo drive cable running dry.

Orkney wrote:Hmm could be a multitude of things - first thing to do is when your going along and hear it take the handbrake up a couple of clicks - sometimes if not adjusted properly the cables might not sit right and it can cause a scaping tinkly noise on the propshaft.
Hopefully it might be something as simple, or even a squeaky bush. Hope its something simple anyway!

Tried the handbrake just like you suggested. One click and the noise lessened...two clicks and it seemed to go away altogether!!. Now I just gotta figure out how you adjust the cables

NICE !!!
Well you have Bolli to thank for that fault finding diagnosis !


When she's in the back of the trav it makes that noise, in my case its because someone fitted a new cable one side only but redrilled the floor when a new panel was put in- so the fixed eye bolt for the cable outer is in the wrong place, this distorts the cable so any bumbs or weight in the back makes it rub the propshaft.

e.g.



If this isnt the case with yours then you might be lucky again and it could be handbrake adjustment required. Hopefully someone who knows that proceedure will be along shortly......

Love your dog Just wondering, would I be doing any damage if I drive with the handbrake a couple of clicks on?

badfelafel wrote:You'll grow to listen out for (and love) the ticking when you turn the key Its the secret handshake of Minor owners!

I think if it more like a heartbeat

Just wondering, would I be doing any damage if I drive with the handbrake a couple of clicks on?

Depends how well your handbrake works - and no its not the answer, your fixing the symptom not the cause doing that.
At least if its just that then nothing serious - hopefully adjustment should take care of it.

Apparently according to the books handbrake needing an adjust is a sign of footbreak wear (assuming it was correct in the first place)
So first up you need to adjust and test the footbrakes.
Then to adjust the handbrake - lock the rears on the snail adjusters - apply handbrak to 3rd or 4th click - remove cable slackness on the nuts by teh lever (do not overtighten) release and check neither rear brakes are binding.

But do check your brakes all round first, unless you know they are all new, even so they still might need adjusting.

First step - look to see if this is really what's going on. If the brakes need adjusting - first tighten up the 'snail' adjusters in each rear drum. Then - if the handbrake movement is over-long (more than 3 clicks) then tighten the brass nuts on the handbrake lever (just look under the carpet - near the lever floor mounting) until the movement is as you wish. The cables shouldn't be anyhwere near the prop shaft!

Under the carpet? Not seen that before - which isn't to say it can't be the case, of course
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Well -mine are under flaps of carpet that envelop the base of the handbrake lever! But of course they are not original carpets - but they are a proper 'fitted' set - supplier unknown - they came with the car.