Morris Minor Owners Club

Having sorted the 'absolutely won't start due to defective distributor' problem, I came to start the van today, intending to strobe it properly. All it will do is run for a few seconds then strangle and stall with a loud prolonged 'flutey' (it's a new stainless exhaust so it probably sounds more musical than a mild steel one!) depressurising exhalation from the exhaust. (Haven't actually timed it, feels like it goes on for about 5 seconds after the engine stops, so it's probably only a couple......)

Didn't have time to investigate this evening, will have a proper look tomorrow, but I've never come across this particular symptom before, so thought I'd see if anyone else can figure what's occuring before I lay into it.......

Sounds like fuel shortage !

Pump ticking at the nominal 'keep topped up rate' rather than the frenzied 'no fuel in the pipe to deliver' so I guess it could be a partial blockage in the carb? (I will check that I can trust the fuel gauge first though!)

So are you saying the long quiet exhalation is just the sound of fuel-free compressed air emptying out of the cylinders? (Makes complete sense when I think about it, I guess on the odd occasion when I've run out of fuel in other cars I've not been close enough to the exhaust to hear the 'sighing' effect!)

It sounds like there is a blockage in the exhaust.
A car wont run for very long with this condition and it would explain the noise you are hearing.
If it's the first time you have run it with this system I'd look there straight away.
If you don't mind the noise just disconnect it from the manifold.

It's a brand new exhaust, and it was running fine last week, so there shouldn't be a blockage unless something internally has failed......

Welllllll a prize and 10 points to MarkyB, thanks for suggesting that!..... Split the exhaust off at the manifold and the engine will roar along quite happily! Tried blowing down exhaust with it removed, just a little hiss, simillar effect with a powerful vacuum attached. Passed a length of hose-pipe down and found that there was a loose something in the silencer - it could be encouraged to move back and forth but was too large to pass out either way. Jammed either end it seemed to block the whole shebang.

Since the exhaust has a lifetime warranty, I'll swap it for a new one, though they now come in three sections, so it'll cost a little more

Well spotted indeed MarkyB! Most unusual failure - you say it was brand new exhaust alax3 - yet it has broken up internally already. Can you say where you bought the exhaust ?

It was bought in July from Bull Motif - their more expensive, two section lifetime warranty model. I've not run the engine for more than a few minutes and I was obviously more inclined to blame engine for the new fault, would have taken me ages to get to considering the exhaust!
Spoke to a helpful chap at B.M. yesterday who said that they'd discontinued them because people had problems fitting them, no problem with the warranty but I would have to pay the difference on the new three part 'easy fit' system. (The only prob I found with fitting the two part was getting the 'right' amount of 'insertion' between the two sections, and the outlet seemed to end a little short....)

It feels (using X-ray conjecture ) like the blockage is a stainless disc in the muffler - it can slide up and down the drilled section but jams at either end.

It was mainly that alzax3 said there was a noise for 5 seconds after stopping the engine.
Plugged exhaust is about the only thing I can think of that will do this.
If the exhaust box had a time stamp on it I bet it would say Friday 16.55pm

Since the exhaust is obviously 'not fit for purpose' I would say BM have a cheek to ask for any more money! They should supply a new exhaust and pay for the old one to be sent back (or tell you to scrap it) - nothing else will do!

Well yes, I thought they were a bit cheeky too (probably why they were so keen to talk up the quality of their new model!), but I'm going past their store anyway tomorrow, so I can drop the old one in and not have to mess around with postage at all!

Postage? It's a warranty claim they pay the postage. Yes if they no longer do that model then its fair you choose to pay the extra or accept a refund. They cannot force you to buy a more expensive item. If you pay more for the stainless system make sure its good thick steel.

Good point - you could take a refund I suppose. But for good customer relations (do mention it has been discussed at length on this forum!) they should give you another exhaust of whatever type they have in stock - and a small bag of goodies for your troubles . After all - you've had to fit it, remove it, and now fit another !! Do tell us how you get on - did I say you should mention the lengthy discussion on this forum ??

As soon as you mention the sale of goods act and "unfit for purpose" etc all shop owners are a obliged to comply with you. They will try and get around it, but as soon as you mention that I find their manner changes. Works for me in Hellfrauds!
Interesting little fault remedied there. We had the same problem with a Ford sierra that had been sat in our field for a while. Started on the button (unusual for a ford) and would only run for a few seconds then die. Some farmer style lead foot work on the throttle when it did run soon released the problem......a mouse and its nest made a quick escape from the tail-pipe!

Got back from our Welsh walking holiday yesterday (hence being able to call in at Bull Motif) and fitted the new exhaust this morning - the three sections do make it a doddle to attach, and the driver's side exit end is just that little bit longer (the two-piece seemed to be about 2" too short.) Very quiet - took me a while to realise that the deep occasional 'knock' was the fuel pump not some hidden mechanical horror! So I'm quite happy - didn't press for extra discount, though they've definitely had a pile of returns for various reasons - just relieved that the engine is running so well now!

All's well that ends well then !
I can just see my wife agreeing to stop off and deliver/pick up an exhaust system while we are on holiday! NOT!