Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello, my moggy has been left standing for the last two months while I have been at university.

I tried starting it today, but to no avail. The battery quickly died, so I hooked up another. I can hear the starter motor turning the engine, it is just not starting.

Any ideas on what I can do??

Thanks, Jake

Is it turning fast enough?
Can you hear the fuel pump ticking? Give it a whack on the metal part with a large spanner while the ignition is on to give it some encouragement
Even if it doesn't spring into life it will make you feel better.

Check you are getting a spark at the plugs - take off a plug lead and hold it with insulated pliers close to the engine block and get someone to crank the engine - you should see a spark arcing between the lead end and the engine.

If OK check you are getting fuel to the carb - remove the fuel line where it attaches to the carb and again crank the engine while putting the fuel line into a container - fuel should flow.

See how you get on.

Most likely the fuel pump contacts have stuck. A quick thump usually get the pump running again and you will hear it start ticking very fast at first then slow down once the float chamber is full of fuel. The fuel pump (just in case you didn't know) is mounted to the right side of the battery, looking from the front of the car and is a cylinder shape. Metal part has 2 pipes attached to it and the other end has a plastic cap on it. If a thump doesn't get the pump running you will have to remove the plastic cap and run some paper through the points to clean them up a bit. Don't run pump without cap on though or you will loose some important bits

Thanks for the replies everyone. I will have another go tomorrow and see how I get on!

If the battery power is down you can quite often start the car on the handle when it won't start on the starter motor. This is because all the power is used for the spark plugs rather than most of it going to the starter motor.
First things as has been said, check the fuel pump is working and the plugs are sparking. If you still have problems come back tomorrow with a list of what you have checked and we can go through the next items to check.

I gave the fuel pump a few whacks and it didn't do anything, then while I was checking the spark plugs, the fuel pump suddenly jumped into life! I was then able to start 'er up using the handle.

Would you advise me to clean the plugs and pump, or will they clean themselves now the car is up and running again?

I would definately clean the fuel pump contacts just to stop it from playing up again if you leave the car for a few days....

Yes - clean the pump points - or it will be bound to let you down on a dark rainy night! Well done starting on the handle - many can't do it!

good way to break a thumb if incorrect hand placement, keep your thumb alongside of index finger in case handle kicks back