Morris Minor Owners Club

I have just picked up a 1968 2 door.
On the way back I had the following probs
The car overheated - piles of steam
The car stopped charging not long after having a new dynam fitted
The heaters failed

Here are my plans - check and replace the regulator
The prob with the rad seems to relate to a perish rad cap seal - new on on order.
Flush the cooling system and check the stat

Does this sound like a sensible course of action.

was a nightmare - hard shoulder of m5 - in the dark and rain - no lights, heat or wipers - happy days

Sounds like the fan belt to me.


And welcome to our happy bunch.

Hello

What colour is the water in the cooling system.

Is there any mayonaise in oil filler cap

You say it overheated for how long did you drive it overheated you may have cooked the head gasket.

Jamie

Hi - no mayonaise in the oil and the fan belt is ok.

I think it is two unrelated probles - or I hope it is two unrelated problems

Hello


The heater stopped working because it lost water and overheated.

What state are the hoses in.

Was the dynamo new or reconditioned.

Jamie

ssnjimb wrote:Hello


The heater stopped working because it lost water and overheated.

What state are the hoses in.

Was the dynamo new or reconditioned.

Jamie

The hoses are ok - the dinamo is new. There seems to be electrical input into the regulator but not out - so I am hoping that is the electrical problem
The seal on the rad cap is us - so i am hoping that caused the overheating prob - ie lost of water due to bqas seal results on overheating?

The car has realised that there is a new driver and is doing what nearly all Minors do, break down. There are numerous posts on the message board of new owners in your situation, they have just bought a reliable car which expires 10 miles down the road. I have had cars which have bent the push rods, the valve rockers have stripped the threads or the distributor has exploded, all within a short time of owning or borrowing them.
When you collect a new car always carry a gallon can of oil and water, do not drive for more than an hour without stopping to check the levels and always check the levels before you enter a motorway

Flush the rad out and if there is a lot of muck in it then get it professionally cleaned and pressure tested, running a hose through it is not always sufficient to clear the core.
There are posts telling you how to check the dynamo and control box

It really shouldn't have overheated just because of a radiator cap seal - the problem is more fundamental. Try flushing etc - that may cure it. Worth checking the stat - but the rarely stick closed - usually open. Just because the dynamo is 'new' doesn't mean it is faultless! Test it by joining the two wires together - still connected to the dynamo - and run the engine. What volts do you get on the battery ? Don't leave the two wires connected!!

Are you sure the heater is US as they are not exactly state of the art when it comes to output especially if things are bunged up a bit, was it working in the first place and is the heater valve open.

Heater would just stop working due to loss of water with the overheating - although - if head gasket is pumping gas into the water system - that too will lock the heater circuit. It's generally the first sign of trouble ahead when the heater packs up!

If you doubt the head gasket, you could do what I did- re-filled the system, waited overnight, took the plugs out, stood to one side and crank the engine on the starter. Mine shot a 2 foot jet of water out of no's 3& 4 plug holes! Reasonable enough proof for me!

He he heh! Good test!