Morris Minor Owners Club

Please could someone try and help me work out what the funny noise is my Morris minor van is making. I have only had it about a fortnight and it drives brilliantly but every so often it starts making a noise which sounds a bit like an 'asthmatic rattle' for want of a better word. It speeds up when I increase speed and stops when I apply the brakes. Sorry for the girls description but I would like to try and fix it myself rather than simply go to the garage straight away but I don't want to keep driving it and damage it. so any advice welcome. Thanks

Check if the starter motor is tight - it could be the drive gear rattling on the flywheel.....ps I don't know what an asthmatic rattle sounds like ....???

Welcome to the forum! First thing - check all the wheel nuts are tight before you drive it again! If not that - you need to diagnose it a bit for us. Does it still rattle if you go in neutral and switch off the engine - coasting down a hill ? If it's a very light 'tinkling rattle' only when you apply accelerator - it may be the engine 'pinking'. Run the tank low - then try a gallon or two of the expensive Super grade petrol - is it any better ?

Thanks, I will try coasting down the hill tomorrow and update further.

AFTER checking the wheel nuts!

Is the noise rythmical or just random rattling?

Can you post a recording??????????????

'asthmatic rattle' does it only happen when the engine is working hard?

Going uphill, or trying to accelerate in top gear both count as working hard.

If so the timing is a bit too advanced, wind the knurled wheel on the distributor in the direction marked R and see if this improves matters.

Welcome. Don't worry about the quality of your descriptions, we can usually work things out.

When the engine is cool, try wobbling the exhaust pipe where it joins the manifold, to see if it's a bit loose. Be careful, when the engine has been running, the pipe will be VERY hot. Also check the rest of the exhaust for leaks.

What year / size of engine is it? If a 1098cc, check that the air filter has a long inlet spout protrouding from the base - they are known to fall off. Check that air filter is secured properly. Do you have any tools or mechanical knowledge? That's not intended to be patronising, just to know at what level to pitch ideas. A compression tester could give some useful information.

Whatever it is, don't worry, you've bought an excellent vehicle, and will soon have all the skills that you need ot keep it running. Your local branch might have someone who could listen to the noise and come up with an answer more quickly.

Hi, Thanks to everyone who has had a go at helping me. It is great everyone is so friendly. I have checked my wheel nuts and they were fine. I coasted down a hill, engine off and in neutral and it still made the noise. That's good isn't it? doesn't it just mean something loose and not mechanical? anyway a little more info it seems to start after I have been in third gear because of slow traffic ie not staying in third when I should be in fourth but when you end up staying longer in third but it then makes it in all gears and only stops when I apply the brakes. It then doesn't start again straight away. The engine is a 1275cc from a Morris Marina. I will try checking the exhaust tomorrow I have only just read that bit sorry, Hopefully going to Hardwick on the 12th? Sept (MMOC) so someone might have more idea from hearing the noise there. Thanks again for your help so far.

Check the prop shaft joints - and the bolts holding it to the diff input shaft.

Isn't the clue in "stops when I apply the brakes"? I have known the pull-off springs to rub on the hubs, or the shoes to move into contact with the brake drum. both cause odd noises which cease when the brakes are put on. Does the noise also cease when the hand brake is applied lightly whilst moving? Then it would be rear brakes.

HI further investigation revealed the screws were loose on the rear brake hub. This didn't stop the noise though so we looked at the front brakes and the passenger side makes a noise when you turn the wheel with the wheel removed. Once every rotation there is a grinding sort of noise. Any suggestions as to whether we can investigate this further ourselves would be great.

Could be a brake shoe has worn down to the metal, in which case the wheel cylinders on that side could be sticking. It could also be that one of the spring retainers has rusted through and the spring is loose inside the drum. Remove the offending brake drum to investigate. Otherwise, it could be a very dry wheel bearing!

Obviously you must remove the brake drum and find out what's happening! Should probably NOT drive the car until you have done this - since it seems to be a 'brake' problem. Maybe a spring has broken and the shoe is rubbing on the drum........