Morris Minor Owners Club

Evening. Thought I'd go away to thetford for the weekend with my girlfriend in my moggy. I'm currently stuck at bp north of thetford with a wierd misfire and tapping noise. The rac are on their way but I wanna know what's wrong! She was driving ok before we stopped and drive ok with the foot off but doesn't run right...help!

Where is the tapping from?
It may just be a tappet adjuster has unscrewed and isn't opening the valve.

Rac said most likely blown head gasket. Runs ok when you lift the throttle off but under load is.horrible. ill use my recovery with FJ to take us home tomorrow.. :'(

Do you have a starting handle?
You should be able to detect lack of compression on one or more cylinders (ignition off) with it.

The lengths some people will go to to spend the night in a car with the girlfriend. In the old days just running out of petrol was sufficient.

My first thought was head gasket. Hope all goes well.

Damn. Ya got me. How do I detect lack of compression without taking the plugs out, I haven't got any tools. We're going to get the breakdown with my insurance to take us home. Would they arrange recovery for tomorrow afternoon if I call now.?

You just turn the engine over with the starting handle - feeling for even compressions. Mad to travel without tools and spares....... A head gasket is an essential.......

[ A head gasket is an essential.......[/quote]
Only if you know how to fit it.

I'm sure the RAC man would know how.

Not sure if the RAC would know these days - it would mean getting hands dirty.....but all Minor owners know how to swap a head gasket - surely!