DIY virgin needs urgent help!

[Reculver Vicar]

Hi All you knowledgeable people,

Maurice is unwell.

I have had him for 9 months now and he has started on the button every time.
Recently I have used the headlights....and almost immediately the battery had died.
Swapped the battery.
New points, new plugs, new condenser, air filter changed, oil filter and oil to do, and still he dies.
AA Homestart man did the points. Tested the dynamo. Looked at the regulator and sucked his teeth.
Please tell me where to start (please speak English! not techno as I know nothing)
What shall i check first and how do i check it! - I looked at the electrical faults on the MMOC technical tips and it almost made sense.

AND why does he backfire so much when I lift my foot? It was just the occasional backfire and now it is like rapid machine gun fire. Is it the timing? Or bad gap on the points? or what?

AND having tried myself 4 times with the stuff you get in a tube, and once with silicon magic stuff at the exhaust centre by the pro team, HOW do I get the exhaust to manifold joint to not leak! I wondered about an exhaust bandage under the clamp!

Hopefully yours,
Ronald (and Maurice)

[Jefftav]

You need to get the exhaust to manifold joint sealed up as this could be the source of the machine gun noise. Take the clamp off and clean all the crud off and check the manifold and exhaust for damage. Sometimes the exhaust if it is mild steel will rust away which makes getting a seal difficult. Assuming everything is OK put a smear of exhaust sealing paste in the clamp (you shouldn't need paste as it should be gas tight fit wthout it) and get a helpful person to help support the exhaust from underneath so you can concentrate on getting the clamp on properly. Make sure it is tight with a spanner/socket and follow the instructions so that the paste sets.

Once this is done if you feel it is still misfiring then come back to the forum again but check things like the plugs you replaced are correct for the minor engine and that the points have the correct gap and also that spark plug leads haven't been replaced in the wrong order.

Minors engines are very straight forward and you can't go far wrong Just take your time and make notes of what you have done so that you can backtrack if necessery and never throw away old parts until you are sure the new ones are working correctly. Also check dipstick to see if your oil and water are mixing just in case you have a problem with the cylinder head gasket.

Posting a location is good as maybe a friendly local member might be able to help you out.

Good luck

[mike.perry]

Put a jack under the silencer and raise it until the front pipe fits the manifold, then fit the clamp

[beero]

So are you saying that since you have started using headlights your battery has died and that subsequently the engine has failed to start even though you have changed the battery?
Not too clear on exactly what is wrong (apart from exhaust, for which you already have excellent advise)
What did the AA man say?
PS welcome to the forum, whereabouts are you? Someone close may volunteer to help.

[bmcecosse]

Is the fan belt tight? Is the red light on the speedo going out? You are best to only use the headlights when out of town - when going over 30 mph. Get a cheap meter from Maplins and check the battery volts - should be 13.8/14 with the engine revving decently.

[Reculver Vicar]

THANKYOU all for your help so far.
I will have a go at these various things soon.
(Day off this week taken up with a trip to France....dirty work eh)
but I will keep asking you for more advice.

I am in Herne Bay in Kent
and if anyone fancies an afternoon playing, showing me how to to do simple things I'll make you a cuppa!

Thanks again

Ronald

[chickenjohn]

Hello Reculver Vicar,

I apologise for being away from the board for a while. have just seen your post! I live very close to you (margate) and if you need help and 1:1 advice, please send me a PM and I'll get over to you, perhaps this weekend.

[jothina]

can i just add re exhaust problem i have found the clamps only good for one use as they stretch when you tighten them,
john

[linearaudio]

Worse still seems to be the problem of thinner than original metal causing the flanged part to split prematurely.When mine did this at about 2000miles from new, it was my spur to "upgrade" the exhaust! Maybe some enterprising person could make a batch of heavier gauge flange ends, say 2" long, socketted to clamp over the existing end of your otherwise fine peashooter system?
What is your intention with this machine?? If you are seriously thinking of using it through the winter to round up your errant flock etc, then an alternator is really your answer. Cheap and simple to fit. If you are desperate for help, I could collect the brackets/ alternator (new around £40) and belt and send to you with a set of instructions!!
The suggestion of cruising around town on sidelights is not something I would recommend, you don't need any extra excuses from the "didn't see you" brigade, and I was under the impression that the practise was frowned on by the powers that be!!

[bmcecosse]

Maybe not - but can't see a problem if 'in traffic', in fact I always switch off headlights if close behind other cars. And the 'dynamo' system was fine back in the day when headlights would never be used in town... But I agree - for winter use an alternator is pretty much essential.