Morris Minor Owners Club

My 1098 has excellent compression figures, but exudes black oily smoke from the exhaust and has black sooty spark plugs. When I test the carb mixture setting expecting it to be running rich, , it seems to be actually running lean. (when i push up the button under the carb, the engine revs die rather than raising revs). The engine does have a bit of bearing noise when under load, but nothing drastic. I am not sure how best to proceed with the fuel mixture settings or what could be wrong with the engine. Any thoughts much appreciated.

needs leaning out

Hi, sorry, what does that mean? Thanks

It is too rich. Check that the choke control is fully in and wind the mixture nut up a flat at a time until the engine ticks over smoothly

Hi. Do you think it is running too rich even after doing this test:

When i push up the button under the carb, the engine revs die rather than raises, which normally is a sign of running lean?

This is my confusion. Thanks

You must only lift that pin about 1/8" - no more. It always dies if you lift it right up. If the plugs are 'oily' - then the problem is likely to be oil burning, rather than 'rich'. But turn the nut up - as directed above, and see if it gets any better.