Engine cutting out

[Tapitha]

Recently my 1098cc engine has behaved strangely. It starts and runs normally and then while driving along the engine suddenly slows down and stops. When I pull the choke out slightly it will restart straight away. The engine stopped twice two days ago and three times this morning going to a supermarket.
I don't want this to happen on a busy A14 going to Kelmarsh next weekend!
Is my mixture too weak? Engine idle speed seems quite high but if I reduce it the engine stops.
Please help so I can drive confidently to Kelmarsh Hall.
Mike

[bmcecosse]

As always with these mysterious incidents - you need to determine if it is an Ignition - or a Fuel issue. Check the carb first - is the piston free to rise and fall - and is there a splash of oil in the damper chamber? Are you aware of the fuel pump 'clicking furiously' when the stops? Does it stop 'suddenly' as if switching off the Ignition - or does it sputter to a halt?

[Tapitha]

Thanks bmcecosse for the ideas. The engine just stops and there is no ticking from the fuel pump. Carb seems OK. Restarts with no problem.
Mike

[bmcecosse]

I would be looking for a loose connection at the coil or dizzy. If you don't pull the choke out - does it refuse to restart ?

[Tapitha]

I have an electronic ignition system. I went out in Tapitha this morning, started first go and no problem getting to destination. However when I got in to come home the engine refused to start! after trying for a while I phoned the AA. The Patrol man was familiar with Minors as he helped his dad to restore one. He carried out a few checks and he concluded that the fault lay with the electronic ignition set up. The car eventually started and the AA van escorted me home. He recommended that I should get it, if possible, to a garage tomorrow to have the electronic system checked with their equipment. I know nothing about electronics only about distributors and points!
Thanks for help,
Mike and Tapitha.

[dalebrignall]

get an accuspark system and get your garage to fit it , ive not had a problem with that system

[Tapitha]

My electronic ignition system is a Lumenition Mk 12 which presumably dates back to the year of complete restoration, 2004.
Mike

[alexmcguffie]

Lumenition is generally very reliable and is a true electronic ignition system giving a spark boost unlike the Acuspark types which are effectively points replacement systems. Try to get the Lumenition working if you can.

[bmcecosse]

To me it's unlikely that an electronic ignition would fail...and then come back to life! I can only see that happening if there is a loose connection. It's unlikely that an electronic component will 'heal up'... Check and clean all the connections....and perhaps consider a new rotor arm.

[alexmcguffie]

Lumenition coils do have an internal thermal fuse which will trip when it gets too hot then reset once it cools down. You may not have a Lumenition coil fitted but if you do, run it for a bit and see if its getting excessively hot - careful though!

[bmcecosse]

Oh! Not heard of that before.

[moggiethouable]

I wonder, is it fitted with a recent S.U. fuel pump?
The symptoms are the same as when I fitted a new electro-mechanical fuel pump.
It turned out there was a fault, returned and replaced everything now is fine.

[Tapitha]

Took Tapitha to my reliable service garage on Monday. The manager himself has worked on the car and found a number of things wrong that added up to intermittent running. No. 2 spark plug (the one I couldn't unscrew and change) was not working, so I was only on 3 cylinders although running. The mixture was too weak, the choke wasn't working properly and timing was out. Also the inside of the distributor was filthy. When I visited to see how work was progressing this morning the car was out on a road test. When it came back everything sounded excellent. He has some other adjustments to make and I can pick Tapitha up this afternoon.
With luck Tapitha and I will be able to really enjoy The National Rally this weekend.
Thanks for help and advice,
Mike and Tapitha (TAP824G)

[bmcecosse]

Well done that garage... I don't remember you telling us it was only running on 3 !!

[Tapitha]

I didn't know it was running on 3 cylinders!! The engine started and ran OK. I just thought the car was lacking power and rather sluggish!
Although the garage has restored the engine to full power and I can again do over 60mp there is "jerky" forward motion.
Hope we make it to Kelmarsh tomorrow!
Cheers,
Mike

[dalebrignall]

i wonder if its pinking im sure bmc will be along shortley

[Tapitha]

Set off to Kelmarsh at 5.30 am in Tapitha. After 4 miles the engine stopped and wouldn't restart. Starter notor made noises but wouldn't turn engine over. Another call to the AA and by 7.15 I was back home with Tapitha on a car transporter. Quick transfer of Tapitha's load and off to Kelmarsh at 7.30am in my Ford Focus.
Had a good day at the rally being amazed by the number of Minors in lovely condition. Had advice from experts about my ignition problems. Bought a used distributer and a starter motor as well as other bits and pieces that might be useful.
I will try points ignition and see if engine will then run properly so I know whether or not it is the electronic ignition at fault.
Cheers,
Mike

[bmcecosse]

Sounds like a flat battery... Sorry your day was spoiled - but well done the AA for reacting so quickly! Spare coil/dizzy/fuel pump and dynamo or alternator are WELL worth carrying. They MUST be known good parts - ie they have been working on your engine -were lifted off complete and wrapped up well - so you KNOW you can rely on them when you need them.

[alexmcguffie]

As BMC says, always good to keep spares in the garage but I wouldn't carry them in the boot. Wouldn't be a good advert for reliability!

[bmcecosse]

You need to have them with you! Then nothing goes wrong.... Leave them at home and there will be trouble ahead! Sods Law..