Starting problem

[Callum97]

Looking for advice from some of you wise folks to counter balance my newbie ignorance

Had my 68 2dr for about 2 months now and had noticed that it had been running a little rich. Due to working such long hours recently, I hadn't gotten round to adjusting the carb to check if this was the problem. The exhaust was very smokey when i used it the other day, though ran fine and got me to work and back. When I tried to use the car later on it failed to start. Since, I have changed the plugs just to ensure that they weren't completely caked. I hadn't noticed until after the car refused to start that the choke is stuck slightly on - I will be fixing this when I get home. The engine turns, though struggles to fire then proceeds to scream a loud whine, almost a 'moo' Possible carb problem? Any ideas before i have the carb rebuilt?

Thanks in advance, Callum

[panky]

Have you checked that the HT leads are on in the right order 1,3,4,2. Could the 'moo' be the starter disengaging but still spinning?

[bmcecosse]

Yes - I think the noise is just the starter spinning out..... And as above - check you put the leads back on right order when you changed the plugs..... What plugs did you fit ???? And it's 1342 Anticlockwise round the dizzy cap..

[Callum97]

Almost certain I put them back on in the right order - they hadn't been touched between the last run and not starting. Would the starter motor need replacing or is there a fix?

[Callum97]

Fitted NGK as were previously fitted

[MarkyB]

Not everyones favourite
Which way did you adjust the carb?
It sounds as if the choke is sticking on, you need to fix this before you adjust the mixture.
Push it in on the dashboard then see if it will still move off at the carb end.
A bit of lubrication will probably be enough to sort it.

[bmcecosse]

Try a different make of plug..... Folks on here already know the story where I spent ages trying to start a mates's MGB - until he admitted he had just fitted NGK plugs..... I stuck in an old set of Champions from my tool bag - and it fired up right away..... We actually refitted the NGKs - and again it wouldn't start... They are somewhere in the field at the bottom of his garden......

[Callum97]

Never did get round to responding to this. Didn't have access to plugs at the time (working 7 days a week until after 5pm), so spent my spare time tinkering with the carb. After a couple of hours it decided to play ball Just a week later, the wipers, indicators, fuel gauge and i think lights stopped working. Thankfully, fuses solved this

[bmcecosse]

Hmm -'lights' are not fused on earlier cars - later cars have an additional in-line fuse for the side-light circuit.