Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi All,
Just woken Morris up from 4 weeks sleep. Have changed all the fluids and greased up ready for action. Been out for a 25mile run around. Notice there seems to be quite a lot of water that drips from the exhaust. There is no mayo under the oil filler cap and I see no signs of seepage around the head so is this normal? Just thought after a good run it would have cleared any moisture lying around. She appears to be running well but as you will know by now I am no expert on mechanics.

Sounds normal to me, probably just condensation. It might be running a little rich if it's black/sooty water?

Bit odd after a 25 mile run - keep an eye on the water level...

You are right I think may be running a bit rich as quite sooty water on start up but exhaust looks normal once warmed up. I will adjust the mixture and go for a run in a day or so when I get a spare hour. I did also have to top up the rad a little which I thought a little strange as always keep it full. Many thanks

Just to add - have been for a short run, adjusted and now no black soot but still water from exhaust. With water in rad just below neck took cap off and brought up to running temp, there was no stream of bubbles so guess that is a good sign but water rose above overflow. Also noted when out that no warm air coming from heater so maybe there is a blockage. Have replaced heater valve not long ago and flushed through last autumn along with flushing radiator and checking all hoses. Not sure if any of this is connected? I am sure someone will soon tell me if I am crazy but prefer to rectify at first sign of a problem rather than pretending it will go away, they never do!

sounds like you have air in the system turn on the heater valve or tap and run the engine keep the car stationary and take the rad cap off this should allow the air to escape . give the engine enough time to warm up and open the thermostat .

Thank you I will give that a try tomorrow. Heater has always worked well up until now.

Hmmm - heater not working is first sign of air in the system.

rjt1951 wrote: I did also have to top up the rad a little which I thought a little strange as always keep it full. Many thanks

The rad should not be completely filled, the excess will escape through the overflow pipe

Took for a run to warm up, final adjustment on carb so running evenly. Took rad cap off and heater return hose off copper pipe. When engine revved a little water pumped through, would not say it was a gush so maybe heater is still clogged with muck? Have put back and topped up and will run again to see if any improvement.

Or the valve is not fully open - or there is a kink in pipes.

Well went for a run and not much joy with heater. Valve is working and quite new last year. The in pipe was hot but the return pipe still cold so guess the problem is in the heater it's self. A fun job for a future date. In the mean time should I close off the heater valve or leave open as I have always done?
Thanks for all your advise to date.

Always open - never close it.

Although it may not be the problem , just remember how many new / newish cars do you see on the road in front of you going up a hill with water running out of the exhaust pipe!, Also, for every one gallon of petrol you "burn" you "boil" one gallon of water which a lot of it condenses inside the exhaust before it reaches the outside air.

Thanks for you thoughts. Might fit a tea pot on the exhaust and have a brew ready at the end of my journey

Water at start up maybe - but not after 25 mile run.......

Plan to drive tomorrow again so will check on the water from tail pipe and then look at heater matrix soon as I have more time. Adjusted carb and now running leaner and better so no sooty black with the water.