Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi,
I have a 1963 Morris Minor with a 1098 engine. It has been laid up for the last 18 months as I have been out of the country. Now i am back in the UK I have tried to start the car, but it doesnt want to run. Just before I left the UK the fuel pump points failed 9to the extent that the usual hit from a spanner didnt work). I have now replaced the points and now I get a few healthy 'ticks' when I turn on the ignition. With a charged battery the engine turns well, but doesnt run.
One thing I have noticed is that when I am turning the engine I would expect the odd click from the fuel pmp, but I get nothing. I am thinking of a fuel problem, but this is not my area of expertise and I am not sure what to try next. Any advice would be gratefully recieved.
Pat

Have you checked the electrics?

Stale petrol?

egg cup full of fresh petrol down the throat of the carb...As bmcaccose would prob advise ??

Indeed - the petrol in the tank is too stale now - although it will be fine once you get the engine started. Check for spark at plugs? And yes - NEW petrol down the carb throat will tell you if it's going to go electrically.

Thank you for all the replies, this was very useful. I have now made progress:

1. i have replaced the petrol with new fuel

2. I have replaced the spark plugs

3. The engine runs if I spray 'cold start' down the air intake - I had some around and it seemed easier than playing with petrol

4. The fuel pump works and pumps fuel - checked by removing the fuel line from the float chamber

But the engine will not start or run without the 'cold start'. I am assuming htat this is therefore an issue between the fuel line and the engine, but I am not sure what to do next. I would be very grateful for any advice.

Many thanks,
Pat

It is indeed seem like a fuel flow problem, although it could just be the old fuel, ...so start off with a flow test on the fuel pump. And does the piston rise and fall easily?

Hi,

Thank you for the reply.

The fuel flows well from the fuel pump - I took off the line that goes from the pump to the float chamber and ran the fuel into a small cup. To start with the line was dry, but fuel folowed after a few clicks of the pump. I removed cup full of fuel to hopefully remove the old fuel from the line.

The piston rises and falls okay when gently pushed up. I am therefore strugelling to know what to do next and what might be blocked. Any ideas?

Many thanks
Pat

Pour some fuel down the carb and crank it - just to prove whether it will run on that fuel -or not.

Problem resolved - the float in the float chamber was stuck with the needle closed - hence the fuel was not getting into the carb. Started first turn of the handle once this was sorted.
Many thank for all the suggestions, Pat

Most unusual - and well done finding it.