Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello,

My Minor did not want to start today. It did start in the end, with throttle, but took several goes.

A video will demonstrate best:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8t7pZ ... sp=sharing

Any help would be much appreciated!

Did you pull the choke ?

I tried it with and without choke. It normally starts fine without.

Am I watching the wrong video? The one I just saw shows the ignition light on, someone trying with and without choke, and then the engine starting. That seems at odds with the title of the thread.

If you're concerned that it normally starts first turn of the key, and this time it took several attempts, then a few questions:
Has anything been done to it since it last started normally?
Have any parts been replaced?
When did it last start at the first attempt?
When was it last serviced (what period of time ago, and how many miles ago)?
Does it normally need the choke to start, or does it normally start without?
Once started, does it run and pull normally?
What engine is it?
When did you last fill up with petrol?

My initial thoughts are that the timing may be just a little out, and possibly a clogged air filter is giving a rich mixture, but really need some more information. Could easily be a condenser, rotar arm, or just condensation inside the cap. More information and an accurate description of the problem will assist in diagnosis.

I see that the key fob says Charles Ware - did you purchase from them, how long ago, do you get them to service it?

From a cold start you should need the 'choke' - less in summer than winter, but still necessary. If it starts without - then either it's running far too rich -or the float bowl is flooding over... Does the pump tick 3 or 4 times then stop - or does it keep on ticking?

It fired on the first try, maybe only on one cylinder, enough to throw the starter bendix out anyway.
Maybe a sign that it's time for a service.

Use the choke..... Fuel pump news ??

It happened again today - took a few goes before the engine was running. The fuel pump ticks as it should.

Is the starter motor struggling to engage? When the engine does end up turning - it needs some throttle, otherwise it peters out.

Any ideas?

Oh.. and it was MoT'd and serviced last week!

'Serviced' by whom? You NEED to use the choke - and the throttle stop on that should be set to give you a 'fast idle' when it's pulled part way out. Sounds like someone has been messing with the carb settings. Don't touch the accelerator when starting just switch on, listen to the fuel pump give 3 or 4 ticks then stop, pull the choke out and crank the engine. Simples!

If it was serviced last week and the problem has developed after the service then take it back to the workshop and tell them to fix it! The car should start straight away and the workshop has obviously got something wrong.