Morris Minor Owners Club

Currently my Morris Minor is only firing on three cylinders - Plug no. 2 is not firing and if you disconnect the plug lead it has no effect.
Have changed the plug lead, the distributor head and rotor arm without effect.
Any solutions please.
Rory.

Presumably you are meaning not sparking?

Check that the points gap is correct - the same for all four cylinders. The cam may be worn or the bearings loose.

Guessing that it is not the plug that is defective? Tried it on another cylinder?

If not the spark , you have a mechanical fault.

Rory,

3 steps to take:

1. Swap the No.2 plug with any of the others - is No.2 still not firing? If the misfire swaps cylinders, replace the plug.

If not:

2. You say that you have changed the lead, but as a double check, swap the No.2 plug lead with any of the others that will fit - is No.2 still not firing? If the misfire swaps cylinders, replace ALL the plug leads.

If not:

Do a compression check - is No. 2 lower than the others? If so head off and check all the valves very carefully and/or the head gasket.

If not - gets harder!

Where are you based? If anywhere near Oxford, pop in and we can look at it together.

Dear IslipMinor,
You got it in one! A faulty plug ( despite being from a reputable European manufacturer ) - I replaced it and all is well. This is the first time I have encountered this fault in over 60 years of motoring. You never stop learning!
Many thanks,
Rory.

Nice easy fix then! We like those!