Morris Minor Convertible a bit smelly.

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Maurice_Minor
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Morris Minor Convertible a bit smelly.

Post by Maurice_Minor »

I haven't owned a Moggie for 50 years & before now, never a convertible. I have owned this 1967 convertible for a week or so & it seems fine. It drives perfectly, but I have noticed when stopped in traffic the exhaust smells a bit rich, the idle is slightly lumpy, but I presume this is normal for a car of this age.
Before I start meddling with the carb, is noticing fumes just a characteristic of having a convertible Moggie, or does the mixture require attention?
The exhaust is clean.
Any ideas welcome.
myoldjalopy
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Re: Morris Minor Convertible a bit smelly.

Post by myoldjalopy »

It is not 'normal' for a car to have a lumpy idle, just because its old. More likely it needs a good tune-up, despite that you say it drives 'perfectly'. Ensure the points and plugs are correctly gapped and that the timing and valve clearances are correct before trying to adjust the carb.
philthehill
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Re: Morris Minor Convertible a bit smelly.

Post by philthehill »

If the plugs are biscuit brown then there cannot be much wrong with the mixture.

Maurice_Minor
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Re: Morris Minor Convertible a bit smelly.

Post by Maurice_Minor »

The plugs are sooty. I have changed them & will adjust the mixture.
Maurice_Minor
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Re: Morris Minor Convertible a bit smelly.

Post by Maurice_Minor »

I was disinclined to dismantle the engine, so instead I consulted my original Morris Minor handbook, written at a time when dad's spent every weekend underneath the bonnet of their cars.
I simply adjusted the mixture screw, turned down the idling & the engine now runs fine. I also changed the spark plugs.
myoldjalopy
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Re: Morris Minor Convertible a bit smelly.

Post by myoldjalopy »

A nice, easy fix, then. We like those 8)
Certainly not required to dismantle the engine to adjust the carb....
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