Morris Minor Owners Club

My moggy has been sat ages (6months since started last) and isn’t happy.
Fuel pump is ticking away madly, fuel gauge says half full, took hose off and firing fuel out ok. But never stops ticking quickly?

Not even trying to fire just spinning away happily.
Spark plugs recent and all clean, fired some WD40 about in case.

Any good old boy tips?
Need to shift her to get some slates dropped off and don’t fancy pushing her alone but if it comes to it… lol

Check there is a spark by taking off a spark plug lead and resting it near the block. Be very careful there is no stray petrol around when doing this!

If there is spark and you know the fuel pump is pumping fuel but it doesn't stop, it's possible the float needle valve is stuck and that the engine has become flooded with fuel. Usually a stuck float needle valve would result in fuel coming out of float chamber overflow. If you suspect this, remove the float chamber lid, remove the hinge pin holding in the float, take out the needle valve and clean it and its seat. It is advisable to have a spare float chamber gasket at hand in case the old one tears.

Check the choke is operating correctly.

If the engine is flooded with fuel, disconnect the fuel pump live electrical connection and spin the engine over. This should help the engine to spit out the excess fuel.

Unfortunately, petrol tends to go off rather fast these days so that is a possibility too.

Stephen

Thanks for the detailed reply I will give those tips a go.

It fired up very briefly after I left it for a while (2 hours or so) 5 seconds or so revving its nuts off then died.
The choke is ropey but luckily I bought a new one at the summer car show so will get that fitted.
I can see it popping out its plastic sheath and sticking.

My dad was a classic car buff and was finally moving back home so we could have a play when he was hit with a rare aggressive illness and passed away aged 60 so I’m going it alone now.
I helped him with computers and he helped me (LOTS) with cars.

Just finished my level 1&2 welding which will be VERY handy for this tatty rascal

Just need a good welder now as my migmate is very past its sell by date lol.

Hopefully getting a garage soon ish too as doing all this whilst getting soaked haha.

Thanks again and I’ll give these tips a go and have a look at the pump, carbs . Coil etc as all look older than me.

You're welcome.

That explains a bit more about what condition the car is in and that it has been standing outside. Things like the coil are very unlikely to fail just with the car standing but what can happen is that electrical connections can corrode. They are easily cleaned up by disconnecting one wire at a time and cleaning up the contact with emery paper and switch cleaner. Sometimes water can get into the distributor so removing the cap and checking is worthwhile, also the condition of the rotor.

Anyway, the car did start if only briefly so it does sound more fuel related than ignition.

These cars just will not start from stone cold without enough choke. My car needs the choke pulled out to the full extent and it will then start almost instantly. Within a few seconds the engine starts to sound rough and it needs it needs the choke pushed most of the way back in. After maybe 1/4 mile the choke can go all the way back in (depends on the ambient temperature). You should check that when the choke knob is pulled out at the dashboard that it does move the carburettor jet down. Remember that the choke cable locks so the knob should be twisted anticlockwise to unlock the cable to pull the choke out and clockwise to lock the cable in the out position. Forcing the cable when locked will break it though often the mechanism is worn out and does not lock anymore anyway (people use a clothes peg or similar to hold the choke out).

I am a bit of a loss as to why your engine was revving so high when it started. Is the throttle pedal stuck? Check near the carburettor that the big throttle return spring is still connected (the spring connects to a bracket that is attached to the clamp between exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe). With your hand push the throttle pedal down and move it back up. Check it comes back up when pushed and let go.

With these problems it is best to go back to basic principles of: spark and fuel but it is also worth considering air (oxygen) because very occasionally air filters are found to be soaking wet or blocked in some way.

Stephen

Re. Welders. I can highly recommend the Clarke 135te. These need to be connected to bigger gas tanks than the silly disposable things but mine is excellent. Owned and used it for 7 years now.