Need help with my Mini (1971)

[goswald]

I need help with my Mini. I have not driven it for about 2 months. The last time I drove it it took a while to start, maybe 4 or 5 attempts at turning the key.

Now when I try start it, it just doesn't want to turn over. It feels like it gets close, but just won't take. I have checked the battery and fuel, both seem fine. I have tried push starting it and jump starting it as well.

Any other suggestions as to what it might be or how to solve it.

Thanks.

(My knowledge of cars is quite limited)

 

[d0b33]

could be anything, coil... distributor usually first things I'll look at

 

[rsifan]

Could be dirty spark plugs

 

[Species8472]

Does it have petrol?

 

[rrh]

Fuel pump not pushing through petrol / points gap too small ...

 

[Colin62]

If it was running fine last time you used it, it's most likely a fuel supply issue. The pertol in the carburettor and fuel lines may hav evaporated, and it can take a long time with a lot of cranking for it to get sucked through the pipes from the tank.

A quick check would be to take the air filter off and pour a coke bottle cap full of petrol down the throat of the carb. Try to start it - if it starts and dies again, then it's fuel supply.

 

[goswald]

Thanks. Will have a look at the suggestions.

 

[Hobbs zn]

If it was running fine last time you used it, it's most likely a fuel supply issue. The pertol in the carburettor and fuel lines may hav evaporated, and it can take a long time with a lot of cranking for it to get sucked through the pipes from the tank.

A quick check would be to take the air filter off and pour a coke bottle cap full of petrol down the throat of the carb. Try to start it - if it starts and dies again, then it's fuel supply.

+1 always good way to test

 

[midnightcaller]

What colin62 and Hobbs said

 

[Fazda]

Does it have petrol?

Good question - I let my Austin Apache stand for 4 months whilst I tried everything in the book trying to start it, until someone asked me if it had petrol - a 5 litre can later she was as sweet as could be!!

 

[goswald]

could be anything, coil... distributor usually first things I'll look at

Thanks guys, turns out it was the distributor.

 

[d0b33]

Thanks guys, turns out it was the distributor.

Yes! what I win?!

 

[Colin62]

Damn, I can't even win a thread without a prize...

Glad you got it going again