Mini problem

Hi, Can anyone help,

I have recently brought my 1981 mini back onto the road, but since then she has started to run on after the ignition is switched off. The carb has been cleaned out and refitted so that part should be ok. She did have the standard distributor but in an attempt to solve the running on issue I changed this to a metro unit with electronic ignition. but the problem is still there. Can it still be the timing thats out?

Any help will be much appreciated

Thanks, Tom

Too hot a grade of spark plug?. If you're happy that the timing is right, and are using the right plugs, I'd suspect carbon build-up in the combustion chambers.

the metro dizzy has a different advance curve to the mini ones, so will never run correctly. The petrol can also have a lot to do with it as different brands have different octanes, never buy the cheap petrol it does not work properly.
Bill

Cheap petrol?

Not a saving really

I used to work out of Ipswich, had a BMW 2.5 at the time, started to fill up at Sainbury's as it seemed cheaper.

I lost a weeks running as I used to fill up twice every three weeks at a local shell station, Sainsbury's I had to fill up each week.

correct mon ami my wife used a tenner a week from our local or fifteen a week from tesco or sainsbury;s for the same mileage.
tom try some 4 star yes the real leaded one from brooksend

Thanks for all the help here,

aah yes, I usually put bp in all my cars, I have only filled up the mini once and I think it was the super bp stuff, It could well be that I am not running on 4 star.

The timing was quite far out when I put the metro set in, so not having the data as there isnt any really, I had the car running and adjusted it till it ran smoothly, so that could be the problem still.

Tom
The data is no problem but I assure you the dizzies are different, even on the mini over the years they changed it fro different models, I do have a link on my other laptop for lucas distributors from the sprite and midget club, maybe a google search for you, if not let me know and will dig it out, easier way is tune it up properly.


Remember this quote ?


"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair



Bill

I wouldn't dismiss all supermarket petrol out of hand. I was using Sainsbury's premium grade in the P6, which is supposed to be 97 octane. The reason being it is one of the few that I know to be ethanol free. Even with an octane booster the car would still pink under load. On the advice of a fellow P6 owner I tried Tesco's Momentum 99 and cannot now make it pink however hard I try.

It makes no difference what I put in the P4, which was designed to run on pool petrol, so I generally use the cheap supermarket stuff.

As to consumption, I don't trust the fuel gauges on either car so always zero the trip and brim the tank. I have not noticed any significant difference whatever I've used.

mgbill wrote:

Tom
The data is no problem but I assure you the dizzies are different, even on the mini over the years they changed it fro different models, I do have a link on my other laptop for lucas distributors from the sprite and midget club, maybe a google search for you, if not let me know and will dig it out, easier way is tune it up properly.


Remember this quote ?


"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair



Bill

Yep I think your right Bill, Will book her into a garage for a tune up!

I know a good one in Manston even though he specialises in MG's, used to be in Birchington.
Bill

mgbill wrote:

I know a good one in Manston even though he specialises in MG's, used to be in Birchington.
Bill

Really? All I heard was there were pirates and conmen at that garage!

lol! oooh! Manston? aah yes I have spotted your car out there

maybe you heard correct lee be careful next time you come out there you will walk the plank at least

mgbill wrote:

maybe you heard correct lee be careful next time you come out there you will walk the plank at least

You are more likely to hit me with it Bill!

got a lovely shotgun and of course on the farm can use it freely

My friends Morris Minor was 'running on' after the ignition was switched off recently, so I played with the timing and retarded it about 6 degrees and now it is fine. On classic cars I have almost abandoned using a timing light and have resorted to using the old age method of setting it by ear till it peaks at the highest revs as the petrol issued today, particularly at supermarkets, seems to vary so much in octane consistency.
Of course it's not just tweaking the dizzy back and forth, it also involves getting the idle level to an acceptable tick over as close to the specified manufacturers suggested readings.
Best of luck with sorting the problem mate.