ausmini :: View topic - Car died

I know you checked under the rocker cover, but it does sound a bit cam/valve train-y/cylinders not filling right to me...

Does each valve full open?
Does the cam timing match up with where it should be when 1 is at TDC?
Can you confirm a valve head hasn't snapped off the stem?
Head gasket leaking between cylinders?

Just off the top of my head. I'll have a think.

Edit: busted spark plug or not seated properly?
Edit: maybe dizzy has moved in some form...double check ignition timing

(My hope would be leak between cylinders via head gasket)

Whistling noise? Manifold gasket? Thermostat going off/Radiator holed?

If it were a head gasket between cylinders you'd think it'd have inconsistent cranking unless it's between 2 and 3, compression test?

My guess Black box has died. Dizzy is fixed not advancing when required. Try fitting a standard dizzy

I always have one set up and ready to go. Been let down twice by faulty electric modules in dizzys.

hey Tim

my leccy ignition dies a few years back after a few weeks of bad performance and cutting out - random starts or no go at all then no go full stop

it was the ignition module in the dizzy that was at fault

I’d try a new distributor cap. I had the same thing happen out of the blue. It had a very fine crack which was hard to see.

I would start with basics before you get into the detail..

Get a multimeter and check for voltage drop. You say you got battery..
Check battery leads are connect properly to battery..grounds, starter, coil, wires from coil to dizzy, ht leads connected properly to dizzy cap and check wiring to starter solenoid.. make sure getting 12 volts.. to power up the car..

Good luck

I had the same problem a month ago.It was the head gasket,blown between 3 and 4 cylinder.

I replaced gasket and all good now.

Broken valve spring perhaps?

Pull the plugs and do a compression test. Use yer thumb if no test gauge. It will be obvious if head gasket is blown.
Smallbores blow between 1-2 or 3-4. Usually...

Thanks everyone for the ideas

Morbo28 wrote:

From what I could see all valves are opening - *I haven't checked to see if they are all fully opening the same yet
*Will check cam timing for #1 and confirm ignition timing lines up too
All the valves still had some kind of rocker arm clearance and valve stems all looked attached. Also no catastrophic noises like valve on piston - *I will check this too
I did swap the plugs and this didn't help. I nipped them up as tight as I normally do - but it was the same before and after
*Yes will double check ignition timing. I also have a dial back timing light, so I wonder if I can check all 4 cylinders are firing at the correct mark?

9YaTaH wrote:

Whistling noise? Manifold gasket? Thermostat going off/Radiator holed?

I did replace the manifold gasket a couple of weeks ago so it's new - *I can check to see if it's fully tightened and not leaking
Thermostat was also replaced with a higher temp one (88 deg) at the same time, the temp was fine and it reads from just under the thermostat
The radiator is still full, and coolant is green so no oil in there.

fuzzy-hair-man wrote:

If it were a head gasket between cylinders you'd think it'd have inconsistent cranking unless it's between 2 and 3, compression test?

*A compression test is a good idea. I actually did a comp test 2 weeks ago and I was getting around 180-190 across all 4

kiwiinwgtn wrote:

Last time I had a blackbox failure (on my second unit now) the light didn't come on and bypassing it made the car start straight away. *I will connect to it with the laptop and check the timing map is still the same. If that doesn't help I will bypass the blackbox and then will test the module

SteveOB wrote:

Thanks Steve. I don't have a spare distributor, but do have a new set of points. I can try them if I can figure out the wiring

The strange thing is that is was running and driving fine until this happened

Author:	timmy201 [ Fri Sep 04, 2020 5:45 pm ]
Post subject:	Car died - ideas please!
Hi All, I'm after some ideas on what to check/inspect on my car as it started making a strange noise on the way home the other day. I stopped to have a look at what it could be and it wouldn't start up again. What happened: Driving home it was running really well for about 10 minutes It started making a whistling/fluffing/missing noise when under load - this seemed to me to be one cylinder only and back through the carb. I drove for maybe 1km and it started happening at lower RPM Idling was OK Pulled over to check everything and didn't see anything obvious. It started back up but still missing, I drove to the other side of the carpark to have another look and it wouldn't start up again. What I checked: Changed spark plugs - no improvement Checked fuel pump was pumping - OK Checked for spark at all 4 plugs - OK Had the rocker cover off - oil is clean, rockers all seemed to be pushing down the valves Coolant is green Blackbox unit light still on, and I tried to bypass it and no change Roadside assistance man (used to work on minis) checked it over, swept the dissy and checked the rotor/cap/spark from the coil. He thought the spark from the coil was inconsistent when cranking over Battery started to get a bit flat after an hour or so of trying different things What it's doing now: I charged the battery yesterday so it's 100% If I spin it over on the starter motor with the ignition off (on the floor starter button) it spins over nice and consistent speed, and has decent oil pressure If I turn on the ignition it'll spin over once or twice and then stop - to me it seems like the timing is way out but I haven't changed anything. My only other thought is a blown head gasket between 2 cylinders? I'm after any and all ideas so I can try and knock them all out next time I get a chance to work on the car Engine: 1098 - high compression & RE266 cam Original 25D with advance locked and electronic ignition + blackbox for timing + AOEW ignition coil Dellorto DHLA

Author:	Morbo28 [ Fri Sep 04, 2020 5:54 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Car died - ideas please!
I know you checked under the rocker cover, but it does sound a bit cam/valve train-y/cylinders not filling right to me... Does each valve full open? Does the cam timing match up with where it should be when 1 is at TDC? Can you confirm a valve head hasn't snapped off the stem? Head gasket leaking between cylinders? Just off the top of my head. I'll have a think. Edit: busted spark plug or not seated properly? Edit: maybe dizzy has moved in some form...double check ignition timing (My hope would be leak between cylinders via head gasket) Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Author:	9YaTaH [ Fri Sep 04, 2020 5:57 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Car died - ideas please!
Whistling noise? Manifold gasket? Thermostat going off/Radiator holed?

Author:	fuzzy-hair-man [ Fri Sep 04, 2020 6:06 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Car died - ideas please!
If it were a head gasket between cylinders you'd think it'd have inconsistent cranking unless it's between 2 and 3, compression test?

Author:	kiwiinwgtn [ Fri Sep 04, 2020 6:09 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Car died - ideas please!
My guess Black box has died. Dizzy is fixed not advancing when required. Try fitting a standard dizzy I always have one set up and ready to go. Been let down twice by faulty electric modules in dizzys. Sent from my SM-J530Y using Tapatalk

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Car died - ideas please! https://ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=100353	Page 1 of 3

Author:	SteveOB [ Fri Sep 04, 2020 7:11 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Car died - ideas please!
hey Tim my leccy ignition dies a few years back after a few weeks of bad performance and cutting out - random starts or no go at all then no go full stop it was the ignition module in the dizzy that was at fault

Author:	timmy201 [ Fri Sep 04, 2020 7:34 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Car died - ideas please!
Thanks everyone for the ideas Morbo28 wrote: I know you checked under the rocker cover, but it does sound a bit cam/valve train-y/cylinders not filling right to me... Does each valve full open? Does the cam timing match up with where it should be when 1 is at TDC? Can you confirm a valve head hasn't snapped off the stem? Head gasket leaking between cylinders? Just off the top of my head. I'll have a think. Edit: busted spark plug or not seated properly? Edit: maybe dizzy has moved in some form...double check ignition timing (My hope would be leak between cylinders via head gasket) From what I could see all valves are opening - I haven't checked to see if they are all fully opening the same yet Will check cam timing for #1 and confirm ignition timing lines up too All the valves still had some kind of rocker arm clearance and valve stems all looked attached. Also no catastrophic noises like valve on piston - I will check this too I did swap the plugs and this didn't help. I nipped them up as tight as I normally do - but it was the same before and after Yes will double check ignition timing. I also have a dial back timing light, so I wonder if I can check all 4 cylinders are firing at the correct mark? 9YaTaH wrote: Whistling noise? Manifold gasket? Thermostat going off/Radiator holed? I did replace the manifold gasket a couple of weeks ago so it's new - I can check to see if it's fully tightened and not leaking Thermostat was also replaced with a higher temp one (88 deg) at the same time, the temp was fine and it reads from just under the thermostat The radiator is still full, and coolant is green so no oil in there. fuzzy-hair-man wrote: If it were a head gasket between cylinders you'd think it'd have inconsistent cranking unless it's between 2 and 3, compression test? A compression test is a good idea. I actually did a comp test 2 weeks ago and I was getting around 180-190 across all 4 kiwiinwgtn wrote: My guess Black box has died. Dizzy is fixed not advancing when required. Try fitting a standard dizzy I always have one set up and ready to go. Been let down twice by faulty electric modules in dizzys. Last time I had a blackbox failure (on my second unit now) the light didn't come on and bypassing it made the car start straight away. *I will connect to it with the laptop and check the timing map is still the same. If that doesn't help I will bypass the blackbox and then will test the module SteveOB wrote: hey Tim my leccy ignition dies a few years back after a few weeks of bad performance and cutting out - random starts or no go at all then no go full stop it was the ignition module in the dizzy that was at fault Thanks Steve. I don't have a spare distributor, but do have a new set of points. I can try them if I can figure out the wiring The strange thing is that is was running and driving fine until this happened

Author:	ausdino [ Fri Sep 04, 2020 7:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Car died - ideas please!
I’d try a new distributor cap. I had the same thing happen out of the blue. It had a very fine crack which was hard to see.

Author:	Jtothek38 [ Fri Sep 04, 2020 8:39 pm ]
Post subject:	Car died - ideas please!
I would start with basics before you get into the detail.. Get a multimeter and check for voltage drop. You say you got battery.. Check battery leads are connect properly to battery..grounds, starter, coil, wires from coil to dizzy, ht leads connected properly to dizzy cap and check wiring to starter solenoid.. make sure getting 12 volts.. to power up the car.. Good luck

Author:	1970cooper [ Sat Sep 05, 2020 5:26 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Car died - ideas please!
I had the same problem a month ago.It was the head gasket,blown between 3 and 4 cylinder. I replaced gasket and all good now.

Author:	murty [ Sat Sep 05, 2020 6:48 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Car died - ideas please!
Broken valve spring perhaps?

Author:	drmini in aust [ Sat Sep 05, 2020 2:24 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Car died - ideas please!
Pull the plugs and do a compression test. Use yer thumb if no test gauge. It will be obvious if head gasket is blown. Smallbores blow between 1-2 or 3-4. Usually...

Author:	timmy201 [ Sat Sep 05, 2020 7:26 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Car died - ideas please!
ausdino wrote: I’d try a new distributor cap. I had the same thing happen out of the blue. It had a very fine crack which was hard to see. Thanks, *will check the distributor cap and replace if necessary Jtothek38 wrote: I would start with basics before you get into the detail.. Get a multimeter and check for voltage drop. You say you got battery.. Check battery leads are connect properly to battery..grounds, starter, coil, wires from coil to dizzy, ht leads connected properly to dizzy cap and check wiring to starter solenoid.. make sure getting 12 volts.. to power up the car.. Good luck I've charged up the battery again and sitting as 12.5V at the battery and at the starter. 1970cooper wrote: I had the same problem a month ago.It was the head gasket,blown between 3 and 4 cylinder. I replaced gasket and all good now. Hopefully a compression test will provide a clue to this. While a pain to change the head gasket at least it's a simple fix murty wrote: Broken valve spring perhaps? Thanks, I'll check this too drmini in aust wrote: Pull the plugs and do a compression test. Use yer thumb if no test gauge. It will be obvious if head gasket is blown. Smallbores blow between 1-2 or 3-4. Usually... Luckily I might even have a spare in the garage

Author:	kiwiinwgtn [ Sun Sep 06, 2020 8:34 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Car died - ideas please!
timmy201 wrote: Thanks everyone for the ideas Morbo28 wrote: I know you checked under the rocker cover, but it does sound a bit cam/valve train-y/cylinders not filling right to me... Does each valve full open? Does the cam timing match up with where it should be when 1 is at TDC? Can you confirm a valve head hasn't snapped off the stem? Head gasket leaking between cylinders? Just off the top of my head. I'll have a think. Edit: busted spark plug or not seated properly? Edit: maybe dizzy has moved in some form...double check ignition timing (My hope would be leak between cylinders via head gasket) From what I could see all valves are opening - I haven't checked to see if they are all fully opening the same yet Will check cam timing for #1 and confirm ignition timing lines up too All the valves still had some kind of rocker arm clearance and valve stems all looked attached. Also no catastrophic noises like valve on piston - I will check this too I did swap the plugs and this didn't help. I nipped them up as tight as I normally do - but it was the same before and after Yes will double check ignition timing. I also have a dial back timing light, so I wonder if I can check all 4 cylinders are firing at the correct mark? 9YaTaH wrote: Whistling noise? Manifold gasket? Thermostat going off/Radiator holed? I did replace the manifold gasket a couple of weeks ago so it's new - I can check to see if it's fully tightened and not leaking Thermostat was also replaced with a higher temp one (88 deg) at the same time, the temp was fine and it reads from just under the thermostat The radiator is still full, and coolant is green so no oil in there. fuzzy-hair-man wrote: If it were a head gasket between cylinders you'd think it'd have inconsistent cranking unless it's between 2 and 3, compression test? A compression test is a good idea. I actually did a comp test 2 weeks ago and I was getting around 180-190 across all 4 kiwiinwgtn wrote: My guess Black box has died. Dizzy is fixed not advancing when required. Try fitting a standard dizzy I always have one set up and ready to go. Been let down twice by faulty electric modules in dizzys. Last time I had a blackbox failure (on my second unit now) the light didn't come on and bypassing it made the car start straight away. *I will connect to it with the laptop and check the timing map is still the same. If that doesn't help I will bypass the blackbox and then will test the module SteveOB wrote: hey Tim my leccy ignition dies a few years back after a few weeks of bad performance and cutting out - random starts or no go at all then no go full stop it was the ignition module in the dizzy that was at fault Thanks Steve. I don't have a spare distributor, but do have a new set of points. I can try them if I can figure out the wiring The strange thing is that is was running and driving fine until this happened If you reinstall points. You need to make sure that you unlock the advance plate in the dizzy as this is controlled by the black box. It may still start but run poorly Sent from my SM-J530Y using Tapatalk

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Author:	timmy201 [ Sun Sep 06, 2020 9:27 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Car died - ideas please!
At the moment I’ve got it timed with zero blackbox advance at idle, so with no blackbox it will have 6 degrees or so The blackbox should still work with points too