BP Ultimate is a higher octane which is harder for the car to burn, especially if your ignition system isn't up to the task..just a thought..

_________________

Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

Wow - that's one great looking Clubby, nice interior, nice dash

having trouble starting her eh........have you got spark at the distributor??? Remove the dizzy cap and tuck it up out of the way. Check that you have spark in the dizzy by looking at the points when someone else turns the ignition key. If you don't have 'someone else', just short out the points on the solenoid but check first that it's not in gear (good way to run yourself over - lol). Much easier to see in the dark but possible in the daylight. From your posts, you haven't yet put in a new set of points so try that too. Good luck and if all else fails, wait for Sunday when the RACQ can get to you.

Hooroo

_________________
Rod
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/Rodney/

A quick update - still a few problems that I'd love some more help with.

The RACQ just left the mini, more puzzled than ever! There is healthy spark at the plugs and petrol is getting through to the carby (via fuel filter and petrol converter thing), it just appears that no fuel in in the bowl? (That's what the RACQ guy said).

He sprayed the carby with "Sure Start" which he thought would work a trick, but still didn't fire.

All fuses seem to be ok, no others behind the dash, only the 2 in the engine bay.

So I guess now, maybe the problem is the extra Ultimate petrol which may be too high an octane to burn, but then the "Sure Start" should have gotten her running you'd think?

Doesn anyone have any more advice about the dashpot in the carby? It looks like it has a mixture of oil in it? What sort of consistancy should it look like? Would spraying the carby cleaner stuff have done more harm than good?

Will have to think of a new name as Jaffa has been taken

Thanks in advance for the help!
Cheers, David.

I would use flashlube rather than one of those petrol coverty things (although I think you can get an incar flashlude system but I just add some each time I fill up)

Fuel not getting into the carbie (ie no fuel in in the bowl) is generally as I understand it caused by incorrect float settings or stuffed vale and seat. The float trys to maintain a level of fuel in the carby which is then used from there... The valve is worked by the float if it stuck closed not fuel will be let in, no go....



What's Sure Start? If the problem is that there is no fuel getting into the bowl then I don't see how this will help.

To see if that is your only problem you can get a spray bottle with petrol in it and as a friend tries to start the car spray petrol down the throat of the carby (with the air cleaner off) this sort of does the job of the carburettor so you can get it started... if it does start then that's good but you will have to work out why the fuel is not getting into the bowl



Here is a link explaining more about SU carburettors hope it helps
http://www.zparts.com/zptech/articles/mal_land/ml_sucarb2/images4/SUcarb_111601b.htm

To tell the truth I can't remeber how much oil should be in there, I should know but can't remember. As the link says it is to stop the piston inside rising too quickly when you open the throttle. I don't think this is your problem and it probably doesn't matter so much until you get the car going properly. As far as what oil to use there was a fair amount of debate on this but I think ordinary engine oil is OK but may not be the best.

Hope this helps

_________________
---
Roads need more corners
A Deluxe(CG13DE), 2 Clubbies(998 and 1275) and 2 Morris 1100Ss

Thanks again Fuzzy-hair-man,

The sure start is a spray bottle that he sprayed into the carby while I turned the ignition, I was guessing ti was some sort of fuel stuff? Either way, it still didn't fire.

I just got a call from RACQ and no body at the depot knows what's wrong with her, so they're coming to tow her away in a few minutes time to prod and poke and see if they can solve the problem.

I have printed off a copy of the carby information so hopefully that may be of some use.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply, this is one of the most helpful sites that I have ever come across.

Will keep everyone informed of the process.
Cheers,
David

She's back!! The mini with no name was picked up by one overjoyed owner yesterday afternoon and successfully driven without any dramas for a few good hours without any major dramas.

It turned out to be something wrong with the fuel pump the receptionist at told me, I failed to mentioned that they had put a new one in there 2 weeks ago and I probably shouldn't be paying them anything.. but was too overjoyed by her return to care.

She has a slight dead spot coming out of second around corners and breaking is a little to be desired but I'll address these problems in the not too distant future.

There is just something about driving a mini that makes you smile and be happy! Thank you to everyone for all of your help and advice over the last harrowing week!

Cheers,
David

You got that right David. Glad you're back in action
The breakdowns just make the driving seem that much more enjoyable


Mike

_________________
Too many cars, and too little time.

MiniMad: Extra octane makes the fuel more combustable.

Higher Octane is ALWAYS better, even for older car's.

However, SERIOUSLY avoid Optimax. Optimax has a larger molecule size, which is quite common to get caught and clog up jets in carbies.

It's happened to pretty much every 250cc motorcycle rider I know. They all accidently fill with OptiCraps, and boom, bike refuses to run right over 4000rpm.


So, in conclusion.
Higher octane - GOOD!
Optimax - BAD!

_________________
77 Leyland Mini. Gulf Racing Colours!

larger molecular size? i dont see how that could be possible, the molecular structure or octane will be the same regardless of what happens. however alot of people i have spoken to dislike optimax, this is because most brands 'distill' the petrol further to get it to 98RON, as i understand it shell just throw a heap of additives in to their 95RON. it isnt the same optimax that the V8 supercars run on - they get a special blend.

Optimax is great for injected vehicles, it just clogs up the jets on carbies


Perhaps that's how i shoulda phrased it.

_________________
77 Leyland Mini. Gulf Racing Colours!

well i will take ur word on that, i have an efi car but live in TAS so dont have acess to any 98RON fuel.

but alas i believe we may be going off topic a bit?

That was very interesting, I didn't realise that.. I have been running my ZZR250 on Optimax for the past 18 months, no problems as yet though. Revs right up through to redline.

We just got the new BP Ultimate out here, I might just switch over to that, but at $1.24 a litre it is pretty rough shelling out that amount (not so much the mini or the bike, but my soarer and ute chew through the fuel like nothing else).


Definately off topic now! But that phrase is true, you learn something new everyday.

Erm...The higher the octane, the harder it is to burn the fuel. The lower the octane, the easier it is for the fuel to burn. The reason higher performance engines need higher octanes is so that the gas/air compressed mixture does not ignite before the spark comes, which is known as pinging. By using a higher octane, these engines DESIGNED FOR HIGHER OCTANE can get more engery from the gas. If a lower octane was used, the mixture would ignite from the compression, heat, or whatever else that is not the spark and slowly destroy the engine.

If you put any higher octane in there, you are requiring the ignition system burn a mixture which is more resistant to burning THAN IT WAS DESIGNED FOR. That is why they say that you will not get any extra performance by using higher octane in engines which do not require it.

_________________

Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

MiniMad: well, you learn something new every day.


However, i do stand by my belief about optimax. it sucks for small bike carbies.

_________________
77 Leyland Mini. Gulf Racing Colours!

You are correct on Optimax, the cleaning agents in it are designed for injector's and don't go down too well with carburettor's.

_________________

Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484