Went to start the mini today and it fires straight away but dies just as quick.

Any clues?

I recently put in some premium fuel (and Flashlube) and it's been running really well since, although I did notice it 'ran on' after turning off the key a couple of times.
Will the timing need to be adjusted for the different fuel?

Fixed the exhaust leak to and that seems to have made a huge difference.

Just as a complete paranoia check , do you have a lot of keys or weight on your keyring , I'm assuming it's a clubby we're talking about ? One of my previous mini's had a dicky ignition barrel and if there were more than 4 or so key's on the keyring it'd fire but stop as soon as I released the key from the start position . The weight of the key's was pulling the switch back enough to come away from the contact and cut the power . Frustrating as hell because I couldn't find anything wrong with it until I grabbed a spare (single) key one day and it worked first time , then started experimenting and figured it out .....

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Nope, I tried the single key and even tried keeping the key from going back but same thing.

Before I put the Premium fuel in it always required the choke to start but now it fires really quickly without choke

Maybe the the carby is set too rich for Premium. I needed to screw the jet a long way down to get it to run well on the normal unleaded.

waht carb are you running? if its a hif44 then check to see if the little O ring on the choke circuit has not gone brittle with modern fuels and it will suck raw fuel thru the carb flooding the motor.

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www.minicranks.com add me to your watch list and come back again soon, under construction.

The carby is a standard 1 & 1/4 inch SU.

check to see if the pistons is moving freely up and down with your finger.
also would look at elctrical like coil is a big one that makes issues.

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www.minicranks.com add me to your watch list and come back again soon, under construction.

It sounds like the fuel is vapourising and it also sounds like pre ignition after you turn the key off when it keeps running.

Ive had the same problem with Beefa and fuel vapour....I'm not sure how you fix that, maybe put fuel straight into the carby.

Check the timing with the pre ignition, they can pre ignite when they are running hot so maybe check the water as well.

Cheers,

Lynda

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1978 Leyland Mini 998LS All Original *Sally*
2002 Mini Cooper *Coopa*

Tim
does ot stop as soon as you let go of the key, if so check that you have voltage to the coils when ignition is on

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Roundies and Clubbies(except vans) are both ugly that is why I have Midas and a van
1293 Mini Midas Bronze,1275 Clubman van

You said you just fixed an exhaust leak?

Was it at the manifold to head end?

If so you are probably sucking some air still

steve

Steve,

The exhaust leak was at the flange where the pipe joins the manifold.
It was running great for a few days since fixing that.
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Feralsprint,

Yes it stops straight away, how do I check the voltage?
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Beefa,

I will check the timing tomorrow. I haven't driven it far enough to get hot and I've
just put a brand new radiator in it with coolant and doesn't seem to go over a third
on the temp gauge.
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Minicranks,

The carby piston is moving freely but the oil level has dropped since originally filling it.
Can this stuff leak somewhere?
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PS. I did take it for it's longest trip the night before this started happening, about 2km's
It hasn't been on the road for about 6 years. I have replaced all the usual
tune-up/service stuff including coil.
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Put a voltmeter on the coil + (positive supply and not the side going to the points) and ground. Reverse if its still the original positive ground. Then just turn on the ignition key but don't crank the motor over and see if you have at least 10.5 volts on the coil. The ignition switch may have separate contacts for starting and running.

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Over 1,000,000Km, but now my retirement restoration project

ah s oits been sitting for some time. ok then i woukld check the carb to see if its all working ok, make sure there is no crap in the fuel line and the fuel pump is pumping when being turned over.
It still sounds electrical but what colour are the plugs in the car after your 2km run?

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www.minicranks.com add me to your watch list and come back again soon, under construction.

Fuel filter could be cloged and not enought fuel get into the carb..
Another Idea..
good idea to check it anyway if it's been sitting around for 6 years

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

Gafmo,

Doesn't have a fuel filter I should probably fit one
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Minicranks,

It had been sitting around for 6 years prior to me buying in 6 months ago.
Since then I've been fixing it to get RWC and rego so it has been started
most days since I've had it.

I will check the colour of the plugs but I too think it's electrical cause it has
enough spark to fire but the spark seems to disappear
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Circus_Maximus,

I need to buy a voltmeter, I was only looking at one the other day
but was too tight to purchase it. I live out of town and won't be in until
Saturday but I'll pick one up then.
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tried pouring a bit of fuel down the carb to see if it runs longer? That'll pretty much eliminate fuel problems diagnostics wise if it still dies I think.

Shard