Mini running badly - Thoughts/Ideas?
Turbo Mini Forums

Hey chaps, this was briefly covered in my build thread, but I thought I'd make a new thread as I want to get it sorted.

Right, since getting my car running with the old frog's engine, it doesnt run properly.

Issues:

-Hard to start
-Won't idle until quite warm (no choke fitted)
-If you push the throttle quickly, it pops (carb side), and usually stalls.
-Sounds like it's running on 3 cyl's.
-Won't rev freely, but will rev if you can hold the throttle part-on for a second, then it starts to pick up, and will rev happily enough if a bit lumpily.
-Probably not related, but there is now a rattle from the clutch area too. Release bearing perhaps?

Spec for those who don't know:
1293cc, low-ish comp, t3 turbo, 14cc pistons, 26cc head, spi fuel tank + pump, avonbar(i think) fuel reg.

The engine ran fine in the frog, and the only thing that has changed since pulling it out of that shell and putting it into the new one is the turbo.

Things I've checked:
Checked dash-pot oil (altho not sure how full it should be, but it does 'squidge')
Replaced plugs (RS Turbo ones)
checked for spark (on all 4)
checked that leads are on correctly!

I'm not 99% sure that I have the wiring right, but I'm not sure that anything would cause it to run this badly, if it runs at all?



Any advice would be great - it's getting frustrating.

Cheers,
al.

Edited by AlexB on 8th May, 2008.

sounds like mine did. Check the timing, have you tried swinging the dizzy to see if it makes it any better. And what is the rev counter doing? sitting still or flicking about?

Mine also got worse when it was warm, that turned out to be valve clearances, get your feelers out.

Happy to pop round at the weekend if you want to blitz it together.

dont have feelers. Not tried playing with the dizzy, but I can't see why it would have moved.

Do you use the metro turbo dizzy and module?

Check that his has 12V rather than a ballasted 9V supply.

I assume that the fuel that you are using is fresh and not 12 months old.

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

I would say ign timing too.

1/4 Mile 14.3secs 96Mph Terminal 10psi of boost.


Fibreglass Parts? - http://www.tdkracing.co.uk/
Split Rims? - http://www.force-racing.co.uk/

sounds to me like plug leads may be on wrong, check you did them right, No1 at water pump end of engine and check which way dizzy turns to work out order of leads.

no longer a series, but still 1.3 turbo.

Cheers will, I'll check the dizzy. It's a metro turbo one as far as I'm aware.

Fuel is fresh.

cant remeber off the top of my head mate, but never presume lol. take dizzy cap off and get somebody to crank it and youll see it spin. unplug coil so you dont get sapped mind.

no longer a series, but still 1.3 turbo.

Will try tonight if I get a chance.. if it is that simple I will really have to laugh at my amazing mechanic skills.

I think its anti clock wise, but I always have to check it to be sure,

Anti clockwise for sure

there you go then, swap leads 2&3 over.

sounds the exact same problem as mines having, was running fine before though and then turned to shit, changing leads/plugs etc didnt help so i think it must be coil related on mine or something to do with the dizzy maybe.

Runs even worse under load aswell.

varnish in the carb?

could it be the ignition coil?
I had a problem like this and mine was the coil!

Medusa + injection = too much torque for the dyno ..https://youtu.be/qg5o0_tJxYM

Doh

Doh. Was the anti-clockwise-ness.

Runs fine now.

Thanks lads!!

// crawls off in shame.

cool

whats next?

So what was it in the end? Lead in wrong position?

yep, 2 and 3 the wrong way round.

Brake lights next, then rear suspension bolts, then new shocks (if the bushes turn up tomorrow), painting interior, fitting harness, and MOT!

tag the leads up alexs using small tiewraps....... no more issues then

Yep, problems with the brake lights at the moment. :)