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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Midget wont fire

Tried to start my 1275 midget today after 15 years! I have got a spark when I hold a plug against the block and the plugs are getting wet with petrol. It spins over fine, enough to get oil pressure but there is no hint of it firing. Any ideas please of what to try next please? It has new petrol in and all ignition parts are new.
m fairclough

Timing or leads to wrong cylinder??
S McGregor

Condensor!
Coil leads!
Distributor!
Rotor!
Points!

Check all of these!
Rich Amos (1 Sprite 1 Midget!)

I have timed the engine at TDC and that has the rotor pointing to 1"o"clock and I have put the leads at 1-3-4-2 anti clockwise from there. All the ignition parts are new. I have heard of faulty condensors before but would I get a spark at the plug if any of the bits are not working?
m fairclough

Has the new petrol actually gotten into the carbs yet. Have you drained the carbs and filled them with new petrol, if not them maybe try tipping a spoonful of new petrol into the carb throats and seeing if that gets any indication of life, that would at least give an indication that the ignition system was working OK and the problem was the fuel.
David Billington

Hey M,

My guess is God is looking out after you by NOT allowing it to fire. I think your a luck guy.

If its sat for 15 years and never been started, you got a lot of work to do before you fire it up

You need to drain the oil, and replace with new, give the carbs a complete tear down and and reclean, new stat and coolent, put a teaspoon of oli in each of the cly. and let sit over night, soak the valves/springs/stems in penetrating oil over night, then turn the engine over by hand a good 50 rev. clean out the fuel pump and clean off or replace the fuel pump points, replace fuel filter, Id go ahead and do hoses and belts at the same time they probably wont hold, (due to dry rot)

most likely if your getting a good blue spark the ignition its okay, if the plugs are wet with fuel your carberation (MAYBE) in okay shape check the dashpots for oil and that the carb pistons are not sticking, that leaves compression...do a compression check and see if any of the cly. are dead or much lower then the others....if there is one, pull the valve cover and turn the engine over and see if a corrasponding valve to the dead cly. (most likely it will be an exhaust) is stuck

let us know
Prop
Prop***The End in 2012

Mike

When it's at TDC and pointing at 1 o'clock, are both valves on No. 1 cylinder closed? If one or both is/are open and both valves on No. 4 are closed, your distributor drive is in 180 degrees out...not uncommon if you've used a Haynes manual.

If this is the case, swap plug leads between 1&4 and 2&3.

I would pop round and have a look, but I'm on slab-laying duty tomorrow.
Dave O'Neill 2

Hijack alert

Dave is there a good time to come to Solihull soon in search of GT2s?

Mike I suggest what David B advises may be all you need to get life back into the old veins, just a squirt or so...
Bill sdgpm

Cheers Guys,sorry didn't give the whole story. The engine ran about 3 years ago in different car. All the oil is new it has had a new head gasket. Carbs have been stripped and put back together with new gaskets. I will have a look at the leads again tomorrow Dave, if still no go after this weekend is it ok if I give you a call.
m fairclough

Thank god,

Thats good to know!!!....I was thinking 15 years, are you nuts....LOL.

I could just see the engine firing up and ripping the shell bearing right out the bottom end.

Did you get a chance to do a fast compression check.

I got to agree also with David B, fuel sitting around for 3 years, loses its snap, crackle, pop.

Did the engine ever hit (make a bang, pop, or cough) act like it wanted to start?

Prop
Prop***The End in 2012

Mike
Yes, no problem.

Bill,
Yes, let me know.
Dave O'Neill 2

It lives! The car started today after I checked the timing and moved the dizzy until the voltmeter showed the points just opening. Lots of noise, smoke and strange smells. It now has a water leak !
Thanks for all the advice/offers of help.
m fairclough

>>>>>>>>Lots of noise, smoke and strange smells.<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<


HHhhhmmmmm, Mice living in the exhaust manifold, couldnt make it out in time????


Prop
Prop

This thread was discussed between 11/04/2009 and 13/04/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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