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MG TD TF 1500 - Ideas? video of my TF refusing to fire up

Here I am again, the know nothing noob, seeking more advice.

I couldn't get my TF to start today - there was a lot of cranking, and almost firing up, but never any cigar, as shown in the video (and most importantly, audio) excerpt I've linked to here (I wish I could make it an actual hyperlink instead of asking y'all to copy and paste this URL, sorry):


https://vimeo.com/111373220


These were the conditions:

It hadn't been started for a couple months (shame on me!!)

The temperature was 50 something degrees F.

I had the choke pulled about 2/3 most of the time, but also tried no choke and full choke.

I would space each attempted starting session approx. 5 - 10 min. apart.

I never pumped the gas pedal (I've been told that's not helpful).

At one point I did tap the little top button for each carb, having seen something once about this priming them - or something....?

There is plenty of gas in the tank.

I'm going to try again tomorrow - it is forecast to be 10 degrees warmer.

Thanks!



M Ragan

Hi, did you hear the fuel pump when you first turned on the ignition?
Regards, Don TF 4887
D J Walker

Yes that characteristic fuel pump clicking was present.
M Ragan

If the car has been running, although some months ago, I wouldn't suspect timing. Can you squirt some fuel directly into the carbs, I know it's a pain to undo the air-cleaners, even one would suffice, then you could eliminate fuel if it was the same. Sounds like it almost goes though.
Good luck, regards, Don TF 4887 (in warm Sth. Oz)
D J Walker

If you're close to an outlet, plug a battery charger in and charge the battery for an hour or so to insure it is fully charged, and leave it on while starting.
Sounds like it has current since it is rolling over, but your ignition can always stand to have all the voltage it can get while cranking.
Watch your terminals since you may have positive ground.
JRN JIM

m,
Did you check the condition of the plugs?? maybe they are fouled from too much choke?? Hold one with an insulated pair of plyers against the block as the engine is turned over,(ignition on),, can you see a spark at the electrodes??
Steve
Steve Wincze

How about a little ether(starting fluid)? Just a little sniff in the air cleaners should get it going.

Some folks claim that it washes the lubrication off the cylinder walls and I suppose that if one were to flood the engine with it it could. I have two diesels with built-in, push button ether systems and I've used it on gas engines for years with no apparent bad effect so I don't believe that one. I have a chain saw with no primer system that refuses to start without it.

I didn't listen to the audio but an engine that seems to be trying but just can't quite get going may have too little initial timing advance.
JE Carroll

Points or Pertonix?
MG LaVerne

I second JE, if it is a fuel problem it will briefly start. Ignition-no, and that will help narrow the problem down. George
George Butz

Question unrelated to your starting problem -

Your steering wheel looks great. Is it original? If not, where did you buy it?

Thanks,

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

My TD did that about a month ago. It had all kinds of energy to crank, but no start. Looked at all kinds of possibilities and finally decided to try the obvious - new battery fixed it.

X2 on the suggestion above to put it on a tender for as long as needed to get the battery up to full charge. Mine took about 40 hours. When I took it to the mechanic for a thorough check he said the battery was on its last legs.

Mine had also sat for a couple of months.

BobbyG
Bobby Galvez

Easiest things to check first...spark..

If you have a pertronix and you don't have 12 volts at the battery during cranking it won't fire even though you have plenty of amps to spin the motor.

Points can and do film over while sitting. Pop the dizzy cap off and crank the motor and see if you have a good spark jumping the points. If you don't file the points. If you do then you have fuel issues.
MG LaVerne

I'm with LaVerne here : Check for spark first.
If you have spark, next check for fuel.
Put a jar under one of the carb overflow tubes and push the "tickler pin" to see if you are getting fuel. Be careful doing this. (preferably with someone "on" the key switch in the car).

If no fuel: Is there a filter in the fuel line somewhere?
David Sheward 55 TF1500 # 7427

I tried what would be the easiest thing for me first - spraying the little sniff of starting fluid in the air cleaners.

It then STARTED INSTANTANEOUSLY. Thank you JE, George and all other responders. I woulda been stuck badly today without ya.

And LM, about the steering wheel, the way I'm remembering it off hand is the gentleman who nicely restored this TF in the early 80's had found it with an MGB steering wheel attached, so he replaced it with this current one (not remembering if he was able to find an original TF steering wheel, but if so, this one sure is in good condition).

M Ragan

I love an easy fix!
David Sheward 55 TF1500 # 7427

This thread was discussed on 10/11/2014

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