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I'm new to this site. I've had a 3000 Mk1 for about 5 years and have driven it sporadically. I just had it tuned up and now it won't start. Electricals go on with key and engine turns over...but no hint of the engine firing. Any suggestions for this neophyte would be appreciated. I am not well versed mechanically.
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car won't start
- Thread starter redhealey
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dklawson
Yoda
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The two basics are fuel and spark. You said the points were replaced during the tune up, Were the carbs adjusted also?
Start by looking for spark. Pull a spark plug (say from cylinder #1). Use a clip lead or something to ground the plugs threads to the block and reattach the spark plug wire to the plug. Have an assistant crank the engine over and look for a spark at the plug. If no spark, pull the dizzy cap and bump the engine over slowly on the starter while you watch the points to make sure they're opening. If you have spark put the plug back in and check your static timing. Once you're sure you've got spark and the static timing is OK, look into the fuel system.
Start by looking for spark. Pull a spark plug (say from cylinder #1). Use a clip lead or something to ground the plugs threads to the block and reattach the spark plug wire to the plug. Have an assistant crank the engine over and look for a spark at the plug. If no spark, pull the dizzy cap and bump the engine over slowly on the starter while you watch the points to make sure they're opening. If you have spark put the plug back in and check your static timing. Once you're sure you've got spark and the static timing is OK, look into the fuel system.
tahoe healey
Yoda
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By electrical, do you mean you can hear the fuel pump ticking? Check the little wire that goes to the outside of the distributer. It comes off easy and may have been bumped if you checked the oil level.
I personally like to run the car every week or two in winter just to keep the juices flowing (mine and my BJ's). Then I don't get any supprises in spring. Although this year I had a valve cover gasket fail.
I personally like to run the car every week or two in winter just to keep the juices flowing (mine and my BJ's). Then I don't get any supprises in spring. Although this year I had a valve cover gasket fail.
RH Do you have fuel? If the pump clicks, over then check the float chambers. New formulation of gasoline have sulphur content rising and I've found the this material, left behind with evaporation, will stick the needle valves to their seats, restricting fuel from filling the float bowls, even with the telfon coated needles, and with double ball Grose Jets.
Good hunting - Bob
Good hunting - Bob
thanks for all the replies...a lot of experience on this site.
I have tried multiple times to start the car and one thing I remember being strange was that I haven't heard the fuel pump.
I tried again today. When I turned the key, I heard the pump for the first time and... the car started.
Do I have a fuel pump problem that will occur again? Is it the pump or maybe an electrical problem involving the pump?
I have tried multiple times to start the car and one thing I remember being strange was that I haven't heard the fuel pump.
I tried again today. When I turned the key, I heard the pump for the first time and... the car started.
Do I have a fuel pump problem that will occur again? Is it the pump or maybe an electrical problem involving the pump?
dklawson
Yoda
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If you still have the original SU fuel pump it may be the fuel pump points. Do some google searching on SU fuel pumps and I'm sure you'll find lengthy information on cleaning and burnishing these points. You can also buy new ones. During your searching you may also come across sites discussing the addition of a protection diode to the points to prolong their life.
The first British car I worked on was a '64 MGB and its fuel pump regularly took naps. My friend who owned the car carried a piece of 2x4 which he would routinely drag out to "beat" the pump and get the points working again. It was primitive, but you'll probably find a lot of people sheepishly admitting they've done the same.
The first British car I worked on was a '64 MGB and its fuel pump regularly took naps. My friend who owned the car carried a piece of 2x4 which he would routinely drag out to "beat" the pump and get the points working again. It was primitive, but you'll probably find a lot of people sheepishly admitting they've done the same.
G
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IT may be something wrong .