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MGA Cleaned engine compartment on MGA - wont start now

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Sheridan

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I am new to this forum and new to MGAs. I just bought a 1959 MGA that has a 1800 MGB engine in it. I was doing some basic cleaning in the engine compartment and failed to cover the air cleaners. Yes - I am pretty sure I got water in the carbs. When I was done (everything looks really clean), the car started right away and ran enough to get 5 feet out of my garage then it started running rough and eventually stalled after a fantastic backfire. Now I cant get it started again. I have spark in all four cylinders. I am pretty sure this is because of the water I got in the carbs but have no idea how to even go about this. To be real honest, these carbs scare me a little bit (as I said, I am brand new to British cars). Anybody have any recommendations for me? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
 
I very much doubt it is water. I suspect old gas, or a clog. Try starting it with starter fluid and see if it goes. How long was it sitting before you got it? And, welcome!
 
I have driven it about 200 or so miles in the past couple weeks and the gas is all new so I am pretty sure it is not bad gas but I have not ruled out a clog. The plugs were dry so it may not be getting gas. Is there a common place to check for a clog?
 
Fuel filter! Carb float bowls!
 
A little water in the carb throat really shouldn't hurt anything. As much as I'm skeptical of coincidences, I suspect this might be one. I'd check for the usual fuel problems, plugged lines, stuck float valve, and so on.
 
Sheridan said:
Seems this was a bit of a gremlin. Got in this morning and it started right up so I drive it to work (32 miles) with no issues. Odd....
Click to expand...

Kidney stone passed!

:thumbsup:
Mickey
 
Sheridan said:
Seems this was a bit of a gremlin. Got in this morning and it started right up so I drive it to work (32 miles) with no issues. Odd....
Click to expand...


Mickey, may be right, kidney stone passed, however, if it happens again, it may be worth cleaning your tank - it may be a floating clog. Or gunk at the bottom.
 
He got water in his distributor cap.
This caused a misfire. Sure you had spark -- it just wasn't to the right cylinders at the right time.
After you let it sit the water that had condensed inside the cap evaporated and now it runs fine.
Always cover your distributor cap with Saran wrap or similar prior to cleaning.
There are lots of other parts that don't like direct hits of water either.
Air Filters.
Generator
Fuse box (although I laugh every time I say this about an MGA with 2 fuses)
Anything else electrical under the hood.
 
Bossbill said:
He got water in his distributor cap.
This caused a misfire. Sure you had spark -- it just wasn't to the right cylinders at the right time.
After you let it sit the water that had condensed inside the cap evaporated and now it runs fine.
Always cover your distributor cap with Saran wrap or similar prior to cleaning.
There are lots of other parts that don't like direct hits of water either.
Air Filters.
Generator
Fuse box (although I laugh every time I say this about an MGA with 2 fuses)
Anything else electrical under the hood.
Click to expand...


Sounds perfectly logical!!! Thanks for the reply!!!
 
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