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Common Scenario

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Webb Sledge

Webb Sledge

Jedi Warrior
Offline
Ok, imagine this:

You walk out to your LBC after going out to eat at a restaurant, and turn the key. The engine turns over, but won't start. What do you do to try and get it to start?
 
What I would do (assuming the starter cranks the engine)...

1. Determine if there is spark at the end of the ignition wires. This will rule out/rule in the ignition system. If no spark, check point gap, 12V getting to coil & all connections. I carry a complete ignition system so to get home I would replace it all if I couldn't isolate the problem component (takes a couple of minutes).

2. If there is spark, I would check to see if there is fuel pumping out of the line to the carbs. If no, I carry an electric get-me-home fuel pump -- bypass the mechanical pump and pump electric (takes about 3 minutes).

3. If fuel is getting pumped I would open up the fuel bowls and see if there is gas in there (assuming SUs)... no gas may mean a stuck needle/grose jet valve (though usually one carb is enough to fire the engine roughly).

Those are some simple steps for the common problems that are likely to be diagnosed and fixed in a restaurant parking lot. There are a lot of things that can happen but 'no spark' and 'no fuel' are at the heart of most problems that keeps the engine from starting and a handful (ok 2 handfuls) of tools and parts can address most of the causes at least well enough to drive home.

Note, realize that there are many other things that can keep and engine from firing/running -- but since we can assume you drove the car to the restaurant many of the more complex things are unlikely to suddenly occur (e.g. cam timing, faulty carb adjustment, heavily contaminated fuel tank, etc).
 
Well, first thing I would do would be to check whether the HT lead is still secure at both ends, and that the wires are still solidly connected to the coil. Then, in no particular order.........Did I hear the ticking of the fuel pump when I turned the ignition on? If so, is there gas in the tank? If that was positive too, I would disconnect the fuel feed to the carb(s) and see if there was fuel getting through (clogged fuel filter), and if that was okay, check the rotor arm and the distributor cap. (Never hurts to have a spare rotor and dizzy cap on board at all times anyway). If that failed, outside a restaurant and without tools, I would take out the cell phone and call AAA /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
There was a time that a TR stranded me, but there was nobody to blame but myself, since I was the loon that hadnt put the oil into the diff before heading out on the road....
In short, this is NOT a common scenario at all in my experience. A well cared for TR is no more likely to crapout on you than any car from a bygone era. Do I cary spares?? yes but they are just cheap insurance. The car KNOWS you have these bits and wont break anything you carry. The more you drive it the more you will marvel at how solid they really are.
MD(mad dog)
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gifNot a very common scenario In an MG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
The car KNOWS you have these bits and wont break anything you carry.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a good one. And most likely true!!!
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
The car KNOWS you have these bits and wont break anything you carry.

[/ QUOTE ]


HAHAHA!! That's hilarious, because it's most likely true! I believe the LBCs are by far the smartest cars on the road.
 
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