1977 mgb gt carb cleaned now won't start
1977 mgb gt carb cleaned now won't start
Hi I have a 1977 mgb gt, today I decided to strip and clean the carbs, I used carb cleaner to clean the bowls and I topped the oil up aswell. I then refitted the carbs and started it up, it wouldnt start and now all it does is the fuel pump constantly ticks even tho the bowls are full, it won't start and the plugs are dry but the bowls are full? Any help?? Please....
Re: 1977 mgb gt carb cleaned now won't start
Either or both float needles is/are now not seating. Common enough when you've been in about at the float chambers, try giving the chambers' lids a sharp tap and when that doesn't do the job, consider new float needles as they tend to wear to ridges against the seats, causing poor seating and overflow into the expansion bowl that should be somewhere low down in the engine bay. The tube from the bowl then picks up petrol instead of air, so making the problem appear even more persistent as it effectively over enriches the mixture.
Some cars may vent their float chambers to atmosphere - usually when someone's removed the overflow/breather arrangement - so don't worry if you can't follow the overflow to a small, round bowl as described above.
Some cars may vent their float chambers to atmosphere - usually when someone's removed the overflow/breather arrangement - so don't worry if you can't follow the overflow to a small, round bowl as described above.
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
Re: 1977 mgb gt carb cleaned now won't start
I think the engine would start even if the float chambers are flooding - I have had this very common annoying problem on MG's, Jag,s and BMC engines and they always started.
The B will need full choke if it is to start from cold in this weather, so check it is set up correctly . Are you certain there is a spark
The B will need full choke if it is to start from cold in this weather, so check it is set up correctly . Are you certain there is a spark
Re: 1977 mgb gt carb cleaned now won't start
Hi I'll check there's a spark after wodo got a new set of plugs to throw in aswell, but the fuel pump shouldn't be ticking if the bowls are full should it?
Re: 1977 mgb gt carb cleaned now won't start
Who???nestor-gt wrote:wodo got a new set of plugs to throw in aswell,
Never mind.
OK, just a thought, if you (or someone) has changed the plugs, you did put the leads back on in the correct order, right?
The pump might still run if the float chambers are overflowing as JPB surmises, he's right, float needles in these aren't the most reliable, I changed them in one of my cars to rubber-tipped ones.
As above - check for a spark, you may have more than one problem here, although it's all simple stuff.
Cheers!
Some people are like Slinkies - they serve no useful purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.
Re: 1977 mgb gt carb cleaned now won't start
Ok guys checked for a spark today and no joy, no spark at all, I havnt even messed with anything to do with that and the ca was running until I removed te carbs? Help please.
Re: 1977 mgb gt carb cleaned now won't start
OK, without doing some basic tests we'll all be guessing, so back to basics:
Take dizzy cap off so you can see the points and rotate engine until points are closed. Make sure they are truly closed.
Switch ignition on.
Then meter voltage at the two coil connectors. On one you should get 12V (or thereabouts) and the other zero. Then keep the meter on the zero volts connector and open the points - you should get around 12V there too with the points open. As you open and close the points this voltage should go up and down.
Do these checks and post back.
If the above checks out then your basic low-tension circuit is (probably) good, if not then we'll take it from there.
Cheers!
Take dizzy cap off so you can see the points and rotate engine until points are closed. Make sure they are truly closed.
Switch ignition on.
Then meter voltage at the two coil connectors. On one you should get 12V (or thereabouts) and the other zero. Then keep the meter on the zero volts connector and open the points - you should get around 12V there too with the points open. As you open and close the points this voltage should go up and down.
Do these checks and post back.
If the above checks out then your basic low-tension circuit is (probably) good, if not then we'll take it from there.
Cheers!
Some people are like Slinkies - they serve no useful purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.
Re: 1977 mgb gt carb cleaned now won't start
I will have to check tomorrow mate thank ky, I've replaced the plugs and dizzy cap so far, I've got some ignition parts siting about so I'll give what you've said a go nd report back with my results tomorrow. Quick question should the red light on the dash be on whilst cranking?
Re: 1977 mgb gt carb cleaned now won't start
The red light (often called the ignition light) is there to tell you whether the dynamo/alternator is charging or not. So given that it can't be charging while you're cranking the engine, then yes, the red light should be on. Note that this is true of every car, even modern cars. It should go out once the engine has started, but not before.nestor-gt wrote: Quick question should the red light on the dash be on whilst cranking?
Cheers
Some people are like Slinkies - they serve no useful purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.
Re: 1977 mgb gt carb cleaned now won't start
Right guys I've replaced the dizzy cap and plugs and no joy, checked the battery it's fine, I then removed the coil lead and touched it to metal whilst turning the engine over no spark is it my coil??