8 replies to this topic

[Timmehgane]

Hey Y'all

 

I know people have asked about their particular car having problems starting in the cold. But my question is much more for everyone!

 

Has anyone come up with a good solution for sorting out the Mini for starting in the cold and maybe damp / rainy days. Particularly the morning.

 

Basically I am going on a work placement year, and I'm worried that my car isn't going to start 50% of the time at 8am when I need it for a daily drive.

 

So!

 

Does anyone have any more radical solutions to the problem that I assume a lot of people suffer?

 

In other words, more modern cars have already started by the time the driver has turned the key and looked back up at the windscreen. Instead of turning the key and hoping the Mini is having a good day!

 

Looking forward to suggestions!

 

Thank you all!

[MiniMonty]

There's no magic required.

Keep the battery well pumped (by regularly driving a good few miles or trickle charging overnight). 

Make sure your starter motor, plugs and points are in good nick.

With a carb engine get the mixture right and keep it right. 

Look after it generally and there's no reason why it shouldn't fire up like a Lambo every day.

I use mine every day of the year and it never lets me down (hmmm - small lie) 

It very rarely lets me down - and when it does it because I didn't change the plugs, points,

clean the air filter  - or something. 

It's a well designed and well built machine that if well looked after will be reliable. 

 

Hang on - you're in Torbay - they grow palm trees there - no worries about cold starts !!!   : )

[M J W J]

I used my mini as a daily drive for over 2 years and it was used in all weathers, rain, snow and shine.

 

I had a battery boost and a can of easy start always on hand but I never had to resort to them. Other than servicing it when needed and keeping and eye on all my fluids (this applies to any car not just minis anyway) I didn't do anything special.

 

I did stretch a rubber glove of the distributor when we had the really wet summer in 2008 but that was more a precautionary measure.

 

The only time my mini broke down was when I forgot to put fuel in it (twice). Rust was what finally killed it.

[coopdog]

mine loved not starting,

it was always an easy fix though, like the connections on the battery always abit loose, just had the push on type and the battery was loose in the tray, thats my fault.
 

[ACDodd]

Fit new ht leads every year. Fit a decent battery. Service the starting circuit to minimise voltage drop from the battery to the starter. By this I mean actually measure what you have and then reduce it by soldering connections etc. fit up rated soldered earth straps. Setve the charging system to ensure that there is minimal voltage drop between the alternator and battery. Test the performance of the alternator to verify its output is as it should be. Lap you valves in. This aspect makes you engine easier to start as it builds combustible mixture at lower cranking rpm. Also check to see if you have the optimum starter motor for your application.

Happy to perform some tests if your near salisbury.

Ac

Edited by ACDodd, 14 April 2014 - 05:48 PM.

[Dan]

In other words, more modern cars have already started by the time the driver has turned the key and looked back up at the windscreen. Instead of turning the key and hoping the Mini is having a good day!
 
Looking forward to suggestions!
 
Thank you all!

Not true at all of a well maintained carb Mini. EFI cars need to turn at least twice before they will attempt to fire so they can synchronise the computer to the engine position, most will run three revolutions. A carb A series that's used reasonably often (so the float chamber is full) should catch and run from 1/2 a revolution, A series engines are excellent starters. It should start as soon as you turn the key.

[cal844]

Fit an electronic dizzy, give it a good service(plugs,leads,oil+ filter, air filter) fit an 075 or 096 battery (you may have to modify the base of the 096) and use it daily in the summert! It will start every dasy, ours do, even after a 3 month lay up!

[woodley miniman]

If your having trouble starting it now replace the solenoid, I had trouble starting mine mini for about 8 months, finally got round to sorting it out and found the solenoid was at fault. Now starts on the button every time.

[Cerberus]

 

In other words, more modern cars have already started by the time the driver has turned the key and looked back up at the windscreen. Instead of turning the key and hoping the Mini is having a good day!
 
Looking forward to suggestions!
 
Thank you all!

Not true at all of a well maintained carb Mini. EFI cars need to turn at least twice before they will attempt to fire so they can synchronise the computer to the engine position, most will run three revolutions. A carb A series that's used reasonably often (so the float chamber is full) should catch and run from 1/2 a revolution, A series engines are excellent starters. It should start as soon as you turn the key.

 

 

Mine certainly doesn't,

 

Mine will always take a few seconds cranking when starting from cold, sometimes firing up and then cutting out, start again, and cut out again.

Pretty sure it must be fuel supply, and so it needs cranking a bit to pump the fuel up to the carb.

Only ever not started, and that was either due to a very cold morning, or just a low battery.

 

Once warm it starts up easily.