MG Midget Starting issues, Whats Wrong With Mindy!
Is your classic MG Midget 1500 having trouble starting? Well ours did, in this video we go about trying to diagnose the starting issue she developed.
🚗 Whether you're a seasoned MG enthusiast or a novice DIYer, this video will hopefully help you when trying to find starting faults. From a faulty ignition system to issues with the fuel delivery, We checked it all.
🛠️ Topics Covered:
Introduction to Starting Issues: Understand the common signs and symptoms of starting problems in the 1975 MG Midget 1500.
Diagnosis Tools and Techniques: Learn how to use basic tools and diagnostic techniques to pinpoint the root cause of the starting issue.
Ignition System Inspection: Dive into the ignition system components and troubleshoot issues related to spark plugs, ignition coils, and more.
Fuel System Examination: Explore the fuel delivery system, including the fuel pump, filters, and carburetor, to identify and fix fuel-related starting problems.
Battery and Electrical Check: Ensure your MG Midget's electrical system is working correctly.
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#MG #Midget1500 #ClassicCarRestoration #DIYCarRepair #CarTroubleshooting #VintageCars #MGEnthusiasts #CarMaintenance #StartingIssues #classiccars #carenthusiast #carmaintenance
Пікірлер: 44
Well done sir. My Moggie likes to take me 2 steps forward and 1 step back with any and every job that I do. I don’t even have the excuse of naively on my side. I’m 71 and my first motor on the road was a 1965 battered ex post office Minor van. Keep ‘er lit ya boy ye - as we say back here in Northern Ireland.
@rustenuts
7 ай бұрын
Thank you, it can be tricky trying to work out what they need/want but we get there in the end.
❤ very kind, yes that would be great, and yes please ask your followers, hope you enjoy the new Year also. Thanks Anthony
@rustenuts
7 ай бұрын
Same to you!
It's great when it comes together in the end. Just bought a 1977 flamenco red Midget and finding your videos very helpful. Happy Christmas
@rustenuts
7 ай бұрын
Thanks, you too!
Hi both, well done I certainly would not have the ability you have and no way would I have the patience and knowledge . I stated before I'm 71 and driving my first midget ( Stella ) I have no clue what the control s are, no interior light working, no washer fluid onto windscreen, door mirror still shakes like mad, arm very loose onto body,but you have given me what to try. Did tighten screws but still very loose. But hay what fun. My question to you my friend's is 1, do you ever get near to bewdley, so we could meet and buy you a coffee while you explain what's what. 2, do you know anyone near to me who can look after my girl to keep her on top form running ,etc when needed.😊 . Fantastic vlogs thanks for your efforts. Have a great Xmas and again love your vlogs. Cheers Anthony
@rustenuts
7 ай бұрын
Hi, we can always arrange getting over to Bewdley as it would be lovely to meet you, maybe arrange a drive out next year? I am not sure of any classic car specialists over your way but its a question we could ask on our socials if you would like us to? thank you for your kind comments we have some great plans for 2024. Have a great Christmas sir.
Had a '58 Holden (Stromberg Carby) here in Aussie --- much the same same problem I finally pulled the dizzy out and found internal open circuit from the point's base-plate, you would think it wouldn't need a braided wire to Earth! It did! You couldn't see it at rest but as soon as the thing started turning so on and off went the spark, a little tip, some oil filled Coils if mounted horizontally, will fail on either left or right hand corners as the guts will sometimes move in the case!!!!
@rustenuts
7 ай бұрын
Hi there, I am yet to pull the dizzy apart but i feel it will be a similar problem. I thought the same with the coil but the black one that is mounted on the car is resin filled race coil so no sloshing effect which is a good thing, but a great tip for anyone having the same issue. Thanks for the comment Have a great Christmas.
You're very calm in this situation. Changing our 1500 Midget over to electronic ignition cure our low idle problem
@rustenuts
6 ай бұрын
Thank you, I try to stay calm, its easier to trouble shoot then. yes electronic ignition defo makes a difference to the idle and general performance of the car. This could be because my old dizzy and points could have been duff.
Glad you got here going. Sounded like the condenser to me. Did you change that? I ended up taking the electronic ignition off mine when I was having hot starting/running problems. Turned out to be a dead plug though. The MG guru John Twist recommends sticking to the original CB points. TBH they are more reliable provdd you get decent quality ones and easy to fix at the roadside.
@rustenuts
7 ай бұрын
Hi there, yes the condenser was also change but made no noticeable difference, it seemed as if the dizzy itself was the problem but this could be a coincidence. The electronic ignition was a kit i had for the Moggy Minor so was a good quick check, and considering it is now working better than ever i am reluctant to change back, however that doesn't mean it will stay on the car as you are say normal points are much easier to maintain and repair. However i have found trying to get good quality point these days is very hard to find. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. Have a great Christmas Liam
Good job finding the real root cause. Mine was running fine when i parked her last month. Too much salt on our roads in Rochester, NY in the winter to dare.
@rustenuts
7 ай бұрын
there is a bit of salt on the roads here too, need to get the chassis treated, that will be a future video. Thanks you
Great to see a warts and all fault finding session… I’ve played that merry-go-round many times 🙄 I’m a fan of electronic ignition, it’s a great upgrade 👍 although, I have a car on points and endeavour to use dizzy doctor parts 😊
@rustenuts
6 ай бұрын
You and me both! I am yet to be fully converted to the Electronic points but this is a massive push into the favour party
Always had to use Aero Start to fire up our Sprite from cold. Once the engine ran for any amount of time & put the slightesst amount of heat into the engine it fired up instantly. The car had a race cam that was replaced with a sporty road cam & starting is very easy. We thought we had a fuel problem with our Jaguar Mk2. All the symptoms indicated fuel starvation. My husband cleaned all filters, rebuilt the fuel pump, cleaned the carbs, drained the fuel pump & blew through the fuel lines. In frustration my husband took the Jag to a trusted Jag specialist who found the problem in 10 minutes. There was a dry joint on the earth lead in the distributor. With the dizzy fixed & all the fuel items fully sorted the car ran better than ever.
@rustenuts
6 ай бұрын
Hi, often the easy fixes are the ones we over look. thank you for your comment.
Think i have similar issue. I have a 77 1500 Midget. Was running fine with a 25d also. Then just like that was running bad. So bad it wont rev past 3000 rpm and struggles to max 30mph. Coil test show its fine. I have spark and have fuel. I was looking for a second hand 45d but that could prove to be faulty also. Just purchased but waiting for delivery still a new 45d electronic dizzy with coil from Accuspark . I hope this cures my issue
@rustenuts
Ай бұрын
fingers crossed its the dizzy, it fixed my issue.
Good job, it sounded like the timing had slipped at the start, but you found the problem in the end, I'm about to fit an electronic ignition kit to my daughters 1968 Triumph Herald, I think it could be the same kim as used on your Morris Minor, What do you think? Have a great Christmas. Bob
@rustenuts
7 ай бұрын
Hi Bob, I think their kits are ok, they get a lot of stick from many youtubers but i have always found them to be pretty good. I had loads of issues trying to set it up on the morris minor but on the midget it was easy really easy infact. Have a great. Christmas. Liam
Had a certain similar problem on my wife's Traveller earlier this year. I could get it to run but not right, to cut a story short, I put an Accuspark electronic distributor and coil in, reset timing and got an instant result, my wife says it's running better and smoother so it must be right😂🤣😉
@rustenuts
7 ай бұрын
Great stuff, love a traveller
Look at the arking down the #2 plug
@rustenuts
Ай бұрын
Yeah a number of issues were happening with the ignitions system, all changed now and running like a dream. Bloody good spot though well done. Thank you
Try starter fluid If it fires, the spark is good If it doesn't start, spark is the issue I got tired of my sprite carbs and made a change. I just stuck a sbc 383ci in it
@rustenuts
7 ай бұрын
Think it’s all fixed, she seems to be running lovely now. Thank you for the suggestion
Hi, i realise its going back a bit. Ive a 1977 midget 1500 and am about to fit the 45d Accuspark dizzy. Did you connect the red wire from the dizzy to the coil+ or to the fuse box? Our cars have a ballast wire rather than resistor as i'm sure you know hence my wiring confusion. I'm using a 1.5ohm coil. Thanks!
@rustenuts
Ай бұрын
I connected to the coil itself sir and its been running perfect ever since.
@brystonecowboy
Ай бұрын
Thanks for the help. Just bought one of your stickers for the motor. Good luck with the Landy
@rustenuts
Ай бұрын
Thank you sir very kind
I dont think your intake manifold seated at the bottom. Take a feeler gauge, .010 inch or smaller, see if your can slide it up between the manifold and gasket. Its so common folks cant get the bottom two retainers tight
@rustenuts
6 ай бұрын
Thank you, never even considered the intake. I will check that out. Thank you again
Please write me what you finally changed in your MG that finally works properly. I have similar symptoms and I have no idea what to do.
@rustenuts
5 ай бұрын
Hi, it turned out in my case that the distributer had failed, after all the checks of the timing, spark, ht leads, coil and compression I changed the dizzy for one off my Morris minor which was actually electronic. I swapped this over and it fixed the issue straight away. She now starts from cold no problem and hot. so the only thing i can suggest if you have checked all the the above is to try a new dizzy. This is not saying it will fix your issue but if your engine is good, you have good compression then the best thing to do is to make sure your static timing is correct and carbs are balanced and set correctly first before you start diagnosis. The haynes manual is a good guide to give you the info for setting the engine and carbs up first. Sorry for not giving a straight answer but its difficult to give you a answer without seeing or hearing the car. Get yourself a workshop manual and take your time to make sure the timing is right first then set the carbs then if its not right after that you will need to look for failed components. Good luck.
Hello, running much better. Which 45d distributor did you use
@rustenuts
2 ай бұрын
Hi yes its perfect now, but its running on a 45d Accuspark distributor.
@anthonya3220
2 ай бұрын
@@rustenuts thanks
Hi. I’m thinking of buying a carcoon. Size large 3. There £605 delivered. It’s a lot of money. And I’d only use in winter as happy with a good cover in summer months and for ease of taking of and using car and putting back on in evenings. Are you happy with the carcoon and would you recommend one. Ps. Loving your hands on genuine videos 👌
@rustenuts
6 ай бұрын
Hi, Yes I absolutely would. They are a faff to take off everytime but they keep the car out of the elements and maintain a great airflow. My Midget is in one all the time and it only takes me around 2-3 minutes to take it off to the point we can get the car out. there is a few things I would suggest we using one and that is to put a soft indoor cover on the car, this is to just protect the car from the rubbing of the carcoon in high winds. but this is of course optional. hope that helps and thank you for watching. Liam
@paultubby6878
6 ай бұрын
@@rustenuts I’ve ordered one. Said 14 days back order. I’ve also got a good car cover which I will use as you suggest. Thanks for your thoughts and kind of excited and worried about putting it up without to much of upset between me and the wife !