340 1.4 rough ans slow idling

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Two340'sman

No, not put meths in yet. Will get the tank a bit emptier first. Will be doing a few miles tomorrow, then perhaps over the weekend will pump some more out of the tank. I have a little electric pump for this, about thee years ago I filled with diesel by mistake!

Good idea pumping it out! If you can, put it in a clear container to settle, you'll see the condensation/water at the bottom if you happen to pump any out from the bottom of the tank.

[Two340'sman]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

Good idea pumping it out! If you can, put it in a clear container to settle, you'll see the condensation/water at the bottom if you happen to pump any out from the bottom of the tank.

Three years ago when I pumped out the diesel. I just disconnected the feed pipe to the carb, and connected the electric fuel pump to that. I need to find some empty cans though!

Just noticed another error of mine, I'm registered here under two names, this one and 340man.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Two340'sman

Three years ago when I pumped out the diesel. I just disconnected the feed pipe to the carb, and connected the electric fuel pump to that. I need to find some empty cans though!

Just noticed another error of mine, I'm registered here under two names, this one and 340man.

What about a 25L tub from somewhere? Many places that use clear plastic 25L tubs are happy to let one go free or for tuppence ha'penny and a brass farthing.

Pumping from the carb feed pipe would also mean you're pumping from the bottom of the tank so likely to get a lot of the condensation - could be why when you did similar and got the engine started you pulled through some petrol instead of condensation.

[Two340'sman]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

Good idea pumping it out! If you can, put it in a clear container to settle, you'll see the condensation/water at the bottom if you happen to pump any out from the bottom of the tank.

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

What about a 25L tub from somewhere? Many places that use clear plastic 25L tubs are happy to let one go free or for tuppence ha'penny and a brass farthing.

Pumping from the carb feed pipe would also mean you're pumping from the bottom of the tank so likely to get a lot of the condensation - could be why when you did similar and got the engine started you pulled through some petrol instead of condensation.

The large clear container would have to be petrol resistant of course. What I'll probably do is run the car a bit tomorrow, may put in a new set of plugs, over the weekend get a 5 gallon jerrycan from a friend and pump out a lot.

This is the pump I bought three years ago, works fine, just a bit noisy.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363392093855

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Two340'sman

The large clear container would have to be petrol resistant of course. What I'll probably do is run the car a bit tomorrow, may put in a new set of plugs, over the weekend get a 5 gallon jerrycan from a friend and pump out a lot.

This is the pump I bought three years ago, works fine, just a bit noisy.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363392093855

That's true about the container but most PVC and similar containers will hold petrol for a sensible amount of time.

I'd hold on putting new plugs in until you solve the petrol problem or at least have got the meths in the tank and driven it a bit. Simple reason being, a new plug might be faulty - it's rare but not unknown - you may have cleared the fault but by fitting the new, faulty plug have unwittingly created another with similar symptoms.

[Two340'sman]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

That's true about the container but most PVC and similar containers will hold petrol for a sensible amount of time.

I'd hold on putting new plugs in until you solve the petrol problem or at least have got the meths in the tank and driven it a bit. Simple reason being, a new plug might be faulty - it's rare but not unknown - you may have cleared the fault but by fitting the new, faulty plug have unwittingly created another with similar symptoms.

Yes, one change at a time. I had read that a faulty/dirty plug could cause bad idle.

Years ago with my 1100cc Classic Mini, I ran it for decades on Champion plugs, just for a change went to a set of Bosch plugs, immediately a bit of insulator fell off the plug. Amazingly engine was still OK after this. I still have the 1962 Mini (bought it in 1968) and put in a Morris 1100 engine, modified with 12G295 head, duplex timing gears and a single 1 1/2" SU, 3.44 final drive.

The car would easily exceed 100 MPH, still have the Mini.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Two340'sman

Yes, one change at a time. I had read that a faulty/dirty plug could cause bad idle.

Years ago with my 1100cc Classic Mini, I ran it for decades on Champion plugs, just for a change went to a set of Bosch plugs, immediately a bit of insulator fell off the plug. Amazingly engine was still OK after this. I still have the 1962 Mini (bought it in 1968) and put in a Morris 1100 engine, modified with 12G295 head, duplex timing gears and a single 1 1/2" SU, 3.44 final drive.

The car would easily exceed 100 MPH, still have the Mini.

That was sheer bad luck with the insulator on the Bosch plug - chances are it had been dropped in the shop or somewhere between manufacture and purchase at least.
I had a set of Champion plugs once, lasted about 70 miles. Never again! Also known so many of them misfire from new in others cars that i wouldn't dream of fitting them to anything i owned except in an emergncy - which was why the set i had for 70 miles were fitted.

These days i only use and recommend NGK plugs, had a few "less than good" experiences with Bosch plugs and since i've discovered Honda PGM-Fi and its intricacies, have come to the conclusion that Bosch Jetronic and Motronic isn't as good as it's made out to be!

Sounds like some very useful mods on your Mini (a proper Mini, unlike the new one!), Minis aren't my thing (i find the driving position uncomfortbale) but if i had one i'd be tempted to do very similar but with the 1275cc lump rather than the 1098 and either a twin sequential choke Weber (32/34DMTL or similar) or a pair of 1 1/4 SUs, LCB manifold and a slightly sporty sounding stainless exhaust system.