Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Is it a whine or a screech? Screech would be a slipping belt. While could be a knackered bearing inside the alternator causing it to fail.

Tried poking a multimeter at it? The fact that it runs shows that it's getting some electricity but possibly not enough

So driving my mini today (998c stage 1) and when approaching traffic lights or stop suddenly, when the clutch is applied the car stalls. Is it that the carbs are tuned properly and just starving the engine? its not that pressing an issue just curious about whats causing it. (solved with having the choke slightly out all the time/heel n toeing on downshitfs)

what carb? Early SU (HS4) carb? screw the big nut on the jet (under the body) up a tiny bit to raise the fuel level
A common enough problem with them
If that doesn't sort it try a slightly richer needle, but once you start with that you will be messing about forever

what carb? Early SU (HS4) carb? screw the big nut on the jet (under the body) up a tiny bit to raise the fuel level
A common enough problem with them
If that doesn't sort it try a slightly richer needle, but once you start with that you will be messing about forever

Im not exactly sure what carb it is, 1986 red hot model. Its already running quite rich I think as it crackles and pops on the over run but that might be due to it having a straight through exhaust

Is it a whine or a screech? Screech would be a slipping belt. While could be a knackered bearing inside the alternator causing it to fail.

Tried poking a multimeter at it? The fact that it runs shows that it's getting some electricity but possibly not enough

It's a whine, not a slipping belt, know that noise!

Kinda bad electrical burny smell from the area when the engine is running and the noise is happening.

Seems like sometimes when you start it it makes the noise but then if you stop and restart it'll not make it.

Vandal.
First of all, get a new battery. Your old one is too dead to hold a charge.
Secondly, if this is the Punto with the 'girlie button' electric power steering, in this car it is not designed to be switched on constantly, only for parking. It is known to fail if left on constantly. I am told the Punto has really light steering anyway. If the warning light doesn't come on its a charging failure, which sounds likely.

If the alternator belt is slipping you should see it looking knackered and worn. If the bearings are failing, the belt may look fine. Use a stethoscope, or improvise something out of a long screwdriver to listen for grumbly bearings in the alternator.

V-L
There's no reason using the clutch should make an engine cut out, so I'm guessing its either a mechanical or electrical issue caused by pushing the pedal to the floor. Perhaps the pedal, perhaps the linkage. You are shorting something out, maybe, or something is physically moving just enough to cause a problem. Maybe there is some perished rubber which gets pulled or pushed and you get an air leak, or a lever which floods the engine?

It's got the girlie button aye but I think in all the time I've had the car I've used it about twice, and one of those times was when I smashed my shoulder up.

Can't say as I've ever really tried steering the car with the ignition off before so dunno if how it is now is the usual unpowered steering feel or what but it's now very very difficult to steer.

I think if it was just the battery I'd replace it but I've spent £200 to get it through MOT last November, another £200 on the sump and oil, filter etc just a month or so ago and now looking at more parts needed so I think it's destined for the scrappy.

The parking assistance button increased the amount of power that the system deployed- but it does not turn it on or off. The system is speed sensitive though, and does turn off above a speed which I cannot remember.

As it is only a punto I would be at the "throw it away and get another" stage too.
And yes, steering is really heavy if a car isn't actually rolling.
I don't know how much a new battery is, but that, plus a recon alternator, or. One from a scrappy should leave you with change from £150

Read this, before making a decision
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=96506
It seems to be a common problem.

As it is only a punto I would be at the "throw it away and get another" stage too.
And yes, steering is really heavy if a car isn't actually rolling.
I don't know how much a new battery is, but that, plus a recon alternator, or. One from a scrappy should leave you with change from £150

Ebay prices for a new battery seemed to be about £50-80.

It's getting to the point where Ithink if Ifix this it's only going to be a few weeks/months untill something else breaks.

Why aren't cars simple like bikes?

It's easy to tweak the idle speed on SU carbs just follow the throttle cable to the carb and tighten the screw above the cable which would probably stop it stalling (my mini idled lower with the clutch in compared to out of gear so not unusual for it to stall if the idle speed was already low).

Lots of "stage 1" mini's have mixture problems, generally if the inlet and exhaust manifold has been changed as well as swapping the air filter then you will need a new carb needle, they don't come in the kits though so most people just run rich to compensate for the increased airflow, check out http://www.winsu.co.uk/ looks like you have to pay for needle recommendations now but still helpful.

It's easy to tweak the idle speed on SU carbs just follow the throttle cable to the carb and tighten the screw above the cable which would probably stop it stalling (my mini idled lower with the clutch in compared to out of gear so not unusual for it to stall if the idle speed was already low).

common on a b series, too. aging thrust washers, apparently.
crank the idle up a bit and drive it!

Yep, was alright this morning, giving the throttle a big blip on the downshifts sorts it out! Idle is a tad low anyway so will adjust the idle

If it is the same as mine, it is at its worst when it's warmer than usual.

Well it was pretty bad after 120 miles driven yesterday non stop

My mechanic used to hate my mini, partly because he was Italian and had a couple of Fiat 500's which he believed superior but mostly because because my inept tinkering would result in his garage stinking of unburnt fuel every time I came in... a new carb needle made a world of difference, no stalling, no spluttering at low RPM or bogging down at full throttle. Probably even had more power than stock...definitely worth looking into!

I'd recommend getting it tuned up properly on a RR. It will run so much sweeter. I know a really good guy in Colchester. Best carb tuner going.

It'll probably end up more efficient too.

Definitely, my old classic used to guzzle fuel until it was tuned properly. More efficient, better running, easier starting, quicker, and smoother. There's no reason to shy away from having a RR tune. It's worth doing it once a year, like a service.

NH, can you pm me his details? How much did it cost ya a visit?

actually colchester......

anything similar in london?

Minispeed (01932 400 567) in Byfleet are good (not London but inside the M25 at least) and they have a rolling road, not sure of the price (guessing £50-100 per session) but they might give you some advice over the phone re: needle choices for your set up; 998 stage 1 is pretty common so should be able to get it close enough.

Thanks mate! and what a well chosen username for this problem :P

Also another problem if you guys would know how to sort? Before I left from nottingham I filled the car up from half which cost £25 (premium). About 60 miles into the trip the fuel gauge read empty. I crawled 10 miles to the next station where I proceded to fill it up with more petrol (premium). Brimming it cost £15 and the fuel was more expensive there!! Is the gauge broke?

Yeah Colchester is a trek from West London. Minispeed should do you OK, they've got a lot of parts there too, they're one of the big parts retailers. Should cost you about £60, any more and you're getting ripped off considering it's bread and butter for them. It's not like you're setting up twin Nikki side drafts on a 1380 forged build.