Cold, rainy day... sudden "non-startness" after sitting overnight... been
there. In my case it was the distributor cap & rotor. How old is it?
Can't really tell much by looking at it. But my pal checked it out, said
"replace 'em", I did, and it started right up. He used to drive a TR-4 up
in Eugene, Oregon, so he knows about dampness issues.
In my case I have an Allison unit, so no points, but if you are running
points, better check them as well. At any rate, I wouldn't think it's
anything seriously wrong, just one of those "find the weak link" problems
(which is the problem in itself). Good luck.
Mike Lishego had this to say:
>Hello all,
> Well, I said I'd be back when I had problems, and here I am...
>
>On Wednesday, I went out to my car and drove it to school, to the
>store, and back to my dorm room (1974 MGB). I parked the car and
>went inside. Thursday morning, the car would turn over but wouldn't
>start. As a matter of fact, it didn't even TRY to start. It was
>cold and rainy, but I did a cursory check of connections and fuses
>anyway - no problems there.
>
>I went out today to see what was going on. I checked my electronic
>ignition by pulling the plugs one by one and watching for a spark.
>All were fine. I checked my rotor and cap, and they looked OK too.
>Once again, the two center plugs were slightly rich, while the
>cylinders 1 & 4 were normal to lean looking.
>
>While I was cranking the engine, I noticed that a burst of air and
>fuel would blow out of each spark plug hole except #1. Thinking
>that this might be the problem, I checked for fuel at the carbs -
>the fuel pump was still doing it's job. I beat on the body of carb
>#1 to see of the needle valves were stuck, but nothing happened so I
>beat on #2 for good measure, with no luck.
>
>I thought my valves could be out of adjustment, even though I
>checked them about a month ago. They all looked OK too.
>
>So, what would cause my car to run well one day, then not start the
>next morning? Could it be the temperature extreme?
>
>My next step is to tune the carbs from square one. I haven't messed
>with them in a few months, so they shouldn't be the problem. If
>that won't work, I'm going to have to get my parents to rent a tow
>dolly to tow my car home when they come down to watch me graduate.
>trust me, I could think of nothing more insulting, although the
>thought of getting a newer car has run across my mind...Talk me out
>of it!
>
>
>Michael S. Lishego
>http://www.mgb.bc.ca/virtualgarage/
>
>
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
Runs great,
looks particularly bad since some SUV clown backed into it.
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
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