Non-Starting 1.6 Automatic

[Katana550]

Hello all,

Earlier today I picked up the 1.6 Automatic (A237 UAV - 06/1984) that Bob Townsend had advertised on this site and, although it needs a bloody good clean, it seems fine overall.

However, having driven it across Cambridge to get home I parked it and got on with some work on the VdP. After a couple of hours I started the A237 and, in reversing, stalled it. After this the car will not start!!! :banghead:

I have made sure that the battery is fully charged and a good spark is coming of the HT leads. All connections seem good and there is definite smell of petrol (presumably from initial flooding) around the engine bay but no apparent leaks. I left the car for a couple of hours but still no luck :rage: :confused:

I there anything else I need to check? I am assuming the fuel pump has given up the ghost. Where do I get a replacement and how much are they?

If I may, here's a few other questions:

1) Where can I get the trim strips for the front and rear bumpers? I presume these are chrome?

2) I need a rear parcel shelf - are these the same for all the Maestros (colour & material)?

3) The car has the basic steel wheels with small central plastic covers with the Austin Rover logo. Where can I get a couple of these?

4) Does anyone have experience (and recommendations) on how to clean the upholstery and plastics? Any known good products?

5) What would be the particular model designation for the car?

Thanks for the time

Tim

[tony]

is the engine turning over ,have you checked the fuel cut off behind the radio?

[D87 SMW]

Is it in Park whilst you are trying to start it? It may be possible that it will not start in another gear i.e. Drive.

Re the parcel shelf, I do believe you can get them in brown (MKI) and grey (MKII).

[Jonathan]

It won't have a fuel cut-off switch.

Parcel shelves came in a variety of flavours for the early cars, if yours is brown I have a spare but without the strings that attach it to the tailgate. Maria may have the wheel centres you're looking for too?

Model designation was simply "1.6 Automatic" and I think is based on the spec. of the 1.6L but with an auto 'box.

[Katana550]

Hello,

Thanks for the quick replies.

Yep, the car is definately in Park when I try to start it. The engine is turning over (pretty well I think) and it sounds as if it is trying to catch but just can't quite make it!!

Where exactly is the fuel cut-off switch and what does it look like?? I crawled around under the central console (from both sides) and could not find it. Do I actually have to remove the radio or should it be immediately visible?

The internal plastics of the car are actually blue-grey colour so what would be the correct parcel-shelf colour?

I am determined to get this bugger working:confused: :confused:

Thanks

Tim

[Katana550]

Well, I was so slow in writing that reply that it has became partly redundant already (but the rest still applies)!!!

So am I to assume that it is the fuel pump - If so surely I would have more notice than just sudden death?

Thanks

Tim

[H48HPE]

Cant you test it by pulling the fuel pipe off the carb, shove the end in a jar then get someone to crank the engine and see if any fuel comes through?

Just checked book and you should do the following:

disconnect the '+' lead at the coil and fuel hose at the carb, then crank engine.

If fuel comes from the hose you need to check the carb float or float needle.

But if no fuel comes out check for a faulty fuel filler, (i.e no air can get in through the filler/breather pipe, causing a vacuum)

fuel in the tank (obvious id say but could be a broken gauge?)

damaged fuel pipe,

or faulty fuel pump.

was engine the cold when you first stalled? if so it could be the auto choke playing up, wouldnt know how to check that though

HTH

Andy

[tony]

if you have just got it,is it worth ringing the guy you got it off and asking if he has had this problem before?
:cool:

[SimonR]

Originally posted by Katana550
[B]Hello all,
2) I need a rear parcel shelf - are these the same for all the Maestros (colour & material)?


This is a Mk. 1 Maestro so I'm guessing it's not got the grey interior that the mk. 2s had...? The Parcel shelf would have been the same colour as the interior, MaestroMatt's and my father's VP are brown, mine is blue. Brand new grey parcel shelves are available from Ledbury, I have a spare grey one (F153' original) but you'll probably be best off at a scrappo if you're not planning a trip to Ledbury! If you want another trip to Cambers you can have F153's old one which is in above average condition, if a little faded.


4) Does anyone have experience (and recommendations) on how to clean the upholstery and plastics? Any known good products?


Yeah, I bought a can of upholstery cleaner from Tescos (of all places!) it's a foam that you spray on and then vacuum/brush off when dry, it was very effective on A335's light blue interior. I also bought from Rover a squeezy bottle of dashboard shine which was very effective at cleaning a mk. 1 dash. If you're interested I'll get you more detail by reading the bottle later on today. Get the matt dashboard shine and you'll not get excessive glare if the sun ever shines.


5) What would be the particular model designation for the car?


I guess that unless it says otherwise it's a 1.6 L. Btw, if the fuel pump is dead then R-Series FPs often come up on eBay - Maestro matt and I got one each in the past month or so.

Lets see a few pics!

Simon R.

[Wonko_The_Sane]

From one auto owner to another-if it's spinning and reeking of fuel, thwack the :censored: out of the carb.

Mine got a stuck damper, and flooded itself all to hell. Everything fine, petrol smell, but no go. The RAC man pulled out the dashpot all the way and told me to turn it over-it went fine. Apparently "quite a common problem mate".

At least turning over rules out the inhibitor circuit. For what it's worth, I would doubt a fuel pump fault-it wouldn't just go suddenly. Mine ran fine 2 days ago, when I popped the bonnet to find out why it smelled of fuel, the pump was spurting everwhere from it's housing. Needless to say I shut it off and bought a new pump (£18!).

I'll fit that this weekend..:)

Try removing the carb dashpot and doing a thorough clean with carb spray. Works wonders..:)

[Wonko_The_Sane]

Oh, and having owned a C reg 1.6 Auto, and an H reg 1.6LX, I can say that the "C" Auto was a base..manual everything, black mirrors..but mine had HLS Chrome handles...Needless to say the LX has them now..:)

[G Force]

hello there, as for your not starting I also think that it is unlikely to be a fuel pump problem and would definitely give the trick where the dash pot piston is raised whilst trying to start the engine. This usually works if the engine is flooded for some reason.

cheers Gary;)

[Katana550]

Well, would you believe it:D

I thought I would do some more basic checking and went through everythings again and the only problem was ...

... NO oil in the carb' dashpot:mad:

Topped up the oil (which probably also moved the internals a bit) and ...

started first turn of the key:D :D :D

Right, so now the clean up starts:(

The whole car is in generally excellent condition but needs a SERIOUS clean.

The only problem I can find so far is that the front passenger door rubs on the A post (at about the position of the trim strip) when the door is opened - anyone know how I can reset the position of the door - I can find no bodywork damage that could be causing this.

I must also put out an appeal for the correct blue colour parcel shelf for the car - does anyone have a spare or know where I can get one?

Thanks for all the replies as I think cleaning the car will be the biggest job.

Interestingly; it has the chrome style wing mirrors and chrome door handles; but the rest of the spec' is very basic. No sunroof, manual everything and those horrible plastic headrests with the hole in the middle.

Tim