We have imported a prestine '91 ERA Turbo from Japan and she's decided to not leave the driveway what ever we do .... can anyone help us out please

When we first received the car, it ran fine but extremely rich. black soot and headaches were common. We did not drive it much at all though .... maybe 50KM total as we waited for better weather.

It sat outside on the driveway for about one week. The car acts like it is flooded and I pulled the plugs, cleaned them off as they did smell of gas. Next day I came out and she fired right up so I took her for a good run and she ran great ... good turbo spool .... no hesitation and turned off just fine back on the driveway. Not 1/2 hour later I came out to start her again and she just cranked but never cought. I tried today and she started right up and quickly died. Now she just cranks again.

We live in Calgary, Canada which is over 1000ft above sea level.

Does anyone have any ideas? She too cute to smack around so I'm still in good spirits but getting a little frustrated.

 

Guess I would first go to fuel. . . I spent a week trying to troubleshoot a problem like yours (not on a Mini), only to realize that I was very low on fuel, and the slope of the driveway let the fuel move away from the pick up....So now, I always check fuel first. Next, fuel pump and filter.

 

At least minis are easy to push start .... But joking aside I had a similar problem with Margaret and she had a defective starter motor/broken solenoid switch.
If you looking for an expert in the city I can not say enough great things about Mick at British Cars International. He's up on 32nd. He is a really great guy and a fantastic mechanic. I drove my mini home from his shop during that crazy snowstorm a couple of weeks ago (most terrifying experience of my life) and he phoned the next day to make sure that I made it home alright and that the car was running well.

 

is the starter in good condition? I like maxfieldmini's idea

 

Thanks for these ideas mates!

Starter is in good shape and the tank is full of fuel. Fuel pump never sounds like it is not working. It's rather loud. Fuel filter sounds like a good thing to replace but should not starve the car intermitantly should it?

I was thinking maybe fuel is coating the spark plugs and stalling the car out?

 

I think she is just upset that she is not getting the proper exposure by having her picture posted here.

Hope you got this worked out but I would would start with the fuel filter as well. Also sounds like it could be electrical...

 

I have brought her in to Auto Mann in Calgary who had helped with an E-code windshield and spec camber arms to pass inspection. (Malcom .... very nice and honest fellow)

He was thinking it was an electrical issue too ... maybe the ignition signal is getting lost once the key goes into "on" after you crank it over in "start". Anyways, I'll update you guys when we know more.



I've got more photos on my website at:
http://www.zenautoworks.ca/Current%2...s/MINI_ERA.htm

 

Very nice looking car! All the more reason to get the gremlins worked out!

 

Spark
Fuel
Compression

When the car cranks but won't start check them in this order. You have lots of fuel from the sound of it. What about spark?
Could it be a bad plug lead? When you pulled the plugs to clean them and check for fuel the first time maybe the plug wires made a good connection on reinstallation.

Check your spark

 

Dam that Mini is hot! A rare and sexy beast....

BTW, sounds like ignition issues or overfueling. Have a fuel pressure regulator? Doesn't the turbo add fuel via injectors? Is the control/sensor for that wonky?

 

Thanks fellas

I'm not a mini mechanic by any stretch. I've only swapped out to new plugs, did check that each lead was sparking, and adjusted the mixture screw a bit to lean things out.

.... hoping the expert can find a fix. The car runs like new when it did run so I'm sure it's a small thing. Hmmmm

 

did you also check your points in you dizzy?
Tamer

 

I've seen more than a few cars with incorrectly wired ignition switches. The coil needs 12V both when in IGN and in START, otherwise the engine will not start. Typically this is seen when you crank and crank and crank the starter, only to find that it occasionally starts when you release the starter switch (so that the engine is turning and the coil then has power). If the coil is only powered when in IGN and not START you will have this issue.

Although it doesn't sound like your problem, it's a relatively easy fix as well as easy to determine. Simply disconnect the starter from the starter solenoid and have a friend cycle the key from IGN to START and back to IGN. If the COIL+ (at the coil) only has power when in IGN, then that's a problem. Again, probably not yours but I thought I would suggest anyway.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

Very nice! Hope to see you around town.

 

My Mini died on me immediately after turning a corner on the way to work one morning. It turned out that one of the spade connectors onto the coil was loose due to age and slid off. The car happily cranked and had fuel but wouldn't start. I reconnected the wire to the coil and it started 1st go. I've since replaced the spade connector.

 

Hi ERA wide body,

I feel your pain... I currently have in my possession an Japanese Spec ERA and am currently sorting very similar symptoms. If you send me an e-mail I can forward you documentation for ERA enthusiasts which will help you trouble shoot your problem. FYI- There is a fuel regulator that has been know to malfunction, very difficult to find and replacement. But alas there is a work around in case that is the culprit. Be happy to share this info with you.

 

Hi all .... wow, what a friendly group. I do appreciate every ones input on this issue.

It was a very simple problem and I'm not in on all the details until I pick up the car this Friday. Short answer is a wire leading to the fuel pump was not hooked on properly. I hear the little $#!@ starts just fine and runs like a charm. I leaned out the fuel by hand a week ago and am told I did a bang up job. Happy Happy

reycer, I'm sending you a PM.

 

btw Reycer,I think you should share a photo or two if you have them!

 

+1

You guys have any idea how many ERA's were made? I was under the impression that they are quite rare.

 

I've read 99 UK spec and 337 Japan spec ERAs were built.

Biggest difference being the UK cars had a sunroof and the *** cars traded the sunroof for A/C.

 

glad to hear that you got it sorted out!