mgb no go

[richardmorris]

Hello all, 

 

I've just had a call from a friend who can't get his mgb (rubber bumper) to fire.  If he's calling me he must be at a loss!

Anyway, it doesn't seem to have a spark at the plugs. Battery is charged and reading 12.95v and the starter spins over well. He is getting 10v from coil (new) positive to an earth and has measured coil + to - and got 2v (I'm not sure there's a point to that but never mind). 

 

Any ideas? Could it be the distributor? The car is immaculate and kept in a garage under a blanket. I'm going over this evening on my way home so a couple of pointers may be useful.

 

Thanks, 

Richard

[Junkman]

Is it still on points, or converted to breakerless?

[richardmorris]

Is it still on points, or converted to breakerless?

I think it's still on standard points.

[plasticvandan]

points have probably furred up/closed up

[richardmorris]

my mistake, apparently it's got electronic ignition.

[RichardMoss]

It could very well be a duff rotor arm - there are lots around. I had a Lucas one which was bad out of the box!

[Guest Breadvan72]

MGB?   KILL IT WITH FIRE.  Problem solved.

[richardmorris]

I wouldn't have one myself, and this one replaced a 2CV-Grrrr. He also has a Merc. 1988 300SE, and a 1971 220SEB coupe over in Kenya.

[Guest Breadvan72]

PHACKTS:  

 

Every time an MGB is laid up on SORN, a cute disabled kid gets a really nice puppy.

 

Every time an MGB is scrapped, the kid gets new legs and can walk. 

 

Assad says that he will step down and the war in Syria will end on the day when the last MGB goes in the bin.   Putin adds that he will give back the Crimea and marry his gay lover if all the hats and mugs go as well. 

 

MGB owners, you know what you have to do. 

[320touring]

PHACKTS:

 

Every time a Lancia is laid up on SORN, a cute disabled kid gets a really nice puppy.

 

Every time a Lancia is scrapped, the kid gets new legs and can walk.

 

Lancia owners, you know what you have to do.

EFA:)

[Guest Breadvan72]

Harsh, but fair.  At least Lancias have the good grace to scrap themselves.

[RedSparrow]

You just reminded me of all the associated tat that the MG OC flog.

http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/

 

My favourite is the 'Tapestry spectacles case'

[Guest Breadvan72]

http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/brand-new-clip-topgear-loves-lancia-part-2

[richardmorris]

Well the AA has been out to it and left scratching his head. Another "old school" aa man is coming tomorrow. He thinks it could be the electronic ignition, so matey is off to his MG garage to borrow a working one and see how that goes tomorrow.

[martybabes]

 

 

    mgb no go

 

Started by richardmorris, Today, 12:03 PM

 

 

 

Ah, that's good.  You got it going then, I see!  

[michael1703]

I'd say rotor arm for starters,then check leccy ignition

 

To rule out rotor arm,use very well insulated pliers and hold the distributor end of the king lead (the centre lead in the cap) away from the cap or an earth, there should be a blue spark from the end of the king lead, if you don't get a spark then its the trigger or the coil

[richardmorris]

Twas the electronic ignition   - two weeks out of warranty!

Fitted a replacement and it fired ok.

[Rusty Pelican]

What make was the leccy ignition ? Would be good to know so i can avoid them like the plague .

[Angrydicky]

Exactly why I don't fit electronic ignition. Heard too many stories of them failing just like the crap modern ignition components. Old school points and condenser for me, but they have to be NOS or ancient used ones.

[RichardMoss]

Exactly why I don't fit electronic ignition. Heard too many stories of them failing just like the crap modern ignition components. Old school points and condenser for me, but they have to be NOS or ancient used ones.

The Piranha system on my MGC has been running nicely since 1990. Mind you, I did have to reset the timing in 2005 but that was after removing the distributor to fix an oil leak.