austin metro Vanden plas automatic....viewing today

[RobT]

That looks GR9 and a potential minter, easily £1,200-1500s worth cleaned up with full MoT, not that it needs much based on the photos. This will have metric tyres which are becoming scarce, but as others have said parts aren't really a problem.

[Alexg]

That Metty is smoking, nice work

[HillmanImp]

My ex had a car just like that I think. From the same area too being a Brighton car on an NJ plate.

[Angrydicky]

That does look very clean, congratulations on your purchase! 

 

If my experiences with the Maestro have taught me one thing, it's to look for the least rotten example you can find as prices are still relatively low. I made the mistake of buying a car that was starting to rot and after another four years of use it needed a fair bit of welding. All sorted now though.

[Micrashed]

Distributer will likely be a Lucas part, though Ducellier were also fitted to some examples. Not that expensive if borked to fit a second hand or recon unit.

[Rusty_Rocket]

Dizzy should be the later electronic type.  They don't really go wrong at all- worst case scenario is the module on the side, which is still available new for £30 from Minispares.  Never known one to fail though, tbh.

Give it a new cap 'n rotor for good measure though

[wuvvum]

SFQ, am I correct in understanding that if you select gear 2, it will only select second and not do 1 & 2?

Yup.  The one I bought from auction for a fiver back in 2001 had no first gear - I had to stick it in 2 to pull away, then shove it back into D once it was rolling.  Given that these aren't exactly quick off the mark even with a full complement of working gears, it made pulling out onto busy roundabouts interesting to say the least.

[twosmoke300]

Why isn't this a collection thread yet ?

[bub2006]

Not collected it yet as the bike knackered up last night. Due to mot etc needed on metro and insurance being high it will stay where it is till after Christmas now. Only 4 mile up the road too so no petrol shots or train station pictures.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

These auto box a-series engines are SHITE, I would defo suggest driving one before buying if poss. I drove a 998 mini auto once and it was easily the most terrible driving experience I've ever had. Maybe a 1275 is a bit better.

[bub2006]

What didn't you like about it mr B? Too underpowered or something else?

[Timewaster]

I was always lead to believe that a mini auto will bounce a foot in the air with every gear change. Never tried one though.

That auto box must be from the sixties when autos were for jags,rovers and the elderly.

[oman5]

If my vdp auto metro was representative of the type, then they're not what you could call exactly quick, the accelerator being more like a volume control. I don't remember it being particularly harsh when changing gear unless you were seriously ragging it.

Just accept it's limitations and it'll be fine. If not, flog it on for a profit, it's tidy enough.

[bub2006]

We already got A large car,Vectra on a 53 plate and I got the bike. Only want a little car for arsing around in for work etc. This popped up plus its got the advantage of being an auto which I prefer. Don't want something for tool in up the motorway in as the Vectra will be used.

[Guest Lord Sward]

Those auto boxes are as smooth as silk when working right.  

[meshking]

That's lovely, and it's not often I say that about metros. Did they all come in that colour?

[babydriver]

When my Mrs had a 998 Mini auto you could not wipe the smile from my face when driving it, picked it up from Blackpool and the 45 mile ride home on the motorway was amazing fun, never knew lorry wheel nuts were so attractive at 60mph!  

[Mr_Bo11ox]

The one i drove might have been knackered then, it was very indecisive about what gear it wanted, changed gear with a right thump and felt like it was gonna blow itself to bits at 50mph, something like 8mph/1000rpm in top

[Sigmund Fraud]

When my Mrs had a 998 Mini auto you could not wipe the smile from my face when driving it,

 

Really ? I fail to see how an automatic a-series can make anyone smile, unless fitted to a Stimson Scorcher !

[Rocket88]

My mum had a one of these from new.............................economy was not it's strong suit, although quite a nice place to be amongst bits of dead cow and timber. Also seem to remeber that manual chokes and automatic gearboxes are not a marriage made in heaven............... 

[Guest Lord Sward]

They were lovely things to just bumble about in.  They should be smooth, slow, but torquey.  We once gave one away with the sale of a Rover 820SLi auto saloon.

 

As for autos and manual chokes, try a CVT with a knackered carb and a manual choke.  Talk abut bogging down when you go to pull out of a junction.  

[Stroller133]

Yup. The one I bought from auction for a fiver back in 2001 had no first gear - I had to stick it in 2 to pull away, then shove it back into D once it was rolling. Given that these aren't exactly quick off the mark even with a full complement of working gears, it made pulling out onto busy roundabouts interesting to say the least.

I had a mini where 1st didn't work - I'd put a stage 1 kit on it which made it a bit better pulling away. I went to a mini show one Sunday, vineyards near Dudley I think, and when driving in on a grass track had to stop on a bit of a hill. Once we paid the car wouldn't move, had my foot to the floor for about 20 seconds which just held it level, but gradually it started moving, luckily. Later that same day I blew a valve (or broke a valve spring?), I was driving on a fast a-road and it would not change into 4th, it was too late when I realised I was locked into 3rd! I got an indicated 68mph before it lost power - I managed to limp 4 miles home at about 25mph but once I stopped the engine it would not start again.

[bub2006]

Right quick update on this. After a good going over the car this afternoon I have found a really tiny hole on a sill which I didn't notice before. About 2pence size under rear door and it turns over but wont fire. Dizzy cap is a swine to access so called it quits for today. On the next day off work I will get the carb stripped and cleaned and the dizzy cleaned. It has a spark but still think its a bit weak and perhaps trying to fire stale fuel. The overall condition of the car though is not too bad at all for the price. Not sure if the sill may need a tickle but its not near a seatbelt mount or structure so unsure. Any other ideas on getting the old girl to fire are greatly welcome or any tips or tricks.

[mouseflakes]

I had a mini where 1st didn't work - I'd put a stage 1 kit on it which made it a bit better pulling away. I went to a mini show one Sunday, vineyards near Dudley I think, and when driving in on a grass track had to stop on a bit of a hill. Once we paid the car wouldn't move, had my foot to the floor for about 20 seconds which just held it level, but gradually it started moving, luckily. Later that same day I blew a valve (or broke a valve spring?), I was driving on a fast a-road and it would not change into 4th, it was too late when I realised I was locked into 3rd! I got an indicated 68mph before it lost power - I managed to limp 4 miles home at about 25mph but once I stopped the engine it would not start again.

That story just gets sadder and sadder. I was hoping for a happy ending, but now I'm just going to bed. I'll probably cry a bit as I climb the stairs.

[Timewaster]

First check for a non starting auto should be the inhibitor switch on the selector - no?

 

Haven't read the whole thread lately. Maybe you did that already.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Its turning over on the starter, so no probs with the inhibitor switch

[bub2006]

It turns over fine just no fire. Distributor cap is a pain in the arse to remove and work meant I had to down tools.

[xtriple]

Take the dizzy out completely, only way to work on those things in Minis or Metros. If you take the grill off it should give you a bit more room. If you don't undo the pinch bolt and just undo the bolt into the block it shouldn't balls up the timing.

 

Ince you are sure the points etc are all good, it should fire up after a bit of churning - mine used to be a bugger to start if it hadn't been started for a month or two (garage Queen) as the fuel evaporated and it took ages for the pump to refill it. You could use easy start/carb cleaner into the inlet as an aid....

[bub2006]

No points on this,electronic ignition I believe xtriple. Tried taking cap off,don't help the fact its got screws and not clips. I heard some bad press regards using was start though? Some fresh fuel down carb maybe?

[RobT]

My Metro had sat for ages when I bought it and giving the points a clean and adjustment got it fired up, so it's worth giving that a go before buggering about with the carb. One easy thing to check is the level of oil in the dash pot. Not sure if it affects the actual starting but a dab of engine oil is needed in there.

 

Edit: cross post, ignore the above about points then!