My 2000TC 'Minstrel' needs a lot of TLC..

A misfire on idle and then coming on to all cylinders as the revs rise is often a symptom of tight valve clearances, but you need to determine whether it is actually running on all 4 cylinders at any time.
 
I guess that it was running ok and has developed the fault with use?

Do you have a colour tune? I would stick one on amd see if there was an issue.

It is easy to get some plug leads mixed up when fault finding.

What type of plugs have you got in the car?
 
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Hi guys. Hope all is good out there. Sorry for lack of communication. Not done too much to Minstrel in the last 3 months other than starting her one a week to keep her flowing. Have not sorted the misfire as I have bought another engine for her. Have bought a 2200 for £60 for her.
Thought I would let you all know about a little problem I had on Saturday with her. I went out and started her up after putting the battery back on. She started after a couple of turns with no worries. Exhaust blowing like hell again but that's an easy fix. Anyway back to the tale. I ran her for about 10 mins just to warm her up then turned her off and removed the ignition key. I went to the workshop for something the next thing I hear is my wife screaming the car is on fire! I ran out and had a look, lifted the bonnet and there were flames near the alternator. I doused the fire, took the battery off and found out what had caused the fire. The leads going into the alternator must have been worn or something as they had shorted out and the sleeving was on fire. The plastic casing on the alternator was burnt away and the wires to the alternator were bare. I took the alternator off and photographEd it and the wires. I don't know why it happened as when I started the car last week it was fine. In one way it has given me another reason to do the rewire. When I can get her back on my drive (got Scenic II I am working on at moment on there) I am going to pull the engine out and do the rewire before I put the new engine in. I would love to have some input from you guys about the burn out. Will attach photos later today.
 
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Further to my last post. I have a idea I may have connected the battery the wrong way round. I didn't put the original battery back on, but put a newer one on. I assumed without looking that the terminals were the same. If this is the case I can now see why it burnt out. Hopefully I won't do that again! I feel a right prat doing that. I know some people say it is easily done, but considering I have worked on cars for nearly 50 odd years I should have been more observant. Doesn't matter what my excuse for doing it is I should not have done it!
 
Stephen Ward said:
Further to my last post. I have a idea I may have connected the battery the wrong way round. I didn't put the original battery back on, but put a newer one on. I assumed without looking that the terminals were the same. If this is the case I can now see why it burnt out. Hopefully I won't do that again! I feel a right prat doing that. I know some people say it is easily done, but considering I have worked on cars for nearly 50 odd years I should have been more observant. Doesn't matter what my excuse for doing it is I should not have done it!
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On battery's, one terminal is a smaller diameter than the other, just for the reason to stop the wrong clamp being attached to the post! so how did you mange to get them the wrong way around? did you hammer them on.o_O
Peter
 
The terminals on my cables are pretty stretched which probably why I gave it no thought of putting them on wrong. Like a lot on my car they really need renewing. Thanks for your comment though.
 
Hi Guys
Once again many thanks to all those who helped me in the last couple of days to get Minstrel started again after my stupid mishap. I noticed today that Minstrel's exhaust is blowing badly. I know it was blowing before but it seems to have worsened over the last couple of months. I bought a bandage as I could see where I had put a repair bandage before was where it was blowing....or so I thought! The only reason the bandage is on there is because the centre stainless section is a larger diameter than the downpipe. It was like that when I bought the car. I took the downpipe and the centre section off. I repaired the existing bandage with a new one and started to clean up the exhaust before replacing it. in the process of cleaning it I noticed some pinprick holes near the mounting plate. As I was cleaning them up they were getting bigger. (see attached pics). Although I am capable of welding, I think this downpipe is too far gone to try to repair it by welding or at least I won't try to arc welding it. My mig welder has gone tits up!. The question I would like to ask is...does anyone have or know anyone who has a single downpipe for a S2 P6 2000SC for sale, please? Many thanks in advance......Steve



 
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I would be tempted to try epoxy putty on it.

Handy for all sorts of things, £5 ish a stick is worth a punt til you find a replacement.
 
Quick update on exhaust. I have used some aluminium putty to fill the holes. And I sealed off the leaking bandage with a new one. Put the exhaust back on today. Minstrel started first time. Lo and behold........no blows or leaks! So chuffed with that! ENGINE seemed to be running high yesterday so checked the timing. It was out a little bit so adjusted the dizzy to set the timing Nd got her running fine. Started her up again this afternoon and after releasing the choke notices she was running on very low revs. So got my tachostrobe out again to check the timing. Set it alĺ up only to find out my timing light has packed up!! Only used it yesterday and it was fine. So I just adjusted the dizzy and now she is running to. Sorted the lights and put the bits back I took off to do the wiring. All ready for Raly Season now. Roll on Walmer Road and Strumpshall. Missed Earsham Hall last Sunday.
Many thanks to everyone who gave me very helpful advice. Hope to possibly meet some of you at one of our local rallies.
 
I
arthuy said:
I would be tempted to try epoxy putty on it.

Handy for all sorts of things, £5 ish a stick is worth a punt til you find a replacement.
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Thanks for your help, m8. Have ordered some, but have repaired exhaust. Read my update, Colin. You will see what I done.
 
Stephen Ward said:
I

Thanks for your help, m8. Have ordered some, but have repaired exhaust. Read my update, Colin. You will see what I done.
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I think they are the same type of thing, it is handy stuff. I try and keep a stick of it for repairs, actually rebuilt a set of hair straighteners my sister sat on. they lasted years.

Good to see you are still tinkering away with the car, I really need to get into mine, it is always inspiring when I read other owners stories.
 
arthuy said:
I think they are the same type of thing, it is handy stuff. I try and keep a stick of it for repairs, actually rebuilt a set of hair straighteners my sister sat on. they lasted years.

Good to see you are still tinkering away with the car, I really need to get into mine, it is always inspiring when I read other owners stories.
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You really need to get out there and sort it, m8. Now we have good weather I am making the best of it. Lol.
 
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