My P5b wont start

[Deleted]

Hi all,

New to the club as new to my Rover P5b Coupe.I have had th car couple of months and it has started on the button every time, however in the past couple of weeks i left the car out in some of this horrid rain and it hasn't started since?! I have checked th earth and distributer cap, but must admit my technical skills are somewhat limited.


can you point me in the right direction?

many thanks

[Paul Harris]

Hi, and welcome to the club.

It's possible the rain may have been a coincidence.

The first things to check are whether there is a spark at the plugs, and is petrol getting to the carbs.

It's also worth checking that the choke is working (assuming you haven't got an AED)

Good Luck, and don't let the odd problem put you off owning one of these wonderful cars.

[Phil Nottingham]

After trying the above give the dizzy, leads and plugs a good spray with WD40 and then try without choke as it may have flooded. Remove a couple of plugs to see if wet. If they are remove the lot, dry them in a hot oven and turn engine over on starter without them in to blow out rich mixture. If you have an electric pump assuming its ticking disconnect it.

If you have an AED its worthwhile trying to start it with the intake pipe in the centre of the manifold removed and a cork or something stuffed into the manofold stub as these can cause flooding.

Avoid using those Easy Start aerosols as they become habit forming!

[Colin McA]

Is the engine turning over ?

Colin

[Deleted]

Thanks all for your help I will try these suggestions over the course of the next few days and will keep you all posted. all in all the cars in great condition. I will post some photo's.

Thanks

Nick

[RichardF]

Another couple of suggestions if not successful.
To check for spark, remove main HT lead from dizzy cap, also remove dizzy cap from dizzy. With ignition on and the loose main HT lead about 2mm from an earth source on the engine, flick the points with a small screw driver and see if you get a spark from the main HT lead; also check for a small spark at the points themselves. If a good spark at the HT lead, so far so good; If no spark at the points (and obviously no spark at HT lead), you can work backwards to the coil and then to the ignition switch looking for where the 12volt feed breaks.
For a quick fuel check for H6 SUs, I just fill the carb bowls with some petrol (it's only three screws on each carb); that way you know you have fuel to the carbs. If it starts and then stops after a while, you can suspect the fuel pump.
Good luck
Richard
Southampton