I asked this question on a mini-forum as it was engine related but ive been thinking that it may well be worth asking you guys too incase someone has experienced it!

I got the car started in the summer and it sounds healthy. However, it spits petrol/flames every few secs.

Here's a video of it (no flames in this one unfortunately!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dp3SNaBa6k

Every time it coughs, the revs drop a bit, i can keep it running by revving it, otherwise it gets lower and lower with every cough and then cuts out.

Anyone got any thoughts on this? It's a 1250 GT according to the engine number, its got a mechanical fuel pump.

1250 is a bit of an odd size.

Flames out of the exhaust suggest it's running very rich if there's enough fuel left to ignite. Running very rich would also cause it to stall if left - what sort of colour are the plugs?
It could also mean there is a cylinder not firing - that cylinder wouldn't be burning the petrol that it draws in and therefore pump it straight into the exhaust.

Iain

Sorry, i lie, its 1275GT.

If it was one cylinder not firing would it be more regular? Like spitting on every 4th stroke or could it be more random as it seems? The mini guys suggested timing being out, but again, i wouldve expected that it would be more regular, im considering getting a timing light but if its not likely then i'd rather spend £20 on something more useful

The plugs are new and the ones i took out were newish too but they came with the car and it wouldnt start at the time so i changed plugs along with dizzy cap and rotor.

What factors could cause a rich mixture? Could this be a problem with the inlet/carb? I dont really know whats inside the carb but i can see that the butterfly turns freely and that the piston thing just inside the carb is moving up and down freely

Thanks for the quick reply too!

Did this start when you fitted the new cap etc? Are the leads on in the correct order?

You could say that the issue started when i changed the cap etc., however, it didnt start at all before i changed the plugs and cap etc.

When i bought it it was turning over but not starting, then I changed the cap, rotor and plugs and it still wouldnt start, i finally found that the prev. owner had put the leads on the plugs in the right order but they were 90deg out on the distributor cap if that makes sense, so i corrected that and it started fine but at the time i had no oil pressure, in the end i changed the oil filter and it was ok.

Im 99% sure think ive got it firing in the right order now as i checked with the old trick of putting a screwdriver in the plug hole and turning the engine by hand. I may well have missed something though as im a newb!

A bit of a random thought, but maybe an inlet valve sticking?

I would expect the timing to be at fault, can you borrow a timing light from any you know? If it not the timing you need to check compression on each cylinder.
Just had thought that it could be dodgy plug, but you would notice if the engine was on running on 3 cylinders.

hi just watched video there seems tobe a timing problem the dizzy is to far advanced you should realy use a timing light to get timing right but it can be done by ear before you go adjusting the dizzy thou just whip cap off check its identical to old one i.e pick up arent in diffrent positions and alsothat youve not put it on 180 deg out i.e holding clips or screws are ofset. if they are all correct then start engine slacken bolt/nut at base of dizzy and turn slightly clockwise you wont it to be just off sweet sound lock it off and blip throttle few times and let it idle it may take few atemps only move it small amount at a time and mark it before you start to use as a datum point hope this help.