Some Common Austin-Healey Problems and Some of the Possible Causes
Compiled by David Nock
Originally published in the Austin-Healey Magazine, August 1990
(Not a Complete List)
Does your Healey leak oil from the rear carburetor?
Your rocker arms are worn
Do you have a water leak from the overflow hose?
Expansion of hot coolant
Your radiator cap Is the wrong depth
Radiator cap is faulty
Do your feet get hot while driving?
Hot air is leaking into the cockpit
Tunnel is not screwed down
Heat shields are missing
Grommets are missing
Heater is on
Do you get bad gas mileage?
Carb jets are worn
Carbs are adjusted too rich
Mechanical advance is frozen
Ignition timing is retarded
Vacuum unit leaks
Is there a rattle at the front of the engine?
Crank pulley is loose
Timing chain is worn
Do you smell gas in the car?
Carb jets are leaking
Carbs are flooding
Sending unit is leaking
Is your engine temperature too high?
Check your gauge for accuracy
Water level is too low
Faulty thermostat
Fan belt is loose
Ignition timing
Carb adjustment
Wrong temperature thermostat
Is there a clunk when braking or accelerating?
Hubs are worn
Wheels are weak
shocks are loose
Steering box adjustment
Idler arm is worn
Wheel out of balance
Does your steering wheel shake?
King pins are worn
Shocks are weak
Shocks are loose
Steering box adjustment
Idler arm Is worn
Wheel out of balance
Does your car wander when driving?
Rear springs are loose
Steering box adjustment
King pins are worn
Does your speedometer needle Jump around?
Speedometer cable is worn
Angle drive is stiff
Is your handbrake stiff or sloppy?
Cable is frozen
Linkage is frozen
Brackets are broken
Do you have problems getting into gear?
Gear shift lever is worn
Reverse lockout is stuck
Does your engine crank slowly?
Battery is old or flat
Starter Is faulty
Battery terminals are dirty
Ignition timing
Battery switch
Engine ground
Do your brakes grab?
Oil on brake shoes
Do your brakes pull?
Oil on brake shoes
Wheel cylinder Is frozen
Are the doors hard to open?
Worn striker
Door handle stiff
Frame is weak and rusty
Does your door open when driving?
Door strikers are worn
Frame is weak and rusty
Does your fuel pump run and run?
Air leak at pump
Bad valves In pump
Float needle not seating
No gas in tank
Is your car low on one side?
Broken or weak spring
Do you have low oil pressure?
Check accuracy of gauge
Rocker arms are worn
Crank bearings are worn
Does your engine stop while running?
Fuel pump is faulty
Blockage in fuel line
Is your electric tach not working?
Incorrectly grounded
"U" shaped bracket missing
Does your overdrive operate slowly?
Blockage inside unit
Wrong oil
Wrong adjustment
Did your overdrive solenoid burn and smell?
Wrong adjustment
Docs your overdrive work in all gears?
Isolator switch is bypassed
Does the overdrive not operate?
Solenoid adjustment is incorrect
Low on oil
Isolator switch
Overdrive relay
Governor switch (on 3-speeds)
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