Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing morgan plus four m16 motor problem

Hi Gerhard, sorry to hear about your problem.
I also have a M16 +4 and no local workshops here in Australia. My car is back on the road again after many months. My problem was mostly a non starting issue and so replaced most of the sensors and ECU with no difference. Eventually when ordering another part, I also bought a new distributor cap, rotor arm and spark plug leads. When I put these on, the car has started and run again; as I put them on at the same time, I don't know which one was the problem but think possibly the distributor cap??
Of course, your car may be a totally different issue. Maybe also check the vacuum hoses around the plenum chamber, throttle body flange & air line to the ignition ECU in case of leaks.
There are some very good articles on the Gomog website and I have found a lot of the references to the Rover v8 are relevant to the M16 motor also. (some sensors are the same, also fuel pressure regulator)
I can send you some links to articles I found helpful if you want to send me your email.
Hope you can sort it out soon.
Regards, Col

+1 for checking for air leaks. The ECU will be affected by that. I the Haynes manual on the Rover 820 may help you .
This is the fault finding guide
Engine stalls
m Engine management system fault (Chapters 1 and 4).
m Vacuum leak at the inlet manifold or associated hoses (Chapters 1, 2 and 4).
m Fuel filter choked (Chapter 1).
m Fuel pump faulty or delivery pressure low (Chapter 4).
m Fuel tank vent blocked or fuel pipes restricted (Chapter 4).
Engine lacks power
m Incorrect ignition timing (Chapter 5).
m Engine management system fault (Chapters 1 and 4).
m Timing belt incorrectly fitted or incorrectly tensioned (Chapter 2,
Part A or B).
m Fuel filter choked (Chapter 1).
m Fuel pump faulty or delivery pressure low (Chapter 4).
m Uneven or low cylinder compressions (Chapter 2, Part A, B or C).
m Worn, faulty or incorrectly-gapped spark plugs (Chapter 1).
m Vacuum leak at the inlet manifold or associated hoses (Chapters 1, 2 and 4).
m Brakes binding (Chapters 1 and 9).
m Clutch slipping (Chapter 6).
m Automatic transmission fluid level incorrect (Chapter 1)

How old are the HT leads? The insulation could be breaking down as the car gets hot.

Oops I missed that

Hi there
I would go straight to the Rotor arm in the distributor.
There is a resistor or similar in the top that is known to cause this problem.
I have experience of this, get a new rotor arm
Ian.

Water in the petrol tank from E10 petrol?

Thanks for your tips, I'll work them off as far as possible. Greeting Gerhard