46 replies to this topic

[danm]

Hello!

I have a technical question regarding an automatic mini.

1) Taking a long time to get into 'drive' and actually pull away

2) Heavily vibrating engine

Over the last few weeks, I have noticed that is has occasionally unexpectedly lost power when driving to the same effect as doing 30mph and slipping into neutral by mistake.

It has happened when cruising at 30, but most often slowing down for a roundabout. It feels like its slipped to neutral whilst still being in drive. I usually have to stop entirely and wait a good 5 or so seconds for it to engage drive and be able to pull away. Every time it does this, it also has a very obvious jolt (drive now re-engaged) that feels like someone has lightly clipped the rear before it can pull away. That's how I know its engaged, because of the jolt.

Is this normal on an automatic? I thought it might be part of the automatic nature with the jolt as its always done it, but the loss of drive and delay when slowing is a newer problem.

The car managed to survive the L2B run, and seems OK on faster roads without problems.

I suspect there may be a missing/lose engine steady/corroded bushes causing the wobbling, as a friend showed me how steady his engine bay was and mine could happily have one of those hula dolls jiggling on top and it'd do some damage. He tried to match where his steadies/ties were and it seems (can this be right!?) that my engine was missing one where there should be one.

It's an A+ 998 Auto - I thought the steadies would be in the same place as manuals? Need to have a better look in daylight.

But I wondered if the wobbling engine could have caused more serious damage and is the reason for the auto gear slippage?

I've got a manual awaiting to be cleaned up to convert it in the autumn, so fingers crossed I haven't buggered it royally.

Any advice is most appreciated! Thankyou! :)

[silve1999]

the jolting when slowing down happens on mine sometimes i think the engine/transmission can be a bit hit and miss when selecting gears it shouldn't be slipping or waiting for drive it should go into drive within a second. oil change may help though...??

 

as for engine judder mine has had that (its been a lot worse since it was serviced). I also suspect it to be engine steadies and possibly engine mounts too. there should be one on top left of the block as you are looking at the engine with an engine to body earthing strap connected to it. and I think the other one is on the back of the block at the right hand side. you can always get the 998 ultimate engine steady as well and I am also considering getting  a more sturdy bracket for the steering column. I think its the nature of auto cars to be a bit juddery when in gear due to them always being slightly clutch on? Although I may be wrong and quite often am!!

Edited by silve1999, 13 June 2013 - 02:57 PM.

[danm]

Thanks for the quick reply! :)

What you've said makes absolute sense to me. The steering is insanely wobbly on mine too, especially so when I stop at lights, the bonnet actually hums like the top of a washing machine on 1500. But the juddering is an auto thing, 'character' they call it LOL. My car got called 'The Toad' for the manner in which its sits like a fat lump, yet jerks and launches suddenly.

I'll check the engine steadies and mounts in the locations you've said.

I have a feeling the first week I got it I took a speed bump a little too fast and the car launched somewhat, taking all the lights out. They (somehow) fixed themselves three days later, but I suspect I knocked something out, and in remembering, I probably did something to the steadies here as well.

 

[Carlos W]

Is there any way the engine moving is pulling it out of gear?

[danm]

That's what I was thinking. If the engine steadies/ties are missing/loose/rattling then could the natural jolt of accelerating/engaging drive cause the engine itself to jolt forward? Which if not secured properly, the engine pulls something away momentarily with the gearbox/linkage, which stops it getting into gear, but after a few seconds (never the same length of time) the engine rejolts and engages. 

The intermittent slipping out of gear when driving slow (30mph) could be due to the rattling loose engine pulling it out of gear or perhaps braking sharply. Would make sense!

I know nothing about engines, so could be entirely wrong.

[Carlos W]

Anyone who could have a look for you and see if engine steadies are there and in good condition?

[Captain Mainwaring]

Adjust the kick down rod by the book - indeed check it hasn't fallen off with all the aerobatics. If it is wobbling about then it will make a big difference to gear change points.

 

You can check the control oil pressure at the filter housing - I posted a link here with details.

 

If you haven't been changing oil and filter regularly, then you should start - some say every 1000 miles if you want it to last, and never use any sort of additional anti friction agents in it.

[danm]

I tightened one of the steadies over the weekend, but the engine still wobbles. I'll see if I can see a friends, because there's a lot of play in the bushes which I am sure isn't right.

It seems this wobbling is also the source of the leaky manifold, as the sealer has now all cracked since the previous owner 'fixed it' before it was sold. Bodge job and a half, lol.

 

I'll get some videos of the movement tonight.

[Carlos W]

You can buy new steady bushes quite cheaply!

[Captain Mainwaring]

That's what I was thinking. If the engine steadies/ties are missing/loose/rattling then could the natural jolt of accelerating/engaging drive cause the engine itself to jolt forward? Which if not secured properly, the engine pulls something away momentarily with the gearbox/linkage, which stops it getting into gear, but after a few seconds (never the same length of time) the engine rejolts and engages. 

The intermittent slipping out of gear when driving slow (30mph) could be due to the rattling loose engine pulling it out of gear or perhaps braking sharply. Would make sense!

I know nothing about engines, so could be entirely wrong.

 

The cars that I've seen have a flexible cable between the gearbox an the selector quadrant - I'm not sure how it could be knocking the car out of drive - but if the linkage is badly adjusted, then I guess it's possible.

[Bazooka Joe]

The lower engine mounts on mine are gone, so I need to get them replaced at some point - it's a little bit tight down there! It could be yours are gone and the engine is bouncing round a little? Start the car and open the bonnet, and whilst stitting in the car (with your foot on the brake!) put it in and out of gear and see if you can see the engine moving round. Also could it be the linkage adjustment being so far out it's trying to select 2 gears at once? And I know it's a silly question, but have you checked the oil level? I know, I know, but I had to ask.

[jambolincs]

it could be as said before ive got a 1275 auto and noticed it was doing as you said on saturday i knew the engine steady bushes needed doing but didnt think anymore of it just changed them today and its stopped doing could be a coincidence but worth a try

[danm]

I'm going to pop to minispares on Saturday to pick up some new bushes.

 

I couldn't see a second steady, and from what I have read elsewhere, there may not be always be second one on the auto which could explain some things. I'll need to have another look as its pretty tight. The left top steady is there with a thick (braided) earth cable. I am assuming if there is a second steady, it'll be below this on the left of the gearbox area. I may need to remove the front grille to see more.

If there isn't one here, would it be located on the right somewhere?

And if there isn't one altogether, I would like to fit another one to the lower gearbox. I read a thread on here where a guy suffering a blowing downpipe (which I have) that the wobbling engine isn't helping with at all. This would solve another of my issues, along with some sealer, replacement clamp and possibly extra heat sealer flexi tape to be sure.

Will a regular 998 lower gearbox steady fit an auto gearbox? 

 

[danm]

Here are two videos showing the movement. This isn't normal, right?

Video 1 - Engine off





Video 2 - Engine on. Check that wobble, looks like something from fast and furious LOL

Edited by danm, 19 June 2013 - 08:05 PM.

[mk1leg]

put engine flushing oil in and run for 20 mins and then drain oil and refill with cheap oil and another bottle of flush oil repete and then change oil filter and use 20/50 corma oil..............