64 replies to this topic

[cal844]

The OP could remove the engine and box and transplant the replacement engine into the car for little outlay.

My advice whilst the car is in bits is to fit a new(or reconditioned) steering rack, also new subframe and engine mounting bushes

[phillrulz]

Yea conrods through the sump tend to mean bye bye engine.  Also dont live that far from you. 

[Neuraminidaze]

I'd love to do the work myself but I don't have the tools or the space to do it. I don't have the funds at the moment to invest in the tools either. I've asked my mini specialist if I can go in and do some work on the mini with him. Let's see what he says.

[pusb]

What causes something like that to happen? Is it oil starvation? 

[Boycie]

It's an unusual failure.  Looks like there has been a major engine fault such as big end or conrod failure.  I'd hazard a guess that such things normally happen after someone has already been 'in there' and fixed something incorrectly.  Unless of course the engine has done lots and lots of miles without oil changes.  Even then, I'd expect something else to at least give a warning sign before the bottom end gives up.

 

Welcome to the site and Mini ownership Neuraminidaze!  You have a great opportunity to build up a nice engine now, to your spec and standards.  I'm sorry your first experience of these cars hasn't been very rosy- in fact, the engine and gearbox are usually the least of your worries!

[Curley]

I'm with cal844, a replacement recon engine can be had for little money and it's really not that hard to do. If your local garage is friendly to the idea of you coming in to help that is a plus, often these sorts of experiences are worth the price of admission.

[Neuraminidaze]

Thanks Mr Boycie and everyone else too! I got feel how it's like to own a mini for abt 20 mins lol before it all went wrong.

My mini specialist has already sourced me an engine but the plan is to do some of the restoration work while the engine is out. I'll see what the mini specialist says and take it from there. I'll ask abt Steering rack, engine mount bushes and subframe too.

[Wiggy]

A fairly rudimentary socket set including imperial sockets, a few extensions, and a breaker bar; plus a set of imperial combination spanners would pretty much get the engine ready to be lifted out. No need to spend a fortune.

Photos of everything, lots of self seal bags, and put nuts and bolts back in/on the appropriate holes/studs after an item has been removed.

Engine hoists can be hired for very little.

A driveway would be good though. Heh.

[phillrulz]

Thanks Mr Boycie and everyone else too! I got feel how it's like to own a mini for abt 20 mins lol before it all went wrong.

My mini specialist has already sourced me an engine but the plan is to do some of the restoration work while the engine is out. I'll see what the mini specialist says and take it from there. I'll ask abt Steering rack, engine mount bushes and subframe too.

 

Where abouts are you taking it too? i dont live too far from you and the garage / spray shop i used are mini friendly ( both owners have minis)

[Boycie]

Cal is quite right about the steering rack, if in doubt, replace it while access is nice and easy.  The great thing about Minis is parts such as engine and subframe mounts are very cheap and easy to get.  I rarely refit items like that after I've disturbed them (unless they're pukka original parts, which are of superior quality).

 

I can sympathise about your new purchase dying before you've barely driven it.  Years back, I bought a 1976 Mk3, that suffered engine failure an hour after I'd bought it.  I was stuck on the M25, with no breakdown cover a few miles from the Dartford tunnel/ bridge- I didn't even have any hazard lights 

I still have the car, nearly ten years on.  I bought another engine and box complete and built it to be a reliable car and it's never let me down since.

 

Your location is good too, you're half an hour from Mini Spares Centre!

[Icey]

All you'll need for this is some basic hand tools - sockets, spanners, screwdrivers etc.., just buy what you need to keep the cost down (i.e. don't buy a million piece kit, you won't use half of it).

The only 'big' tool you'll need is an engine crane which you may be able to rent locally or borrow from someone (if you know anyone) - I bought one 2nd hand 10+ years ago for £60, still using it now.

 

To get yourself mobile again look out for a cheap 998cc engine. Put up a few wanted ads, keep an eye on Facebook groups etc... Shouldn't cost much, it's still possible to pick them up <£100,  you don't need the ancillaries as you have(had) a running motor.

 

All that said - you will need some where to work. Doesn't have to be under cover but somewhere you can leave the car and not have it towed by the council. I would really recommend against doing this if all you have is on-road parking, that's my line in the sand as you will no doubt piss off your neighbours.

[sonikk4]

You don't actually need a crane hoist either. You can leave the engine in the subframe, disconnect the subframe from the car and lift the car off the engine and subframe with a couple of mates if needs be.

[Northernpower]

This doesn't need a lot of tools, but it does need somewhere dry to work. If you have that and some patience there's enough help on the forum for you to have a go. Don't forget the engine is most likely destroyed, so it's not as if you can do much more damage.

[Neuraminidaze]

Thanks Mr Boycie and everyone else too! I got feel how it's like to own a mini for abt 20 mins lol before it all went wrong.

My mini specialist has already sourced me an engine but the plan is to do some of the restoration work while the engine is out. I'll see what the mini specialist says and take it from there. I'll ask abt Steering rack, engine mount bushes and subframe too.

 
Where abouts are you taking it too? i dont live too far from you and the garage / spray shop i used are mini friendly ( both owners have minis)

[phillrulz]

 

 

Thanks Mr Boycie and everyone else too! I got feel how it's like to own a mini for abt 20 mins lol before it all went wrong.

My mini specialist has already sourced me an engine but the plan is to do some of the restoration work while the engine is out. I'll see what the mini specialist says and take it from there. I'll ask abt Steering rack, engine mount bushes and subframe too.

 
Where abouts are you taking it too? i dont live too far from you and the garage / spray shop i used are mini friendly ( both owners have minis)

 

You quoted me and forgot to type.