24 replies to this topic

[richardtrivella]

so i realise the coils were a bad move...  i did think maybe it was the knuckle joints and did buy some new ones to replace them with just in case but obviously i never managed to find out.  

 

however, the car is actually higher on the passenger side where the squeaking is coming from than the drivers' side.  (I'm also not 100% certain it is the suspension that is squeaking because it only squeaks during driving doesn't do it if I rock the car when its stationary)

 

as far as i am aware i havent found any rust around the windows (which is a good thing i guess).  i will have to get a magnet at some point to look for filler but if i did find some is there any benifit to me knowing its there?  so the most of it the rust i am find is only the odd tiny bubble.  im just worried about leaving them to get worse but dont know how to repair them without ruining the pearlescent paint work. 

 

its good to know that its normal for the plugs to look different in the a-series but is it normal for them to become soiled so quickly?

 

As for the k&n filter i wasnt really bothered about that. its just what came on the can when i bought it.  only been keeping it on cause the previous own said he found the engine ran smoother with it that the standard filter. i do have the orginal filter housing just never bought a new filter for it as i figured i had nothing to gain from doing so).

Fitting coils is unnecessary and will probably give you far more problems in the long run.....you would be better fixing the existing rubber cone suspension, if it is squeaking it could be the knuckle joint has worn through its cup in the top suspension arm.... is the car lower at the front on the squeaking side?

 

As you may know later MPi Minis are prone to rust so the bubbles appearing may be minor or sign of a major problem hidden below the surface perhaps by the last respray, use a magnet to look for filler, check especially around the later wide windscreen rubber/lower windscreen scuttle area as this is a very common rust area on MPi's. Sometimes they are even rusting inside under the top dash padded rail....

 

Not unusual for plug colour to differ between centre two cylinders and outer two on an A series engine.

 

If you want a quieter intake refit the standard Rover MPi air filter assembly.......you can fit a standard shape K&N type filter inside if you wish.

[richardtrivella]

thanks i appreciate the offer.

though you prombably are a little far.  have to be honest im a little concerned about driving the car of any distance at faster speeds until i work out whats happening with the car mechanically.  the revs and squeaking and banging are worrying me that there might be some serious mechanical issues with my engine.  im hoping the squeaking is just suspension but also worried its not. as for the banging (complete guess) im worried is a big end bearing as its only when the coasting in gear. and havent really a clue about the high idle speeds yet.

Ideally you need someone who really knows their way around a classic Mini to have an in-depth look at your car.

 

But first of all, send the horrible coil springs back and get a refund. The exhaust and other mechanical issues are easy to sort out.

 

However, the weak point with all Minis, especially the later ones, is rust, rust and more rust.You need to first establish the extent of the rust and then arrive at a plan to resolve it. The lower screen scuttle panel is very prone to rust on the later cars, together with the A-panel, inner & outer sills, door skins, rear valence, front panel and the rear of the boot floor. Get these areas checked in detail.

 

With a metallic paint it is possible a full re-paint will be needed, but don't decide that until the full extent of the body corrosion is established. Get an expert to go over it. There may be someone fairly local to you on here who can help. It is a bit far for me, although if you want to bring it to my place, which is 12 miles from Huntingdon towards Ely, I'll be happy to take a good look at no charge.

[hunterg30]

 

sorry for my ignorance but could you please tell me where and what this stepper motor for?  do you know how i could test if its faulty?

The high idle could be the stepper motor

 

the mpi does not have a stepper motor the spi does

[DeadSquare]

While I agree, from a safe driving point of view, that you need to sort out your Mini's front suspension rubbers, it would seem that meanwhile the body is gently rusting beneath a respray.

 

Sorting the rust has got to be high up on the list of things to do, because unless you get the rust situation cured, you won't have a Mini.

[Retroman]

You should find the imgur site good to use and quick

just copy and paste images from there to here

 

https://imgur.com/?

 

As you have greased round, the squeeking maybe suspension cones, bottom arms or subframe tower mounts, its usually rubber related, could also be the alternator belt.

 

As there was no cat is there a lambda sensor ?

 

The banging is a concern, you say 'when coasting in gear'  do you mean it does it when you lift off the gas ?

 

If so it could be the engine mounts / stabilizer bushes and or the exhaust.

 

A big end knocking comes on more under load and revs.

 

A video really helps

[Mini Manannán]

. Get an expert to go over it. There may be someone fairly local to you on here who can help. It is a bit far for me, although if you want to bring it to my place, which is 12 miles from Huntingdon towards Ely, I'll be happy to take a good look at no charge.

 

That's an offer I'd jump at!  It's only an hour's drive for you.

 

I inherited coil springs, drove it for a year then changed on the advice of TMF to standard rubber cones.  The ride quality is like night and day; much, much improved.

[richardtrivella]

I dont think its the alternator because i cant get it to squeak when the car is not moving (by revving the car engine out of gear).  im starting to think that maybe its one of the rubber bushings on the tower bolts but can't really be sure until ive got them replaced.

 

as for the cat. I have now put one on the car but as far as i can tell there isnt a lambda sensor anywhere near it.  these is a sensor that i think is a lambda sensor either just after of on the exhaust manifold. 

 

yes the bang is only when i lift off the gas and the car is decelerating under engine braking (generally at lower speeds) . no banging when the engine is in neutral or under load.

 

I attempted to do a sound recording today while driving to work but when i played the recording back you could hear either the squeaking of the banging seems the engine is drowning it all out on the recording.

You should find the imgur site good to use and quick

just copy and paste images from there to here

 

https://imgur.com/?

 

As you have greased round, the squeeking maybe suspension cones, bottom arms or subframe tower mounts, its usually rubber related, could also be the alternator belt.

 

As there was no cat is there a lambda sensor ?

 

The banging is a concern, you say 'when coasting in gear'  do you mean it does it when you lift off the gas ?

 

If so it could be the engine mounts / stabilizer bushes and or the exhaust.

 

A big end knocking comes on more under load and revs.

 

A video really helps

[richardtrivella]

the rusting is perhaps not as bad as it may have come across in the original post.  in general the car is very good condition (paint & body wise) its just the odd bubble here and there that i have found. what i was looking for is rather how i can take care of these tiny bubbles (bear in mind its a pearlescent paint)  before the do become a problem.  and having a respray professionally everything time i find a bubble or even once a year really wouldn't be an option from a cost point of view.  the car looks great atm hence im a little concerned about going mad sanding off bubbles and respraying patches all over the place.

 

and this is the main reason i want to focus on all the mechanical issues first.  not that im brushing the rust aside and want to leave it to get worse.

While I agree, from a safe driving point of view, that you need to sort out your Mini's front suspension rubbers, it would seem that meanwhile the body is gently rusting beneath a respray.

 

Sorting the rust has got to be high up on the list of things to do, because unless you get the rust situation cured, you won't have a Mini.

[62S]

Have you greased the top suspension arms? People often miss those.

If you are in Banbury you are very close to Southam Mini Centre and I think it would be well worth you paying them a visit. They don't do paintwork but they should be able to help with the rest of it.

[richardtrivella]

i believe i have, there were 3 greasing points at the front and one at the back? (per wheel)

thanks ill check them out been trying to find a mini specialist close by.

 

Have you greased the top suspension arms? People often miss those.

If you are in Banbury you are very close to Southam Mini Centre and I think it would be well worth you paying them a visit. They don't do paintwork but they should be able to help with the rest of it.