101 replies to this topic

[Daz1968]

It’s always best to take a step back before going forward when an issue is found, 

but one thing to check is the PCV valve, I had an issue some time ago with burning oil and it was a small tear in the rubber diaphragm, it must have been drawing oil out the engine. 
Worth a look before you take it all out. 

[exuptoy]

Cracking project. Just read it all. Lovely motor.
Just a tip for you and anyone else reading, if you have anything like the master cylinder to clean get a 1kg bag of citric acid off the bay for a fiver, throw it in a builders bucket and top it up with hot water, drop in a fish tank heater and leave your bit in the bucket for 30 mins to an hour. It’s essentially what Bilt Hambers Deox C is. That drum from my T2 bus was rustier than a rusty thing!
You can strain off the solution and keep using it until it stops working.

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Edited by exuptoy, 19 July 2020 - 05:40 AM.

[blacktulip]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I will still pull the engine anyway as I think a rebuild is the way to go.

[blacktulip]

So no update for a while. There is a valid reason for this... my garage is subsiding!!! I first noticed when I went in to grab something without turning the lights on and I saw daylight through a crack in the wall. Since that date it has got worse and it has been deemed irreparable so has to come down. So this could be the end of this project as I don't have storage whilst the garage gets rebuilt. I need to find homes for all of my tools, cabinets, hoists etc. It's a nightmare come true.

[GraemeC]

Is the garage repair being done through house insurance?  If so get them to pay for secure storage too - there's lots of place that store cars and obviously tools etc can be put into one of those self-store places

[The Principal]

I had the same problem ended up a shipping container on the drive housing the car thanks to the insurance company

[blacktulip]

It is going through our insurance. it's just the whole upheaval with everything that's going on I just feel too mentally drained to carry on with it. Since I have returned to work I have suddenly lost interest and the garage is a major blow to moral and my stress levels. Sadly a container wouldn't fit on my drive as we have shared access with our neighbour.

[CK's mini]

Why not rent a garage? when i moved house i had to rent one for 9 months while my new house was being built, it was a lot cheaper than the storage places and i could still work on my car (although there wasn't any power). I'm sure the company was garagelets.co.uk i found them on Gumtree. 

[blacktulip]

So waiting for progress on my garage I thought I would spend some time doing a few bits on the mini. I have managed to get the clutch working. The arm ball was worn out so I built up some weld on the ball and shaped it round. It's worked a treat. I don't know why you wouldn't do this as it took less than 45 mins.

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Edited by blacktulip, 24 October 2020 - 09:53 PM.

[blacktulip]

So yesterday I ran the engine up to temperature and ran a few checks. I noticed the smoke started to clear once warm so I'm hopeful it will just need a run out to make that better. Just got to fit the door and rear side windows once the frames are repaired then I can take it out. Can't wait If I'm honest as I haven't drove a mini for a few years now!  20201018_154347.jpg   65.44K   6 downloads

Edited by blacktulip, 08 November 2020 - 09:54 PM.

[blacktulip]

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Bit more progress tonight. I finally have fitted some rear quarter windows plus the drivers door glass tonight. Also some new stainless wipers. Almost ready for a run out.

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Edited by blacktulip, 20 November 2020 - 10:57 PM.

[blacktulip]

....and tonight the other side
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On the next shopping list is some new glass draught excluders and new door rubbers.

Edited by blacktulip, 21 November 2020 - 11:52 PM.