25 replies to this topic

[Mr Clubman]

I did some diy on the mini over the weekend. I fitted a new two core radiator. It worked a real treat and I took it on a run to check things were fine.....best run performance wise it has done for a long time. I was on a natural high. But having started it this morning it sounded rough as hell........it was struggling to say the least....juddering along like a bone shaker....once in fourth at 50mph it smooths out but losses power drastically up hill.......sounds like a VW Beetle too! Is it a problem on not firing on all cylinders, poor air intake or something worse? any suggestion guys? I got to work (20 or so miles away) but thinking of getting back worries me a bit!

[Madmax]

do you have a LCB? sounds like you may have snapped the exhaust manifold, does the engine move at all forwards or backwards? or does it thump every time you change gear? this is what would stick out in my mind if you think it sounds like a beetle

[Mr Clubman]

no there's no thump pas say......just chugs along like perhaps not on four cylinders (i imagine!) it ran great last night...started it up this morning and it was C**p....like it was cold.....the accelorator wasnt responsive and sounded exactly like a VW camper or beetle....LCB....sorry unfamiliar with that term......

[Jordie]

air leak in manifold?

LCB is the term for an aftermarket proformance manifold.

[Mr Clubman]

well its got an MG metro engine so i suppose it has been changed......I will check the manifold tonight! you reckon i can rukle cylinders out?

[Purple Tom]

make sure all your HT leads are still attached, i did some work to mine once and dislodged number 3 lead from the dizzy cap, felt a right prat once I noticed it! :tongue:

[Pavel]

Sounds like its not firing... check spark plugs and leads, and if necessary replace! Worked a treat for me

[Mr Clubman]

hmm that was my first port of call....Ht leads......i will give em a good clean. the sparks are a hell to get out, Ive tried getting them out but quit after just one was removed (that was ok though!) so i guess i better do the job properly this time! teheheheehe

[Jordie]

why are they hell to get out?

The A-series engine is the easiest engine i have ever worked on. The plugs sit nice and in reach in top of cylinder head.

The plugs on my nissian are down long tunnels into head and u need a special tool or u get the wratchet stuck down there.

[Mr Clubman]

i think they may have been sitting in there too long.....which may actually explain why my problem has arisen! Eureka........will need a bigger tool to get em out me thinks!

[Jordie]

scaffolding pole on end of rachet.

I got one in my garage for working on mini, cant beat it.

PS. Beetles sound wicked, leave it.

[Mr Clubman]

hahahaha beetles sound cool! but not if they drive like this

[MiniMoi]

If they don't come out easy, well how do you say it, you should not just put loads of pressure on it as they will snap. You need to do it very quickly. So a short push. Not just take out your largest ratchet and slowly build up the pressure because they will snap and than you have a whole different problem. Good luck, maybe time for new plugs as well.

MiniMoi

[Mr Clubman]

Ok latest.........i put in some new HT leads, new plugs and checked the dizzy and they are all working fine.....still have this problem though......the gear change is now severely affected.........possibly clutch??????? would this make the car run sh*t and juddery? even when the clutch pedel is depressed? next step is a new coil....just to make sure the electrics are up to date (need replacing anyway!) any suggestions guys? ps managed to get the old plugs out after some determination and knuckle grazing! hahahahaha

[Pavel]

Sounds pretty bad!... any chance of looking down the bores? You could've destroyed a piston or something :\

Electrics shouldn't affect the gearbox at all...