9 replies to this topic

[wobbles]

Got a problem with oil leaks on my 998 auto mini.
I suspect it is the tappet cover gaskets, but can i change these without taking the exhaust manifold off. Looks realy tight back there.
Don't know if the extra work to take if off will be worth the the effort. Also is there any hints or tips to make this any easier.

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[jif2006]

Here is a picture (link) http://www.heritageg...minicat2-33.jpg

Rocker cover with its gasket it should be held on by two retaining nuts. (Number 1)

Also notice the gasket (number 9)

You could use vasaline to hold the gasket in place or some other grease as they tent to bend in a little a tad tricky.

Also you wont need to remove the exhaust gasket, you would need to remove if you were removing head gasket but your not in this instance unless there is some confusion on what taks you are actually undertaking.

Kidn Regards

Bradley

[Paul Wiginton]

Here is a picture (link) http://www.heritageg...minicat2-33.jpg

Rocker cover with its gasket it should be held on by two retaining nuts. (Number 1)

Also notice the gasket (number 9)

You could use vasaline to hold the gasket in place or some other grease as they tent to bend in a little a tad tricky.

Also you wont need to remove the exhaust gasket, you would need to remove if you were removing head gasket but your not in this instance unless there is some confusion on what taks you are actually undertaking.

Kidn Regards

Bradley

Im sure he means the cam follower covers on the back of the block.

Yes you will need to remove the manifold but its not difficult.

Paul

[nicksuth]

There looks to be 2 different types?
Covex Type which uses a cork gasket
Concave Type which uses a rubber gasket.

see attached link to somerford - http://www.somerford...fs/engines.html - which may help?

[Ouster]

Judge for yourself - it'll be extremely tight though, and I'm not sure you could do it with the carb still attached:

[wobbles]

Thanks for the help,
i did mean the tappet chest cover gaskets on the back of the block.
Don't know if mine are the concave or convex covers, i,ll take of the manifold and have a look tomorrow.
I thought the only difference in the gaskets where earlier models had cork gaskets and later ones had rubber.
Bought rubber ones so will find out tomorrow.

[1984mini25]

Got a problem with oil leaks on my 998 auto mini.
I suspect it is the tappet cover gaskets, but can i change these without taking the exhaust manifold off. Looks realy tight back there.

I must have the must spacious mini engine bay then, as I have never had to remove anything other than the air box to get at the tappet chest covers when they were both leaking from the bolts. A quick bit of filing on the hole, a rubber grommet and fitted back with and extra washer has since done the trick.

Ok it wasn’t easy and they’re might have been some swearing (exhaust was still a bit hot) bit I managed it with a tinny 3/8’s ratchet.

[dklawson]

Karl, I'd say you are extremely fortunate if you had no difficulty fitting the tappet chest covers and seals.

My advice was going to be to tell you to get a little kid (with small arms) to do this for you. What I found difficult was that you have to hold things in place while getting the center bolt started.

OK, you bought the rubber seals. I think they're harder to install but that's what you have to work with. Do you have access to a spare/extra Mini block? If so, use RTV to bond the seals to the tappet chest covers and fit them finger tight to the spare engine block. Allow the covers to sit like this (overnight) then remove them and fit them to your car's engine. The overnight cure will allow the RTV to set, bonding the seals to the covers AND produce a flat surface on the gasket where it contacts the block. Take the curred assemblies and fit them to the back of your block.

Good luck. This is a job that sounds so simple at the outset but is difficult due to limited space.

[1984mini25]

Oh and one other thing to add, like the rocker cover gasket, do not over tighten the retaining bolt as all this will do is warp and buckle the covers causing them to leak even more.

[wobbles]

Job done, no more oil leaks and no more skin on knuckles.
thanks for the info.