14 replies to this topic

[kiwi1275GT]

~~~~~Please delete this text before posting the topic~~~~~~
Please give your topic a title that quickly describes your problem. Just putting 'Help my Mini doesn't work' is useless to anyone trying to help.
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Model:1275GT
Year:1981
Description of problem (please be as in depth as possible):


Only yesterday I was on here starting a new project thread as I had just got the mini running right for the first time (recon engine at $1800). We have spent every penny we have on this, so that we could have a usable car asap.

Now last night my girlfriend was driving home from work (in a bar) at 5am, when in her words "the engine started kinda rattling". Without credit on her phone she did not want to be on her own on the country lanes at night so kept going (probably 15mins) until the engine cut out altogether - lots of steam.

It took half an hour until it would start again, then she drove it home (maybe another 20mins).

This morning I Had a quick look and found there is no water whatsoever in the rad, when i filled it up n tried to start it water spews out of the head gaskit above the gearbox and although starts fine - only fires on 3 cylinders.

Inside the oil filler cap was this strange looking object - anyone identify? and it smells strongly of burning.

Now I'm pretty sure the engine is cooked - has overheated for some reason and then been continued to drive. I have no money left to put into this car and we need it as a daily driver. I could almost cry as I'm pretty sure our $1800 recon motor is wrecked after only a couple days, but I'd love it if someone would tell me otherwise.





Any non-standard parts that might be involved with the problem?

[john1.2pearl]

What size is the diameter of said strange looking object ? also where abouts on the engine does the water pour out of ? is it the side near the radiator ?

Edited by john1.2pearl, 30 November 2008 - 12:17 AM.

[nicksuth]

Looks like the object is part of the rubber sealing washer that seals the bolts holding the rocker cover to the head? Difficult without a reference object (i.e. ruler, pencil, coin etc.)

[kiwi1275GT]

What size is the diameter of said strange looking object ? also where abouts on the engine does the water pour out of ? is it the side near the radiator ?

The inside of said strange object is 22mm aprox, and the length - if it didn't crumble in my fingers would be about 30mm

[kiwi1275GT]

i mean 22mm diameter inside. It was in 1 piece when i picked it out but crumbles with the slightest touch

The water pours out from the end furthest from the rad - above the clutch housing. kinda around no.1 cylinfer so im guessing thats the 1 not firing. you can see roughly where on the second pic

Edited by kiwi1275GT, 30 November 2008 - 12:28 AM.

[Ethel]

looks like rubber hose, certainly not like anything that should or could get in to the rocker cover, unless it was put there.

What's the photo supposed to show? No sign of a head gasket leak in it though the rocker cover gasket doen't look too healthy - can't even see it!

[john1.2pearl]

yeah does look like a perished and burned rubber hose, it shouldnt be there ! Was it a company who reconditioned/sold you the engine ?

[kiwi1275GT]

looks like rubber hose, certainly not like anything that should or could get in to the rocker cover, unless it was put there.

What's the photo supposed to show? No sign of a head gasket leak in it though the rocker cover gasket doen't look too healthy - can't even see it!

sorry you cannot see the leak on the pic the water dried by the time i got camera - pretty hot here today. but it leaked above the clutch housing from between the head and block.

and you are right the rocker cover doesn't look too healthy either but thats less of a worry

[nicksuth]

looks like the bottom section of the rocker cover bolt seal - item 54 in attached sketch (click on link)


http://www.somerford.....Cooper S).pdf

[kiwi1275GT]

yeah does look like a perished and burned rubber hose, it shouldnt be there ! Was it a company who reconditioned/sold you the engine ?

Yes it was an engineering comapany did the recon on behalf of pitstop (NZ chain kinda like charlie browns). but then a truck mechanic aquaintance of mine who is fanatical about minis and has rebuilt many over the years installed the engine and new gearbox and hooked it all up as i dont have a garage/tools.

[john1.2pearl]

looks like the bottom section of the rocker cover bolt seal - item 54 in attached sketch (click on link)


http://www.somerford.....Cooper S).pdf

Doubt it to be honest, he says its 22mm ID and about 30mm long

[cambiker71]

I've never taken one to pieces so not sure what they look like inside, but i'd take a guess that piece is what's left of the breather filter inside the oil filler cap, size sounds about right, so does position.
Sorry to give bad news but there's a good chance the engine is now scrap, 15 mins of overheating followed by getting hot enough to stop isn't a good omen, but, i have seen an A series survive this, so have the cylinder head off and take a look at what damage has happened. Maybe you'll be lucky and get away with a head skim and gasket replacement.
good luck

[kiwi1275GT]

looks like the bottom section of the rocker cover bolt seal - item 54 in attached sketch (click on link)


http://www.somerford.....Cooper S).pdf

Well I gotta go pick her up from work now - as she no longer has a mini to drive!!! when I get home I will take the rocker cover off and have a better look inside n see what i can see.

Do you think it might just be a case of replcing head gaskit? if so is that a job I can do on my driveway with basic tools and a bit of knowhow? Or am i more likely to cause even more damage messing with what I dont know?

[john1.2pearl]

Replacing a head gasket can be done with a few tools and a torque wrench along with a bit of know how but when your head is removed, the head will need to be inspected for damage and also be crack/pressure tested along with a skim to make the mating surface true and flat, you will also need to inspect the block/bores/pistons for damage and find the source of problem which caused all of this in the first place.

Edited by john1.2pearl, 30 November 2008 - 12:41 PM.

[john1.2pearl]

double post !

Edited by john1.2pearl, 30 November 2008 - 01:00 AM.