22 replies to this topic

[sam_o]

Hello, ive recently bought my first mini. Its a 1992 mini cooper 1.3i.

I'm currently working on it as my project but have come across a problem that i need some help and advice with.
I've discovered that there is no compression in the No.1 cylinder.

What would you reccomend?? Any Advice??

Any help will be much appreciated
Thanks
Sam

[Kerrin]

Did you do a compression test? or is it only running on 3 cylinders.
if the compression is reading low then first check the basics.

1. Check the rocker clearance to make sure the valves are not being held open,
2. what colour is the spark plug, is it firing/oily/too clean
3. look in the spark plug hole to see if anything looks scored/bent

If all of these seem ok then it may be a headgasket problem, valve or piston problem. The head might need to come off for a better look.

Edited by Kerrin, 28 March 2009 - 02:23 PM.

[sam_o]

Did you do a compression test? or is it only running on 3 cylinders.
if the compression is reading low then first check the basics.

1. Check the rocker clearance to make sure the valves are not being held open,
2. what colour is the spark plug, is it firing/oily/too clean
3. look in the spark plug hole to see if anything looks scored/bent

If all of these seem ok then it may be a headgasket problem, valve or piston problem. The head might need to come off for a better look.

Thanks for getting back to me mate, i have done a compression test and 3 of the cylinders are reading the same compression rate but no.1 has hardly any compression at all.

Me and my next door neighbour sorted the valve clearances so there now fine and i replaced the spark plugs when we serviced it and they look pretty good.

I think the head might have to come off, my neighbour thinks it might be something to do with the pistons. Would you reccomend taking the engine out, stripping it and replacing parts? Or buying a new reconditioned engine??

Cheers mate
Sam

[Kerrin]

Did you do a compression test? or is it only running on 3 cylinders.
if the compression is reading low then first check the basics.

1. Check the rocker clearance to make sure the valves are not being held open,
2. what colour is the spark plug, is it firing/oily/too clean
3. look in the spark plug hole to see if anything looks scored/bent

If all of these seem ok then it may be a headgasket problem, valve or piston problem. The head might need to come off for a better look.

Thanks for getting back to me mate, i have done a compression test and 3 of the cylinders are reading the same compression rate but no.1 has hardly any compression at all.

Me and my next door neighbour sorted the valve clearances so there now fine and i replaced the spark plugs when we serviced it and they look pretty good.

I think the head might have to come off, my neighbour thinks it might be something to do with the pistons. Would you reccomend taking the engine out, stripping it and replacing parts? Or buying a new reconditioned engine??

Cheers mate
Sam

Sam

If you have eliminated the obvious, I would take the head off. it may be something simple like the head gasket or a burnt valve which if you do it yourself will be pretty cheap. If once the head is off the problem is worse then you have the option of giving it to an engine shop to fix or exchange for a recon.
Or you could DIY

[sam_o]

Did you do a compression test? or is it only running on 3 cylinders.
if the compression is reading low then first check the basics.

1. Check the rocker clearance to make sure the valves are not being held open,
2. what colour is the spark plug, is it firing/oily/too clean
3. look in the spark plug hole to see if anything looks scored/bent

If all of these seem ok then it may be a headgasket problem, valve or piston problem. The head might need to come off for a better look.

Thanks for getting back to me mate, i have done a compression test and 3 of the cylinders are reading the same compression rate but no.1 has hardly any compression at all.

Me and my next door neighbour sorted the valve clearances so there now fine and i replaced the spark plugs when we serviced it and they look pretty good.

I think the head might have to come off, my neighbour thinks it might be something to do with the pistons. Would you reccomend taking the engine out, stripping it and replacing parts? Or buying a new reconditioned engine??

Cheers mate
Sam

Sam

If you have eliminated the obvious, I would take the head off. it may be something simple like the head gasket or a burnt valve which if you do it yourself will be pretty cheap. If once the head is off the problem is worse then you have the option of giving it to an engine shop to fix or exchange for a recon.
Or you could DIY

I think im gonna have to do that, but i dont exactly know much about mini engines or any engines for that matter lol. But i guess i'll have to give it a go.
Cheers

[Kerrin]

Top tip is to get a Haynes Manual.

You need the newest version as you have an injecion car. But generally the older ones have more/better information. so if you find an older version secondhand get it as well.

If the car is a project and there is no rush on it, do a bit of background reading before you jump in, that way you can plan ahead.

Good luck

[BenLAST]

Is the car actually running on 3 cylinders, or is it just a low compression on no.1?

I would suggest to take off the head, as mentioned with the aid of a Haynes Manual. They are always useful to have as a helping hand. It does sound like a head gasket from the compression you got.

Don't jump to conclusions and start looking into new engines or a re-build. Start with the basics. I've been running on 3 cylinders for a while, and simply can't get my head around why.

[sam_o]

Top tip is to get a Haynes Manual.

You need the newest version as you have an injecion car. But generally the older ones have more/better information. so if you find an older version secondhand get it as well.

If the car is a project and there is no rush on it, do a bit of background reading before you jump in, that way you can plan ahead.

Good luck

Ive got a couple of those haynes manuals, yeah i think thats probably best. Ermm well there is kinda of a rush because i want to drive it as i dont have another car lol, but thanks for your though mate. much appreciated

[BenLAST]

This isn't Sam Oz from Houghton is it? If so, lol

[sam_o]

Is the car actually running on 3 cylinders, or is it just a low compression on no.1?

I would suggest to take off the head, as mentioned with the aid of a Haynes Manual. They are always useful to have as a helping hand. It does sound like a head gasket from the compression you got.

Don't jump to conclusions and start looking into new engines or a re-build. Start with the basics. I've been running on 3 cylinders for a while, and simply can't get my head around why.

There is just a low compression on no.1, i got a reading of about 10 bar on the other 3 but hardly anyting on no.1.
So i dont need to take the whole engine out or anything just take off the head?? How long does that normally take, because ive got all day tomorrow to do it.
Ohh okay then mate, thanks for you help.

[sam_o]

This isn't Sam Oz from Houghton is it? If so, lol

You might have me mixed up with the other sam osborne though, im from houghton but im a year older than him, im mates with his brother luke. i live just round the corner from them

[BenLAST]

Ahh, i'm usually round Sam's and Lukes in mine. Sam_O got me thinking it might be him though. Ha.

I took me 5hours to do the head, exhaust and manifolds, so a head gasket change would take around half a day, maybe more depending on experience. Its not an easy job, but you'll get the hang of it.

[sam_o]

Ahh, i'm usually round Sam's and Lukes in mine. Sam_O got me thinking it might be him though. Ha.

I took me 5hours to do the head, exhaust and manifolds, so a head gasket change would take around half a day, maybe more depending on experience. Its not an easy job, but you'll get the hang of it.

Ohh right cool, yeah most people get us mixed up lol
Alright then mate, i'll have to have a look at it tomorrow then, nice one.

[Dan]

If you've never done this before I wouldn't bet on being able to use the car on Monday. Anything can go wrong and when you do find the actual problem it may prove to be something you can't fix. If you don't have at least a new gasket set, oil, filter, coolant, Hylomar, all the tools and enough space to do this on your own drive (bearing in mind that this is actually illegal to do on the public highway now) then I wouldn't even start it on Sunday. When you know what you're doing you can replace a head gasket in about 1 1/2 to 2 hours but the first time it can take you hours and hours even if it all goes to plan. If I were you, I'd be planning on a different mode of transport for next week and spend tomorrow getting together what you'll need to do the job properly.

[ANON]

get a cylinder leakdown test done, will tell you whats wrong before you start