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[bcjames]

Double post.

Edited by bcjames, 11 August 2025 - 07:14 AM.

[bcjames]

No photos today, but progress none the less.

 

The first job to fit in and around today's meetings was the SRS light. I started at the steering wheel, and checked the rotary coupling for continuity. All good there so I moved on to the ECU unit connector. Disconnecting and reconnecting that, with a squirt of contact cleaner in between those steps, sorted the light out. 

 

Then, a strange thing happened. Trying the ignition to test the SRS light, I heard an unexpected whir from the back of the car. A little priming whir from the presumed-dead fuel pump. I put some petrol in tried to start the car, but no go. Still, that feels like a step closer than I was this morning. 

 

I need to recharge the battery before I try anything else. 

[bcjames]

 

Add new brake lines to the todo list.

[bcjames]

I had a morning working on the Mini. I'm definitely not as quick as I used to be, but I got in to the swing of it and got enough done to declare the session productive! 

 

When the car was moved here, I went around it and noted all the small jobs that needed doing for the MoT. Some of them were the frustrating job of disassembling running gear to change perished boots and gaiters. 

 

I also found some play in the NSF wheel, which I pinned down to the upper ball joint. That was odd, because I don't remember any play there when I parked the car up, but it was definitely present. 

 

 

That's new disc and pads, suspension knuckle, ball joints, and steering gaiter. That's the NSF corner done and all traces of wobble fixed. Split pins and ride height were finished off after that photo! 

 

For the ball joints, I bought the maintenance free ones from Minisport. They are the Bottletop Racing ones, and were simple enough to fit. 

 

I'm glad everything came undone easily enough, but things definitely aren't as neat under there as they used to be! 

Edited by bcjames, 23 August 2025 - 05:59 PM.

[bcjames]

Progress is slow but steady.  I think it's unrealistic to think I'll get the car on the road in September, much less for Standford Hall, but I am happy taking my time now as I think rushing has already bitten me a couple of times. 

 

Point in case; the petrol tank. I had emptied it and blown the fuel lines clear with a compressor. Optimistically, I'd put 5l of fuel in an hoped the car would start. It didn't, showing signs that no fuel was getting through. I ordered a new fuel filter, then thought about it a bit more, and decided to pull the tank out again. 

 

I'm forced into slowing work on the Mini, quite rightly, by family commitments. But the big benefit that brings is the ability to think through problems or situations without the car sat in front of me. 

 

With the fuel tank back out, and knowing I had the backup of a new pump gasket for reassembly if it was okay, I pulled the pump and for the first time, I was able to get a good look in the tank. Unfortunately, it wasn't a pretty sight. Still, better to know than not know, and an order went in a Frost's for a tank cleaning kit. I'm also assuming I need a new pump, especially if the insides look anything like the outside. 

 

I also purchased some fuel stabiliser. With Autumn seemingly upon us, I'm not sure how much use the car will see once it is back on the road, until Spring at least. 

 

Between the front-to-back brake pipe and the rusted on fuel filter bracket, I'm contemplating dropping the rear subframe out. I did it years ago, and had it powder coated. All bolts were refitted well copper greased. 

 

 

 

 

Edited by bcjames, 03 September 2025 - 02:57 PM.

[lsto]

Looks exactly how my pump did. There should be a gauze filter on the end of the pump, mine was a rusty lump at the bottom of the tank. My fuel sender was also a rusty mess so it might be worth checking that before you put the tank together, also if you do change the sender buy a mini spares one, the first one I bought came off eBay and after a few months the floats filled with petrol so the gauge was always showing empty.

Edited by lsto, 04 September 2025 - 07:50 PM.