7 replies to this topic

[floss]

Hey Guys

The template on this went a bit crazy and I couldn't delete it. Anyways.

So my mini has developed a squeak from the head somewhere. I thought it was the rockers but a friend of mine helped me pull the rockers off and swap them out with another set. The squeak went away for about 5 minutes but has now come back. It is a lot less now but still troubling me.

I think that it might be the valve springs but I don't know. In your educated minds, what else could it be??

David


~~~~~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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Model: Year: Description of problem (please be as in depth as possible): Any non-standard parts that might be involved with the problem?

[tommy13]

The only likely source of a squeak in that area is the rocker arms. I have come across this before when the oil feed is blocked. If you run the engine at low revs with the rocker cover off you should be able to see oil dripping from the rocker arms.

[floss]

Hi Tommy,

Thanks for your reply.
Ichanged over the rocker arms and the squeaking stopped for a while but is now back. It stopeed for about 10 minutes.
If something is blocked in both shafts it would be pretty unlucky I think.

Maybe something is blocked in the head hole that feeds the rocker shaft.

Could didgy oil have something to do with this or maybe low oil pressure? I don't think I have low oil pressure or dodgy oil but asking the questions anyway.

Thanks again

David

[bmcecosse]

The whole lot should be soaked in oil - is it ? If not - don't run the engine till you find the problem.

Edited by bmcecosse, 14 November 2010 - 12:25 AM.

[floss]

Hi Mate,

Thanks for the reply.

It would be soaked with oil after a drive? or after just running it to warm?

I got an oil can with a pump in it today and it seems that the squeak goes away when I oil the bottom of the tappet/top of the push rod. It could be from the oil running down the push rods or something.

The oil in the engine is about 1 year / 1.5 years old but the car has not been running. I am doing an oil change and filter change to get all that oil out of the engine and get some new fresh stuff in to the engine.

If the head is not getting enough oil how would you go about working out what is wrong?

DC

[Stevie W]

Hi,

If you've swapped out new rockers etc did you change the rocker posts? (a little dangerous because the post nuts release the clamping pressure on the head gasket).

Even after start up and a few seconds running there should be plenty of oil in the rocker box area with all rockers/springs and the rocker shaft soaked in oil.

If your oil pressure is good and rises quickly once the engine has started then the oil pressure should be more than enough to force oil up onto the rockers. On the rocker post nearest the fan there is a hole through the post which should match up with the oil feed hole in the head to supply the much needed oil.

Cheers,

Steve.

[bmcecosse]

You say it's 'not been running' - so possibly - there is no oil pressure in the engine if the pump needs priming! I suggest you remove the spark plugs - and crank the engine on the starter until you DO get oil pressure. Even when idling - there should be copious oil all over the rockers.

[floss]

Hi Guys,

I drained the oil yesterday and I am going to do an oil change and filter swap out tonight. The oil has barely been used but it has been sitting for a while so I think its a good idea to swap it out. Can't hurt anything except my wallet.

I will turn it over without spark plugs and see what happens. Will the rockers prime with oil even without the rocker cover on?

I don't have an oil pressure gauge so I am not sure how else to know if I have pressure.
I will be getting one as I think it is pretty important to know.
Thanks again for the input. I will let you know how it goes.

David