2 replies to this topic

[dazoliver]

Hi All,

I used to be a member of the NEMC about 8 years ago but due to work commitments I moved away from the area about 6 years ago. My mini which I spent about 3500 on over a 3 year period including a full rebuild and a lot of extra was left at my parents covered up as it wasnt pracitcal with the move.

I have recently returned back to the area and went to see the mini. It hasnt really faired well in the time its stood. Some of the paint has cracked, some rust bits are starting to bubble up and it obviously hasnt ran for 6 years. In fact it was MOTd by the mini garage in sunderland who then returned it back to me. I never drove it after that and the MOT sheet is still sitting on the back seat.

I put jumps on it but it didnt start and instead just had a fast ticking noise when I turned the key. Ive got zero spare cash at the moment as well as myself and my wife have recently had twins so finances are more than just tight. I dont know if its the battery, or the solenoid or the starter motor or even something else. I guess the petrol will have gone off now and itll need the oils sorting and possibly even the engine or brakes or even both may have seized. My mechanical skills are nowhere near good enough to even fathom out any of that and unfortunately at the moment I can even afford to get it to a garage to be looked at. I just dont want it to deteriorate any further.

I spent too much money on it initially to let it just go to ruin. I have a feeling though with my financial situation its just gonna deteriorate further. I just really want to get it started, running so I can move it just forwards and backwards. I am not even too concerned with getting it MOTd or taxed at the moment or even sorting the cosmetic side of it because I think I could probably get that done in time.

It has been pretty much fully chromed up, clear lights, lots of other chrome extras, full stainless steel exhaust, it had brand new minilites on it and it was fitted with a 1300 rebuilt engine by the mini garage about 3 months before it was layed up 6 years ago. I would love any help anyone could give me with this as my technical knowledge is zero really when it comes to cars. I dont even need to use it as everyday transport, its more about trying to preserve it as it is at the moment and then to restore the body, paint etc when I can.

Anyway, I seem like im rambling a bit. I would love in time to get it back on the road and get back to the mini mania shows. Ive got the stickers in the windows of the mini for the ones I have attended. The back part of the boot seems to resemble papier mache now and will def need replacing and probably a load more welding on top of a pile of probable mechanical replacements im gonna need!

[mk1leg]

Hi..and welcome back to the world of minis and TMF and enjoy ....as for your poor mini thats what a cover does it collects all the dampness out of the air and then transfer that to the body and leaves a black mildue wich attracs more moisture and before you know you've got a rust spot and so on...........I'm sure you will have this mini back to how it looked soon............good luck............

[toplessmini]

Welcome, sorry to hear about you Mini . There are many people on here that can help with solving any problems you might have