19 replies to this topic

[jackog_mayfair]

hi there
i have got an austin mini mayfair and have had this for two weeks. and unfortunately whilst driving to work last Wednesday i heard a rattling noise coming from my engine. the next day it got progressively worse. i took it to a friend who knws a little bit about minis and his first thought was a piston slap. then we did some pressure test. where we took out the spark plugs and tested the compression. the first 2 ( from left to right looking at it) spark plug valves had good compression. the end two didnt. we then poured oil down the 3rd valve and put the compression tester in that one and stared the engine and black smoke came out of the end one. so then we poured oil down the end one ( being the 4th ) and put the compression tester down that and again black smoke came out of the one next to it (being the 3rd valve). so my friend said that i had a blown head gasket. im still not sure.
any ideas?
help needed instanly
thanks.

Edited by jackog_mayfair, 24 April 2011 - 06:00 PM.

[Sprocket]

what were the compression pressure readings from the test? it does sound like the head gasket from what has been described.

Piston slap is not a common probme these days (read that as in the last 30 years or more unless its a diesel)

[jackog_mayfair]

what were the compression pressure readings from the test? it does sound like the head gasket from what has been described.

Piston slap is not a common probme these days (read that as in the last 30 years or more unless its a diesel)

the compression pressure test readings were : the first two valves read 60-70 the end two read 20-30. the thing im worried about is the knocking. it sounds like metal on metal.

[bmcecosse]

You DO NOT start the engine when doing a compression test........ You have blown the head gasket - off with it's head.

[jackog_mayfair]

You DO NOT start the engine when doing a compression test........ You have blown the head gasket - off with it's head.

how sure are you! because this is really annoying because i am 17 just passed my test had the car for a week and now its off the road it sucks catching the bus!

[Gulfclubby]

Owning a mini means learning to be patient. They're not exactly known to be reliable daily driver cars that you buy and forget until they die after 500'000km. Changing a head gasket is neither particularly difficult nor expensive and can be done in a short time. There are far more annoying things that can happen:)

[jackog_mayfair]

Owning a mini means learning to be patient. They're not exactly known to be reliable daily driver cars that you buy and forget until they die after 500'000km. Changing a head gasket is neither particularly difficult nor expensive and can be done in a short time. There are far more annoying things that can happen:)

yer i understand ive ordered a head gasket and that should come on tuesday! and i now people who can fit it for me! i just hope it is a head gasket and not a piston slap!

[JustSteve]

yer i understand ive ordered a head gasket and that should come on tuesday! and i now people who can fit it for me! i just hope it is a head gasket and not a piston slap!

Why don't you have a go yourself? It's not a hard thing really.

[jackog_mayfair]

yer i understand ive ordered a head gasket and that should come on tuesday! and i now people who can fit it for me! i just hope it is a head gasket and not a piston slap!

Why don't you have a go yourself? It's not a hard thing really.

i will! ill do it with the person who actually knows how to but i will learn and do it with him.

[bmcecosse]

You hardly have to 'order' a head gasket - just walk into your local parts place and pick one up! I hope it's not the same person helping who obviously does NOT know how to use a compression tester.

[Sprocket]

It's not piston slap

[jackog_mayfair]

It's not piston slap

how sure are you!? i think it is because of the knocking noise it makes. it sounds like metal on metal!

[Sprocket]

do you know what piston slap is?

[jackog_mayfair]

do you know what piston slap is?

isnt it where the piston from side to side against the cylinder whilst moving up and down? causing it to make a knocking noise!?

[bmcecosse]

You seem so certain - it must be piston slap then! New engine required.
Meantime - just for fun - have the head off the old one - just to satisfy our curiosity.