13 replies to this topic

[Gunnsie]

Hi All, I put the front of the car on the ramps late lastnight to try and find out where a blowing noise is coming from. It seems to be coming from the back of the engine, below the carb. Do any of you know what this might be and if it will be a big job to fix it?? I didn't have much light and I'm not overly knowledgable about the engines, so any help would be much appreciated.

It's a 1994 1275 Automatic Sprite

Cheers! Chris

Edited by Gunnsie, 07 March 2012 - 09:36 AM.

[Gunnsie]

Anyone??

[Tahiti Joe]

Back of the engine below the carb? Why thats right where the exhaust manifold is!
Most probably manifold sealing problem, or check the Y-Piece, there pretty common for blowing there...

What exhaust system is it?

[freshairmini]

Get some more light!

easy answer

[Gunnsie]

Back of the engine below the carb? Why thats right where the exhaust manifold is!
Most probably manifold sealing problem, or check the Y-Piece, there pretty common for blowing there...

What exhaust system is it?

I've only had the car for about 4 months and the previous owner was a woman with family, so I'm guessing it's just the standard exhaust.

Would you recommend I take it to a garage rather than tackle it myself being such a novice?

Cheers!

Chris

[big.dave.666]

Try starting car when it's cold and put your hands there to feel the blow and will give u a good idea where it's coming from ... Not a big job just a tricky job

[freshairmini]

its not difficult to check if the exhaust is blowing. Jack it up and feel around all the exhaust joints. Should be pretty obvious.

If it isn't the joints then you could think about taking it a garage. Saves your money that way.

But if it is blowing, they're not difficult to take apart, re-paste (exhaust paste) and attach together again. Was the first job I did on mine (on my first mini as well) and was pretty straight forward.

[Gunnsie]

Get some more light!

easy answer

Garage-en-bloc, no electricity, only have battaery powered light, plus work during the day, so only have evenings or weekends to work on the car.

Try starting car when it's cold and put your hands there to feel the blow and will give u a good idea where it's coming from ... Not a big job just a tricky job

Good idea, thanks.

its not difficult to check if the exhaust is blowing. Jack it up and feel around all the exhaust joints. Should be pretty obvious.

If it isn't the joints then you could think about taking it a garage. Saves your money that way.

But if it is blowing, they're not difficult to take apart, re-paste (exhaust paste) and attach together again. Was the first job I did on mine (on my first mini as well) and was pretty straight forward.

OK, thanks.... will give the 'Feel test' a go and if I can't find anything I'll get on the phone to the garage.

It's blady typical it starts to go just before I'm due to attend Brooklands Show.

Chris

[Tahiti Joe]

It's blady typical it starts to go just before I'm due to attend Brooklands Show.

Chris

Brooklands isnt until the end of the month, a blowing exhaust is an easy thing too fix, especially with that amount of time!

[yousmeg]

all the advice here is right, just make sure you go out there psyched-up & prepared for an INCREDIBLY TEDIOUS job!

[Gunnsie]

It's blady typical it starts to go just before I'm due to attend Brooklands Show.

Chris

Brooklands isnt until the end of the month, a blowing exhaust is an easy thing too fix, especially with that amount of time!

But as mentioned above, I only have evenings and weekends to work on the Mini in a dark garage with no electricity etc.

all the advice here is right, just make sure you go out there psyched-up & prepared for an INCREDIBLY TEDIOUS job!

It looks pretty tight all round the back... I'm guessing it's gonna take me a fair amount of time to sort it out then?

Chris

[yousmeg]

It looks pretty tight all round the back... I'm guessing it's gonna take me a fair amount of time to sort it out then?

Chris

20 mins should be long enough, with a ratchet, if you are using spanners then take a cup of tea!

[Gunnsie]

I'd be betting on you fitting a stage 1 kit after doing this job, most do.

Trying to twist the wife's arm in to letting me buy one (it's ultimately her car, but I do all the work on it and drive it most).... but we've got a few other things to pay out for at the mo.... trying to move house!!

Chris

[Gunnsie]

Chris just make her do this job, then explain how much easier if you have a freeflow exhaust manifold. ;)

LOL.... nails would get broken, followed by my nose probably!!