14 replies to this topic

[minijules]

ok, so i just aquired a lovely little mini, its a 79 model and i just wanted to know how you tell if its leaded or unleaded, it just says petrol on the V5 and the person i bought it of had about 50 mini's (the one i got from him had been in a barn for 14years or so) so couldn't give me a 100% certain answer.

I've put regular petrol in as you can imagine but dont want to put additive in unless i'm sure it needs it.

thanks in advance

[Archa]

do you have the engine number?

If so put it through this database, it should let you know what it is. - that's the easy way.

[Archa]

http://www.guess-wor...Tech/engine.htm

forgot to add the link LOL

[matt615]

A 1979 would have been built with a leaded engine. It might have had a different engine fitted, or converted to unleaded. However that's probably unlikely if it's not been used for 14 years. Leaded petrol was still readily available in 1998.

Edited by matt615, 06 November 2012 - 11:22 PM.

[minijules]

where would i find the engine no. ? i know probably on the engine but where on the engine? on the main block covered in grease?

[matt615]

do you have the engine number?

If so put it through this database, it should let you know what it is. - that's the easy way.

That only tells you if it was originally built to run on leaded petrol. It my have had an unleaded head fitted since.

The only way to tell for sure is to remove the head and see if it has hardened valve seats fitted. However as I said above it's unlikely, and using an additive won't do any harm even if it doesn't need it.

[minijules]

well, i'll check anyway just incase it was an unleaded head on it originaly

[Archa]

It's this plate located in front of the spark plug for cylinder number 1, check this first and if it was fitted with unleaded as standard then there you go. :)

If it shows up as leaded then go further as to check if it has hardened valve seats as matt said.

I'll have a little search around and see If i can get you any more information on the matter. :)

[minijules]

cool, well i'll do that 1st thing in the morning, tis cold in (Hertfordshire) and let you all know how i get on

[minijules]

It doesn't say whether its leaded or unleded????

[minijules]

http://www.guess-wor...O=&EN_NO=378574

[AVV IT]

As stated above, a 79 model won't be unleaded as they weren't introduced until the late 80's. If the head has been converted to unleaded, you won't be able to tell this from the engine number, you would have to remove the head and e amine the valve seats. The only way the engine number will be of use is if the car happens to have had an unleaded donor engine fitted, from a later model.

[bmcecosse]

Don't worry about it - just run it on unleaded, it will be fine. And no silly additives..... But DO check the valve gaps and set inlets to 12 thou and exhausts to 15 thou. And check/reset them every 3000 miles or so. If you hear the engine pinking (faint tinkle/rattle noise when accelerating) then retard the ignition timing very slightly, until there is no pinking.

Edited by bmcecosse, 07 November 2012 - 03:15 PM.

[minijules]

well, i just bought it, and to be honest it is a bit rough (noisy) however, next week, i plan on taking it to get looked at by a mate (mechanic) and see if they can tune it, and make it run that bit sweeter, hopefuly get it on a rolling road too, and while they're doing that i think i'll ask them to check the head.

Thanks all for your help, much appreciated and i'm sure i'll be asking more soon!

[Ethel]

Checking the head will cost you a new gasket so don't bother unless you are going to do something while the head is off. As BMC says, it's not going to suddenly fail. You can try a fuel additive, it may pay for itself in better mpg - a proper one not lead shot passed off as magic beans.