67 replies to this topic

[Picco]

Hello, I am very new to this forum so I hope get it right....

I have a 1984 silver Austin mini 998; I was driving along and the engine cut out! I restarted the car which took sometime and it was ok, when I approached a traffic light to stop or slowed down at any given time the engine would just cut out. The AA Patroller informed me there was no oil in the engine and the engine had seized! I am very nervous at this stage as I do not know what I should do? And how much its going to cost for repair and so forth.. I do not want to scrap my car as I am very attached to it! Please advise, any suggestions would be most appreciated!

[Stiggytoo]

I would say just replace the engine. 998s can be picked up fairly cheapish.

[Tamworthbay]

The bad news is that the chances are you will need a replacement engine. Engines can seize in various ways, if they are left in storage the rings can stick to the bore and can be freed off by soaking in diesel. An engine that has seized by being run without oil is very different. Two metal surfaces will have have rubbed together until they get so hot that they fuze together. The engine may be repairable but would need to be taken out and stripped. If it is a 998 then it would be cheaper to look for a running engine to put in. If you can do it yourself its not too expensive but would cost a fair bit to get a garage to do it.

[lucas1amps]

it depends if you can do the work yourself you can buy another 998 for anywhere between 20 and 150 quid + to repair it will cost you more like 2k if you give it to someone like Guessworks because it will require a large rebuild! and very labour intensive one at that! a garage properly charge you £200-300 to swap a engine  so worst case scenario i would say 500 including motor and the labour to fit it as your old engine is properly lunched! 

Edited by lucas1amps, 01 September 2013 - 08:54 AM.

[Carlos W]

Have a word with minijosh92, he's in Kent and is likely to be able to supply a 998

Fitting isn't difficult and is easily doable over a weekend with a Haynes manual!

Have you confirmed there's no oil in it?

[jamesmpi]

If you are not confident with changing it or if you are lucky, repairing the engine yourself then you have a couple of options ....

Join a local mini club and ask if anyone can help. Most mini people liked to be paid in beer but even if they do want paying with old fashioned money their rates will be cheaper than most garages. One of them may even have a replacement engine tucked away that you could borrow or or buy.

Option 2 is take it to a local garage and expect a hefty bill (I would guess between £1000 to £2000) depending on materials, parts and labour.

Where in the country are you?

Edited by jamesmpi, 01 September 2013 - 09:02 AM.

[Picco]

Thank you... Unfortunately I'm unable to carry out this task myself, my car has been taken to my garage where they specialise in classic minis. As you both state a new engine might be required subject it does not break the bank I could be satisfied with that but if it can be repaired even better!

[Tamworthbay]

Chances are that finding a new engine will be cheaper. Running 998s can be found for £100 (look in ads on here), that would only be 3-4 hours work time at a garage if you are lucky. The chances of stripping a seized engine and fixing it in less than that (plus cost of parts) is very very small indeed.

[Picco]

Hi Carlos trying to locate minijosh92, but can't seem to locate him on this Forum? How do I go about contacting him... with regards obtaining a 997 engine, thanks!

[Carlos W]

Hi Carlos trying to locate minijosh92, but can't seem to locate him on this Forum? How do I go about contacting him... with regards obtaining a 997 engine, thanks!

 

 

Here's his thread mate

 

http://www.theminifo...ic-mini-spares/

[Andy!]

Thats the good thing about a-series engines, you can pick up the entire engine and gearbox for around 100-200 quid

[Picco]

Thanks guys!!!!

[Alex_B]

Now would be a good time to learn how to swap an engine, i had to repair my diff and managed to get my engine out last weds evening and had it back in repaired Thursday and running Friday afternoon so provided you have it all go smoothly then it shouldn't cost much, at yer it's done it would be a good idea to make sure you are confident checking the basic things like oil level, brake fluid level, clutch fluid, coolant etc :)

[maccers]

Maybe a good time to drop in a 1275cc?

[Stiggytoo]

Nooooooo