10 replies to this topic

[OllyD]

I've got a bit of a problem with my mini when going up slight inclines. I've got a standard 998 thats done over 110K , and when on dual carriagways and the like, as soon as the road becomes andything steeper than totally flat, I start to max out at 50mph in 4th. It doesn't have to be steep, just a slightly raised gradient in the road to get the engine working. I find i have to drop down into 3rd, hitting ridiculously high revs (not sure how high, don't have a counter, but the engine screams) just to avoid slowing down any further. I can usually cruise along at 60-70mph on flats, and have hit 80mph once or twice downhill (and slowed down quickly when the smell of burning started to come out of the engine).


Is this normal for the car to struggle so much? It kinda feels like an old donkey really straining its guts out when it's got anything of an extended hill to tackle. Is it just old and knackered or am I likely to have a specific problem that can be tackled?

Thanks for your help!

[Leonard]

give it a service and set all the tappet clearances, points gap etc

[Big_Adam]

110,000 ?!?!?! thats close to the end of its life isn't it. bloody good service then as Mr Leonard suggests. and perhaps a RR tune up.

[Pavel]

I would not splash out on a RR tune up for such a tired engine. Waste of money if you ask me. You can find 998s in quite reasonable nick for near free, would probably make more sense to get one and install it with a service...

[Big_Adam]

really. were from. i could do with a new 998 or at lest and unleaded one.

[OllyD]

I'm all for getting a new one, as my knowledge of engines could be summerisared on the edge of a stamp.

Where would be the best place to get one? Ebay, or am I just asking to be tricked into paying money for old rope?

[minislapper]

really. were from. i could do with a new 998 or at lest and unleaded one.

It's only the head which is unleaded ! And, yes, complete 998's are cheap to pick up as a lot people 'upgrade' to a 1275.

To the original poster, I would definitely look out for a replacement engine or look to getting yours rebored. It sounds very tired indeed and probably not worth throwing lots of money at it to be honest.

I'm all for getting a new one, as my knowledge of engines could be summerisared on the edge of a stamp.

Where would be the best place to get one? Ebay, or am I just asking to be tricked into paying money for old rope?

Put up a wanted ad on a few of the forums and see what comes up. I suspect people don't bother advertising 998's a lot of the time as they think nobody wants them. Ebay is ok but you ideally need to know where the engine is coming from and hear it running if you can or you could end up with a real dog.

[OllyD]

cheers for all the info guys.

When looking for a new 998, what kind of mileage bracket would be good to look for.Obviously the lower the better, but what's a reasonable expectation and at what price?

Also, what kinda things am I going to be looking for when I hear it running? All i know is the sound of my own engine, and if that's pretty knackered as you say, what would a healthy engine sound like?

[minislapper]

A 'known' engine even with reasonably high mileage is going to be better than something where you have no idea of how it's been looked after.

If you are completely unsure, get someone who does know what they're 'listening' for to go with you. There is no way you can describe sounds on a forum !

[OllyD]

Ha, that's what a poorly worded question gets you . What i meant to ask was, is there anywhere i might be able to hear a quality sound file of a healthy 998?

[miniboo]

there are always people on here getting rid of 998's for free looking in the shopping forums and keep your eyes peeled for

"998 engine and box FREE to whoever collects"