101 replies to this topic

[fattasss]

Hi all,

The mini was delivered to me on a flat bed, the car came from repo company without much paperwork,

Ive not contacted the prevous keeper yet because he's miles away....

 

so far I have installed new battery, removed starter and cleaned and refitted, also check the earth terminals,

ive tried attatching a earth strap directly on the starter but still only clicks when I use spanner on rear terminals of the motor,

when I remove starter motor out of the gearbox and test it its moves fine and turns at high speed,

 

ive also tried the rocking method, car in 2nd gear and push forward/backwards still cannot see the fan moving, ive tried a large screwdriver on the flywheel and it don't turn

the above method was tried with the spark plugs removed,  I noticed 3 sparkplugs were very dry and maybe little sign of rust on them. 

 

Whats next,

This is my first mini and really want to get it going.

[wile e coyote]

Sounds to me like your engine has seized - what have you got on your hands here? - was this someone's project car or something that was represented as a neglected runner..... there could be a big difference....if someone has bodged it back together then your problem could be as simple as for example overlong bolts attaching the clutch slave and jamming up the works.... If long stored in damp conditions, or post head gasket blow then your bores could be firmly rusted up....

Personally I'd take the head off and have a squint at  what you've got.....

[fattasss]

Hi,

from what I know the former keeper has owned it from 2009, tax expired nov 2013,

its a 998 engine on V5,  but ive had a mini expert look at it and he says its had a 1300 metro engine fitted, along with electric fuel pump, large brakes servo etc etc..

car is complete in everyway, thers no sign of any attempts made to fix the problem previously,

Car came without a key only a V5,

ive got key made for it, last night while the spark  plugs were removed I put little diesel in the bores and left overnight, I tried moving it in gear but its stiff, no movement,

I need to get hold of the large ring spanner for the crankshaft bolt and try that.

 

Any thing else I need to try before....

[fattasss]

Anyone on here local to luton that has a spanner that will fit on the crankshaft bolt,

My local garage don't have one that big, only sockets and thers not enough space.

[fattasss]

hi, so next step is to remove the head, anyone have advice on what the procedure for this,

[Yoda]

As i said on the phone last night.

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4acfdd6f1e

 

Or just search online for instructions. Its not difficult, but you will need a torque wrench when bolting the head back down and a set of feeler gauges to reset the tappets. Apart from that, a simple tool kit will suffice.

 

The idea of a forum is to accept what answers you get from other members. Act on their advice and come back with the results. You have now been given advice from other members and myself. So please use the forum as it should be. I dont mind giving a bit of advice over the phone but please try not to make a habit of it, particularly out of business hours. Please dont take this the wrong way, but you are the wrong end of the country to be a prospective customer. LOL

 

so far after last nights telephone conversation. It looks like you have an engine that has suffered from Headgasket failure and left to stand unrepaired. Coolant has entered the bores and seized the rings to the bores. Sometimes a little persuasion will get things moving again, but you MUST remove the head and replace the gasket. If there is a serious seizure, then a rebore may be required or maybe just a hone and clean. 

[fattasss]

Many thanks for advice, I gona have a attempt over the weekend and remove the head, in mean time ive written to former keeper and hopefully he will contact me and I can get a better picture of whats happened to the poor mini.

[wile e coyote]

DO NOT WRITE TO THE FORMER KEEPER!!!!

 

- sorry for the dramatic capitalisation...but ...you got the car off a repo company....... without keys.... and now you're proposing to effectively tell a possibly aggrieved  holder of the keys exactly where his / her ex pride and joy is???????????????????????

 

May turn out OK...but not something I would chose to do!!!

[fattasss]

yes, ive written to him to let him know im caring for his yellow toy.

Jus want to get it going, roof down, its a shame its sat on my drive,

anyone got a 1275 engine for me.

[wile e coyote]

Sounds like you've already got one fitted! and far better to work with what you have rather than shelling out more that may not be necessary.... As Yoda says get yourself the Haynes and get that head off - its not a hard job and will hopefully enable you to understand what the problem may be ....... If you haven't; got the tools - get them - it's a mini - you'll ultimately get your money's worth out of all tools you buy!

[fattasss]

Hi,

had a few hours of sun today, so I started to remove the head off the mini,

took around an hour and managed to remove the head its looks in good shape, nothing looks missing or bent, but im not a expert on this sort of stuff,

when I removed the rocker cover I saw that the plastic oil fillercap was slightly melted on to the shaft that sits inside the rocker cover,

apart from that the pistons look ok no holes or anything,

also few days when I put diesel down the bores, the diesel was still sitting on top of the pistons, there is some surface rust in the bores around the pistons.

ive tried car in 2nd gear and giv a little push back and forth and still not moving..

 

whats next thing I need to check..

help needed.

[dklawson]

Next is patient waiting for the diesel to wick into the nooks and crannies.  Days, not hours.

 

Leave the car in gear as mentioned in previous posts.  Every day or so try rocking the car forward and back gently.  If the engine is seized from rust in the bores you may eventually break things free.  Go gently and be patient.  If you are aggressive your efforts may result in broken rings and then you are certainly looking at more expensive repairs.

[fattasss]

[fattasss]

 

 

 

 

Pictures of the engine.

 

Help needed.

Edited by Carlos W, 20 February 2014 - 07:13 PM.

[dklawson]

I looked at your pictures of the head with the gasket remains still attached.  It looks like the gasket failed between 2 & 3 and perhaps even 3 & 4.  The rust indicates it sat like that for a long time and hints that coolant may have entered the bores for 2, 3 & 4.  

 

Per my earlier post, wait patiently for the diesel to wick into the crevices and rock the car daily to both work the diesel in and to eventually break things loose.  Your only other choice is to pull the engine and tear it down to determine what has to be replaced.