6 replies to this topic

[Minimavis]

Hi all

I'm new to the forum as have thus far only been tinkering with my mini.

I have a 1984 Mini Mayfair in silver. She was bought off a young lad who had "pimped" her - and then ripped out his efforts before selling. Fortunately she is fairly sound in body and mechanics, but she was running strangely, choking at speed and sometimes losing power before catching again. With that in mind - and knowing she'd been SORN'd for nine months before I got her - I decided to clean the carburettor, replace gaskets etc and to replace all the spark plugs and leads. So far so good, however I've hit a snag. I replaced the jet as the old one was leaking - turned out the plastic tube was split where the spring had pierced it. However, after fitting the new one, it is leaking from where the pipe fits into the float chamber. I've checked and even replaced the rubber gland and washer, but it still leaks.

Is there a trick to this that I'm missing?? Or am I actually missing a part..?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as this is my first attempt at working on my Mini, and am hoping to be able to do other straightforward bits in the future - something sorely needed to replace the mess the previous owner left her in!

Below is a pic of the tube and washer/gland etc, in case that helps!

Thanks

Emily


 image.jpg   66.14K   17 downloads

[dklawson]

It looks like you have all the right pieces.  Perhaps they were not in the correct order.  

 

FIrst look inside the tapped hole in the bowl to make sure no residue or part of the old rubber gland has been left behind.  Make sure the bowl entrance is clean and free of debris.

 

Place the nut on the tube, then the washer, and finally the rubber gland.  Insert the plastic tube into the float bowl until it stops, then hold it in place.  Slip the nut forward so it pushes the gland and washer into the bowl, then tighten the nut (still holding the plastic tube in place).  When you tighten the nut it will press against the washer causing the gland to be compressed both outwardly against the bowl and inwardly against the tube to make the necessary seal.  

[Minimavis]

Thanks for the reply.
It's good to hear I have all the parts - even if the pic is upside down... Sorry!
Possibly daft question, but should the washer and rubber gland fit over the end of the tube? They came with the new jet and yet don't appear to fit. Or is it a case if bend, stretch, wedge and wiggle until they fit?
I want her going again!
Thanks
Emily

[grck1]

nice helpful video here

 

[dklawson]

Great video!  Thanks for posting that. 

 

Minimavis, if the video doesn't address your questions post back with additional questions.

[Minimavis]

Fantastic! Thank you for that - I think I need another new o ring, because mine won't slide over. Great video though - I'll be saving that!
Thank you all for your help!

[dklawson]

As a footnote to the video and this conversation... in general, when people say "o-ring" they usually mean one with a round cross-section.  That is not what this seal is or should be.  This seal is square in cross-section so it can maximize the contact area between the flat washer and the seat in the float bowl.

 

You can use an o-ring in a pinch to get going but replace it with the "right" soon.  If you are in my situation and find NO Mini or British car suppliers are in your area, there is a workaround.  Buy a short length of 3/16" inside diameter fuel hose (low pressure for carbs, not fuel injection).  Take a razor blade and cut off a 1/8" [3mm] thick donut slice of the fuel hose.  Carefully use the razor blade to split the outer jacket of the fuel hose.  Peel off the outer jacket and intermediate fiber reinforcing braid leaving just the core.  You now have a perfect replacement for the original seal.  Being made of fuel hose, it is fully compatible with the environment.