31 replies to this topic

[crackfoo]

How long would it take to kill your head gasket? I topped up mine with prestone a few weeks ago and I think it might be the cause of my engine failing to start now... It wasn't too much though... But would that eventually cause a fail to start problem?

[KernowCooper]

If you topped up with OAT type and you have Ethylene Glycol in the system then very quickly the 2 will produce a white egg like substance floating around in the cooling system and choking the rad core, the time scale you describe other than the egg like stuff I would think it would not have done much else, unless it choked the radiator and caused the car to overheat and blow the headgasket.

 

Have you done a basic check of points and ignition to ensure its not the issue, and fueling. I would reverse flush the cooling system and get the mix out and then fill with Bluecol (Ethylene Glycol)

[crackfoo]

Well, when I looked in now,  the coolant level is down below the fins inside so I can't really tell. I've ordered a new gasket as it was running just fine before I replaced the main power battery cable. But did then sit for a couple weeks while that was sorted.

 

Not sure when the gasket will arrive... should I get the system flushed ASAP even before I get the new gasket?

[MiniMoe2008]

How long would it take to kill your head gasket? I topped up mine with prestone a few weeks ago and I think it might be the cause of my engine failing to start now... It wasn't too much though... But would that eventually cause a fail to start problem?

I've had Prestone in my mini for about 3 years now, and never had an issue. Maybe its just coincidence that its failing?

[cal844]

I use the orange antifreeze, its been fine in our cars for 2 years

[crackfoo]

 

How long would it take to kill your head gasket? I topped up mine with prestone a few weeks ago and I think it might be the cause of my engine failing to start now... It wasn't too much though... But would that eventually cause a fail to start problem?

I've had Prestone in my mini for about 3 years now, and never had an issue. Maybe its just coincidence that its failing?

 

 

I'll do a compression test today to make for certain. I saw a post here that said to avoid all prestone products. I didn't really think twice about it as that is what it said on my rad cap... Perhaps is could be just a coincidence. When I check the oil it doesn't look like it has mixed with any coolant. I really have no idea what was in there before as when I topped it up it was below where I could see what it was. This was the kind I used *click*

Edited by crackfoo, 30 December 2014 - 12:45 PM.

[MiniMoe2008]

 

 

How long would it take to kill your head gasket? I topped up mine with prestone a few weeks ago and I think it might be the cause of my engine failing to start now... It wasn't too much though... But would that eventually cause a fail to start problem?

I've had Prestone in my mini for about 3 years now, and never had an issue. Maybe its just coincidence that its failing?

 

 

I'll do a compression test today to make for certain. I saw a post here that said to avoid all prestone products. I didn't really think twice about it as that is what it said on my rad cap... Perhaps is could be just a coincidence. When I check the oil it doesn't look like it has mixed with any coolant. I really have no idea what was in there before as when I topped it up it was below where I could see what it was. This was the kind I used *click*

 

They both say 50/50. I use this one http://www.autozone....ant/233578_0_0/ Looking at the descriptions, they are both the same. I've never had issues with Preston and its widely used in the states.

[crackfoo]

 

They both say 50/50. I use this one http://www.autozone....ant/233578_0_0/ Looking at the descriptions, they are both the same. I've never had issues with Preston and its widely used in the states.

 

 

 

Interesting. Well. seems my head gasket may be fine after all. all 4 register 180-182psi. 

[MiniMoe2008]

Will it just not start at all? I recently had my mini spark but would not ignite. It would crank over, and spark on all 4 plugs, but it would just not ignite. I thought maybe the timing had gone bad. (When I checked the dizzy, the whole assembly moved) so I thought the firing sequence must be off set. That was good, points and all. I finally gave up and called my landlord for help. He use to race minis here in Italy. He was able to determine that the stater had failed. He did a quick check using the jump starter and it wouldn't rotate. The brush assemblies had worn out. He replaced them for me and cleaned up the whole thing. 20 Euros later and a lesson on how to fix it next time!! I would recommend you check that. Let us know what exactly what you are getting and not getting. Happy New Years by the way

[crackfoo]

Will it just not start at all? I recently had my mini spark but would not ignite. It would crank over, and spark on all 4 plugs, but it would just not ignite. I thought maybe the timing had gone bad. (When I checked the dizzy, the whole assembly moved) so I thought the firing sequence must be off set. That was good, points and all. I finally gave up and called my landlord for help. He use to race minis here in Italy. He was able to determine that the stater had failed. He did a quick check using the jump starter and it wouldn't rotate. The brush assemblies had worn out. He replaced them for me and cleaned up the whole thing. 20 Euros later and a lesson on how to fix it next time!! I would recommend you check that. Let us know what exactly what you are getting and not getting. Happy New Years by the way

 

Yeah, won't start up at all. I started this thread about it: click

 

thnx, Happy New Year!

Edited by crackfoo, 31 December 2014 - 05:12 PM.

[MiniMoe2008]

check that starter man. Sounds all the same to what happened to mine. If you can find a spare.... I or a friend close by to try and swap just for troubleshooting purposes I would. Takes all but 5 minutes to get the stater out and swapped.

Edited by MiniMoe2008, 31 December 2014 - 05:28 PM.

[crackfoo]

check that starter man. Sounds all the same to what happened to mine. If you can find a spare.... I or a friend close by to try and swap just for troubleshooting purposes I would. Takes all but 5 minutes to get the stater out and swapped.

 

Def no one close by or a spare around here. I would hazard a guess that there are only a couple dozen of them even in a 300Km radius of where I live. I've only ever seen 1-2 around the city over the past few years.

Edited by crackfoo, 31 December 2014 - 05:40 PM.

[MiniMoe2008]

 

check that starter man. Sounds all the same to what happened to mine. If you can find a spare.... I or a friend close by to try and swap just for troubleshooting purposes I would. Takes all but 5 minutes to get the stater out and swapped.

 

Def no one close by or a spare around here. I would hazard a guess that there are only a couple dozen of them even in a 300Km radius of where I live. I've only ever seen 1-2 around the city over the past few years.

 

If I could drive there, I would to help you out. Sorry man. try doing a voltage test on all components then do the stater test.

[crackfoo]

 

If I could drive there, I would to help you out. Sorry man. try doing a voltage test on all components then do the stater test.

 

 

 

Hey no worries. I'll check the volts again when it warms up a bit as well as pull the earth straps off and brush them up so they for sure get a good connection. Been -5 to -10C around here lately (-14 now )which I'm sure isn't helping and sucks to be out tinkering with engine bits. 

[MiniMoe2008]

yeah cold weather also affects start up. If I could get an optima battery here, without costing me an arm and a leg, I would, LOL  and damn that's cold up there.

Edited by MiniMoe2008, 01 January 2015 - 10:44 AM.