14 replies to this topic

[Tim2cv]

My first Mini!

 

He is called Skippy because I spent the majority of the evening/night of Australia day waiting for breakdown recovery after collecting him!

 

 

After 5 hrs, various visits from breakdown people we finally made it home at nearly midnight. Up to the point of breakdown things were great, lovely car to drive.

 

Car needs various little rust areas treating, some bigger areas replacing long term and for me to shed this cold and get out there and get it running again!

 

Just started missing then cut-out on the A38. I am guessing fuel related or something simple ignition wise as going fine until then. It hasn't been used really in the last 12 years other than to MOT this year so I was risking it a bit for a first drive the 30 miles home (in the dark, cold and damp)

 

Expect lots of help posts and questions as I am a true newbie to Minis.

 

Tim

 

 

 

 

 

[!3UMBLEBEE]

So it started eventful for you. I'm jealous though you've already had a mini adventure haha. Looks good though!!

[Tim2cv]

Well I found some time and the breakdown was caused by lack of use. The insides of the tank look like it was stored on the Titanic and the carb has more silt in it than the local canal. I have started to clean out the carb, fuel lines and have bought some filters to fit inline.

 

Next question is what to do with the tank. New ones are pricey & I cant be sure that any on eBay will be better than mine (although they cant be much worse!). Do they make replica tanks in plastic? Any ideas/suggestions?

 

I need to get the original tank out anyway but I can get the car running off a can to prove a point. (Pics to follow)

 

Tim

[Tim2cv]

Fuel tank insides

 

 

 

New Quadoptic lights but with yellow bulbs (all my classic cars have had them!)

 

 

 

Just took a risk and bought an EBay tank to replace the one above, at least I can assess and clean or seal it if required with it off the car. New sender and seals on order too.

 

I will get out driving this soon!

[Tim2cv]

This was a pic form turning the engine over briefly with a filter fitted before carb, just to see how bad things were...

 

 

[Tim2cv]

few pics from me

 

 

 

 

Replacement tank to go in soon! Hopefully get him running very soon!

[bpirie1000]

Seen a lot worse petrol tanks...

Have a look at this stuff..

http://www.frost.co..../?q=Petrol tank

Personally I would flush it out with stream of pressured fluid...

Dry it out and even tie wrap some bolts together, put in tank and let it rattle about to get the rest of the loose stuff out...
(Actually had a tank in the rear of a mates drift car for months)

And looks a good buy... Always handy knowing yer local break down guy.....(speed dial #1)

Edited by bpirie1000, 28 February 2015 - 08:30 PM.

[Tim2cv]

Thanks for the suggestion.
I had Skippy running on the weekend! Only off a fuel can but nothing to say when I buy some fuel he won't run off the tank. Few seals need replacing on the carb before road use but he started fine (even after nearly 6 weeks of no use) and ticked over without choke easily! More pics soon.

Few questions:
Where does the fuel return from the carb go as it's not back to the tank?
Where do I find my paint code or what is the paint colour or code for my car?

Cheers
Tim

[Ben_O]

It's quite unusual to see the boot area in such condition behind the tank. If i was you, i would consider rubbing that whole area down behind the tank, clean it right up and then re-seal and paint before refitting the tank. Then you can be sure that you won't have any problems with rust in a commonly neglected area.

 

Looks like a nice mini too!

[Tim2cv]

Thanks, i was pleasantly surprised when I removed the tank too! Shame the rest of it isn't in such good condition.

 

Few more questions generally.

 

I looked at the VIN plate which has the following info:

Rover Group Limited

03101T

SAXXL2S1O********

I am confused as my car is a 1992 K Mini City E but it doesn’t really tie up with any VIN decoders I’ve seen online for 1990 onwards, plus the insurance company thought my car was 1990… why I don’t know. Could it be a 1990 car that sat around before being registered in 1992? Is there any way to know if it is a private reg or had its plate changed?

Am I reading / decoding the VIN all wrong?

Is there anywhere that you can ask for build spec data for a specific car? I am just after some more background info about my Mini.

 

Thanks

 

Tim

Edited by myredmini, 09 March 2015 - 04:36 PM.
Edited vin number for security reasons!

[myredmini]

I have deleted out some of you're VIN number for security reasons, not recommended to post it on a public forum for you're cars safety.

 

Regards

Dan

TMF Team

[Tim2cv]

Thanks, wasn't thinking.

 

Just checked and the log book says 1st registered 1992...

[Tim2cv]

Have spent ages searching forums and the internet and I cant find any VIN decoder that matches my cars VIN.

 

 

Think I've sorted it.... finally!

Edited by Tim2cv, 10 March 2015 - 07:21 AM.

[Tim2cv]

Still got some running issues. Starts and idles great, revs ok too. It's when you try and drive or hold the revs it chokes and dies. Have checked needle and carb cleanliness and all ok. Plugs are dark and rich running. Need to check timing and points over next to find the problem.

[Tim2cv]

Some pics... comments welcomed!

 

1. Any ideas what this is?

 

2. managed to get the filler rubber back on!

 

3. Easy to change for pretty stainless?

 

4. normal?

 

5. What's supposed to support this?

 

6. Is this normal? Spaghetti wiring behind the grill

 

7. I am not one for points... what's all this about?

 

8. More mystery

 

9. Where can I get a bracket for an alloy rocker cover to support this pipe?

 

It's still not running right... Video here

 

https://www.facebook...&type=3

 

Any ideas? Thanks in advance