18 replies to this topic

[DJMadness29]

Good Morning.

 

So my mini has been off the road for about 8 years due to losing the bug. But decided to get it back running so I can use it as my wedding car. 

 

Replaced the dizzy, coil, leads and plugs, and carried out an oil and filter change. 

 

With a little bit of fettling I've managed to get it running. Only issue is the oil pressure warning light stays on. I have replaced the oil pressure switch this morning and the light is still staying on. I've only really ran the engine for 20 seconds at most. I've checked inside the rocker cover whilst it was running and cannot see any oil moving around in there.

 

So, does this automatically mean that the oil pump is kerput? or could it be it just needs to warm up properly?

 

Its a 1275 cooper block with a missmatch of other bits.

 

Cheers

 

Dan

[sledgehammer]

I would first check things like the oil relief valve sticking open

 

pull the spring / plunger out , give it a polish up , check the seat & fit , reassemble 

 

see what the oil pressure is like after

 

could also be oil drain down over the years

 

so the pump may need re-priming

 

search on here for re-prime details

[dyshipfakta]

Can't see the oil pump will have failed as said I bet it just needs priming up. Might be worth turning it over with plugs out on the starter for abit see if it goes out.

[DJMadness29]

Thanks for your suggestions. 

 

Started to take the pressure relief valve off, got the spring out but the cup bit is stuck in the engine. Doesn't move freely at all.

[sledgehammer]

Thanks for your suggestions. 

 

Started to take the pressure relief valve off, got the spring out but the cup bit is stuck in the engine. Doesn't move freely at all.

 

sounds like a possibility

 

but may also need priming as well

 

if this valve has been stuck open , it may let more air into the gallery , so oil drains down from the pump (all in theory)

[DJMadness29]

Just tried turning the engine over to 'eject' the cup. Not budging at all. Will have to go and get a tap set tomorrow and try to remove it. And get a new cup and spring ordered from MiniSpares. Then I'll try and prime the pump.

 

Starting to remember why I took it off the road in the first place. I'm sure it doesn't like me. lol

[carbon]

Dan,

 

Would concentrate on getting the oil pump primed.

 

Just to check, did you fill the new oil filter with oil before fitting?

[DJMadness29]

To be honest, I didn't. I've never done that for any car I've ever serviced. But then it seems that most of my Mini knowledge has left my brain recently.

 

I have now filled the filter with oil. Will try priming it tomorrow when, hopefully, the rain has stopped. 

 

I've had a search on how to do it and am I right in thinking that you slowly poor oil into the top of the shiney (sorry for the rubbish description my heads a bit blagged at the minute) pipe that goes to the oil filter, put the car into 3rd and slowly push the car backwards?

[carbon]

Dan,

 

OK, takes a while for oil pump to fill an empty filter. Now you have filled it I suggest the following:

- take out all of the spark plugs

- turn the engine over using the starter motor

- keep eye on the yellow oil pressure light

- the oil pressure light should go out after 20 - 30 secs

- once oil pressure is OK replace sparking plugs, start engine

[DJMadness29]

Have tried turning it over with no plugs in for about 45 seconds and the light is still on. Was going to try again but I've had to put the battery on charge again.

[Carlos W]

Check to see if the PRV is stuck, and have a go at priming the pump as mentioned above

[gazza82]

As the OP said yesterday that the release valve is stuck in the block, it's probably stuck partially open hence the low pressure .. that has to be fixed first or you are going to ruin the bearing shells ..

[DJMadness29]

Yep. Pressure relief valve is very much stuck.

 

From what I've read the best way to get it out is to use a tap and carefully tap into the cup section and gently pull out?

 

Will be ordering a replacement anyway.

[DJMadness29]

So, Still struggling to to get the cup out as it seems to be seized solid. Have tried to get a tap into it but can't get it to catch enough. Tried screwdriver and hammer to try and 'shock' it free but not working.

Thinking might be worth trying to get an anchor bolt from B&Q and seeing if I can get it free that way. Don't know where else to go from here though.

[ryomini]

 

modded relief valve, small surface area and many holes, still holds spring

but Keith Calver has the more traditional mod of drilling 3 large holes