So had compression tested yesterday and 2 abd 3 cylinders were running 30 / 40 psi 1 and 4 was 130 / 150. The car is with my mechanic, he said he doesnt know what is wrong as he hasnt stripped it yet. I just want to have some ideas of what it could be and how much its going to set me back. We have spoken and he doesnt think its a head gasket as there no white liquid in the oil. I am losing water fast. So what could it be? There is no leak in radiator, heater, hoses.
Any suggestions?
Mini 998 Failed Compression Test
Started by
Kingham
, Nov 16 2016 01:38 PM
22 replies to this topic
#2
nicklouse
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Moved Into The Garage
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Posted 16 November 2016 - 01:52 PM
head gasket.
blown between cylinders, not to oil or water,
#3
jamesquintin
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Posted 16 November 2016 - 01:53 PM
If 2/3 both have low PSI, then the head gasket has gone between the cylinders...
Easy job to do yourself if you have the tools!
#4
Kingham
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Posted 16 November 2016 - 01:53 PM
head gasket.
blown between cylinders, not to oil or water,
How much is the repair? Its mainly gunna be the labour thats the cost right?
#5
absx2
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One Carb Or Two?
Posted 16 November 2016 - 01:54 PM
I suggest you find another mechanic as you are losing water fast and the middle two cylinders are not holding compression due to the head gasket being blown and compressing the water jacket.
There does not have to be water contamination in the oil to have a failed gasket.
It seems blatantly obvious what the issue is so I worry that you may end up paying more for someones inexperience.
Use only Payen or Rover branded head gaskets or you will be back again in six months with the same problem
#6
dyshipfakta
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Camshaft & Stage Two Head
Posted 16 November 2016 - 01:59 PM
If your mechanic can't work out that...
#7
Kingham
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Posted 16 November 2016 - 03:32 PM
Thanks for your responses i may have worded it differently, but my mechanic said it could be head gasket but he wants to take the head off first. He did work for leyland i think he knows what hes talking about. I just asked for your opinion on what was wrong because he hasnt got back to me today yet. Appreciate your feedback
#8
gazza82
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Posted 16 November 2016 - 03:37 PM
... as you are losing water fast ..
OP said that wasn't the case
But I agree on the mechanic front ..
most likely he's never worked on a classic and doesn't know where to start
OR
he doesn't want to work on a classic and is stalling ..
and waiting for OP to take the car somewhere else.
Edited by gazza82, 16 November 2016 - 03:38 PM.
#9
Kingham
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Posted 16 November 2016 - 03:57 PM
... as you are losing water fast ..
OP said that wasn't the case
But I agree on the mechanic front ..
most likely he's never worked on a classic and doesn't know where to start
OR
he doesn't want to work on a classic and is stalling ..
and waiting for OP to take the car somewhere else.
Sorry mate, i wrote it wrong I forgot to mention he worked for British leyland and hes a family friend and has his own minis, im just a newbie with the minis! I love them but still getting to grips with them.
#10
dyshipfakta
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Camshaft & Stage Two Head
Posted 16 November 2016 - 03:57 PM
Just as a side note this seems to be a very common mode of failure for the a series. Gasket failure between 2 and 3.
#11
Kingham
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Posted 16 November 2016 - 04:06 PM
Just as a side note this seems to be a very common mode of failure for the a series. Gasket failure between 2 and 3.
Cheers for the help, hopefully nothing to panic about
#12
gazza82
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Posted 16 November 2016 - 05:30 PM
#13
Darwinism
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Posted 16 November 2016 - 05:52 PM
head gasket.
blown between cylinders, not to oil or water,
How much is the repair? Its mainly gunna be the labour thats the cost right?
I'm a total noob also, had a similar issue recently. It took me a hour to get the head off and around 90 mins to re fit it, that's not including the valve clearances which I really struggled with. My guess is that a good mechanic could do the whole thing in a hour and a half, so £60+ VAT, then £10-15 for your head gasket.
#14
gazza82
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Posted 17 November 2016 - 05:10 PM
Depends where you mechanic is based .. around London it's probably closer to £80-90 per hour now .. and you have to find one who can work with a classic ..
#15
Darwinism
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Posted 18 November 2016 - 12:14 AM
Depends where you mechanic is based .. around London it's probably closer to £80-90 per hour now .. and you have to find one who can work with a classic ..
WOW! My god that's extortionate! How can a mechanic justify earning more than teachers, doctors and soldiers. £40ph is more than enough, it's almost worth towing your car up north for any big jobs.
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