5 replies to this topic

[Robdavmtb]

Hi

My friend has just bought a mini and doing a oil change we found small little flakes or brass or bronze.
Where could these come from???

Thanks

[Spider]

Could be from a wide variety of places and your friend will only suffer sleepness nights until it's pulled down for a look.

 

Some places where Brass / Bronze can be found are

 

Rocker bushes (pressed)

Little End Bush

Possible Crank Thrust*

Possible Crank Bearing(s)*

Gearbox bearing cage (though most of these were plastic in later years)

Plant Gear Thrusts is the diff

Selector Fork(s)

 

* While the Crank Bearings and thrusts don't normally contain 'Brass or Bronze' when found in the sump, can take on that appearance.

[Ethel]

It's not unusual for Minis, depends how big 'n how much really. Possibly selector forks too.

[Robdavmtb]

Cleaned out the pressure relief valve and found this. It's not come back since apart from the odd piece. Engine runs and sounds fine.

Attached Files

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[Robdavmtb]

Picture is a rag around the end of the screwdriver. Bits are small.

[tiger99]

Have a look in the distributor. If in doubt, take out the baseplate for a better look. The bearings generate LOTS of brass swarf just before complete failure. The next symptom is that you have to keep adjusting the timing to get it to run, then it does not run at all. Guess how I know! It was a standard Lucas dizzy but not on a Mini.

 

If it is that, rather than any of the other possibilities, I suggest ignoring the so-called Mini specialists and sending it off to the Distributor Doctor for overhaul. It will not cost any more and you will get better quality parts fitted. No dodgy condenser, cap or rotor arm.