8 replies to this topic

[Ajay]

So, I bought my mini from a 'classic specialist' for a suspisiously reasonable price for the condition of the bodywork and the amazing lack of rust. I'm hoping i've got a good dose of paranoia but my mini does shake and sound different to what i remember. I've put vibration in the cabin down to the lack of top steady and missing bushes in the gearbox steady but I've got a nagging feeling that it could be down to something else

 

Please watch this video

 

There is an odd noise which can be heard mainly in the right hand side of the engine bay but its not the tappets as I first thought although they are another worry! I think it's lower down than that. I dont know if its coming from the water pump, all i have done thus far is go around with a stethascope to see if I can locate the noise.

 

Any guesses?

 

Al

Edited by Ajay, 04 February 2017 - 09:42 PM.

[Chris.Williams]

It could be a worn timing chain, s ems to come from that end of the engine.
Does it make the noise only on idle?
Does it perform as it should? Use water or oil in large amount? Blow any smoke?..

[Ajay]

It could be a worn timing chain, s ems to come from that end of the engine.

Does it make the noise only on idle?
Does it perform as it should? Use water or oil in large amount? Blow any smoke?..

 

It makes the noise on Idle and a little higher

It does perform as I would have expected, pulls well, seems relatively happy

I havent had it too long so I dont know if its using oil or water but the levels havent changed since I picked it up a month ago

Doesnt blow smoke

 

The cabin vibrates like a washing machine on fast spin BUT i'm putting that down to a clearly broken lower engine steady for the moment - i'm changing that this afternoon to eliminate it

 

Al

[Chris.Williams]

Maybe check all your mounts, just cause.
Doesn't sound terminal, but more investigation is needed.
You may need to break out the spanners.

[Ajay]

any tips on where to start spannering?

[sonikk4]

Did you get any form of Warranty from this Classic Specialist??  if so then take it back for investigation

Does this knock get worse under load??

[Ajay]

No warrantee otherwise I would have queried it with him

The noise does not increase under load, if anything it gets quieter (or drowned out by road noise)

[Stevie W]

Hi,

 

Do you have an oil pressure gauge fitted by any chance? If so check your oil pressure at idle and say, 3000rpm. You should get around 15psi at idle with the engine hot and around 50-60psi at 3000rpm. However, looking at your video it looks like a standard oil pressure switch fitted to the engine block. 

 

I had an old Austin 1100 with a rumbling A series engine and that was worn crankshaft main bearings as these tend to make this noise as opposed to big end bearings which knock.

 

I'm not saying this is your issue, but it is something to check especially if the engine has covered high mileage. 

 

Cheers, Steve.  

Edited by Stevie W, 05 February 2017 - 11:20 AM.

[Northernpower]

A stethoscope is good for locating noises but I still prefer the screwdriver method. It could well be the water pump and I suggest you completely eliminate this and the alternator before proceeding further. If you suspect its either of the these, the following worked for me. Before the engine is warm start it up with he fan belt removed (you can run it for just a few seconds) and if the noise still persists you know to look elsewhere. Don't be tempted to run it for very long with he water pump not working.