11 replies to this topic

[Elwyn]

Hello

 

1993 L reg SPI Cooper, Manual, RHD

 

I have had the engine out

Replaced all gaskets

Inlet manifold was sent away and refurbished

Lots more than this, but pretty much a top end rebuild

 

It's all back together

 

Tried starting it for the first time today

First time in about a year

 

Starter motor was fine

Almost fired

A small splutter

Battery died!

 

Recharged battery

Fettled on other stuff

 

Tried again

Again, starter motor doing its thing

This time, no flicker of a fire

Just endless starter motor

 

A smell of fuel

Dripping from the inlet manifold

Fuel was getting through to the injector

I suppose that's a good thing

But from there, it wasn't great

 

I've given up now

It's going dark

Working on the drive

 

The manifold gasket is new

I am sure I tightened the nuts onto the studs with some oomph

 

Might it just need oomph+ ?

 

Or is it possible to have misaligned the inlet manifold to the engine block / gasket?

I can't see how, but I won't rule out utter stupidity (on my part)

 

The inlet manifold, manifold gasket etc were dry fitted

No sealant

Just the gasket

 

Any ideas, suggestions?

 

 

Regards

 

Elwyn

 

 

[Elwyn]

Sorry, I should have been clearer....the fuel leak was at the inlet manifold to manifold gasket junction on the far left hand "port" as you look from the front of the car into the engine bay

The brake servo side

[Pops_Guild]

Sounds like it has not gone square-on. I assume the locator rings were in place and on correctly? I’ve seen ones that have been put in the manifold wonky prevent a good seal.

You do need to torque up the manifold nuts correctly. The ones in the middle are best done with the throttle body removed for access to them.

[humph]

Similar to above, my thoughts were;

1. Were all faces cleaned and all remnants of old gaskets removed?
2. Assuming you have the correct manifold studs (they're unique to injection cars) are they screwed in the full way?  If not then the manifold nut will ground on the non-threaded section, torque up & leave a gap.
3. Are the locating rings in place? Are they square?
4. Any high spots or thickness differences around the flanges of the inlet & exhaust manifolds that are stopping the inlet seating properly?

By the way how was the inlet manifold refurbished? And where did it go?  

Edited by humph, 25 July 2021 - 09:49 AM.

[Elwyn]

Hello
That’s excellent stuff

Yes, the old gasket was completely removed. All surfaces were / are totally clean

I haven’t changed the studs. I didn’t do anything to them. Is there a torque setting to screw / wind them in all the way? Is there a torque setting for nuts, not that I think I’ll have room to get my torque wrench onto them. I’m sure I looked up the nut torque and it was quite low.

Locating rings. Now this is probably it. I don’t recall removing or refitting anything like that at all. Parts missing before and still now?

No high spots anywhere. I sent the inlet manifold away to a TMF member who does a lot of them. Vapour blasting, new parts, pressure tested before being sent back.

Studs, torque and locating rings.
That’s my focus

Mini Spares dot com again

In terms of getting the thing to sit square / properly aligned, is there a trick or will the rings pretty much do that for me?

Do the rings fit into the cylinder head or the manifold?
Tapped / knocked in?
Or a special mechanical tool?


Regards

[Elwyn]

And yes, I’ll be removing the throttle body

[Pops_Guild]

Similar to above, my thoughts were;

1. Were all faces cleaned and all remnants of old gaskets removed?
2. Assuming you have the correct manifold studs (they're unique to injection cars) are they screwed in the full way?  If not then the manifold nut will ground on the non-threaded section, torque up & leave a gap.
3. Are the locating rings in place? Are they square?
4. Any high spots or thickness differences around the flanges of the inlet & exhaust manifolds that are stopping the inlet seating properly?

By the way how was the inlet manifold refurbished? And where did it go?  

 

That was me :). I do SPi inlet manifold refurbs and other things as a hobby. I wrote the refurbishment guide that's pinned on this group too. Attached are some pics of Elwyn's manifold.

 

I haven't been able to get to my workshop to make more of the stainless pipes for a long while but hoping to do so in August. Lots of folks waiting on the DIY kits and for full refurbs.

 

Also just started a FB page > @ClassicMiniNLA

 

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[Pops_Guild]

Hello
That’s excellent stuff

Yes, the old gasket was completely removed. All surfaces were / are totally clean

I haven’t changed the studs. I didn’t do anything to them. Is there a torque setting to screw / wind them in all the way? Is there a torque setting for nuts, not that I think I’ll have room to get my torque wrench onto them. I’m sure I looked up the nut torque and it was quite low.

Locating rings. Now this is probably it. I don’t recall removing or refitting anything like that at all. Parts missing before and still now?

No high spots anywhere. I sent the inlet manifold away to a TMF member who does a lot of them. Vapour blasting, new parts, pressure tested before being sent back.

Studs, torque and locating rings.
That’s my focus

Mini Spares dot com again

In terms of getting the thing to sit square / properly aligned, is there a trick or will the rings pretty much do that for me?

Do the rings fit into the cylinder head or the manifold?
Tapped / knocked in?
Or a special mechanical tool?


Regards

 

If they were missing it sounds like they're your smoking gun. The locating rings are essential. I usually push them into the inlet manifold, no special tool, prior to fitting the manifold but you just need to make sure they're in properly...it'll be obvious if they're not square in.

 

Available from most of the mini spares places...

 

12G297 - Mini manifold locating ring (minispares.com)

 

GUG704053MG is the correct manifold gasket, if that's the one you have fitted then also makes sure the smooth metal side goes towards the manifold.

 

Roger

[Elwyn]

Locating rings now ordered

Hoping there's only one smoking (or dripping) gun

 

Roger created a work of art and I b*llsed up hanging it on the wall (terrible metaphor)!

Edited by Elwyn, 25 July 2021 - 10:54 AM.

[humph]

 

Similar to above, my thoughts were;

1. Were all faces cleaned and all remnants of old gaskets removed?
2. Assuming you have the correct manifold studs (they're unique to injection cars) are they screwed in the full way?  If not then the manifold nut will ground on the non-threaded section, torque up & leave a gap.
3. Are the locating rings in place? Are they square?
4. Any high spots or thickness differences around the flanges of the inlet & exhaust manifolds that are stopping the inlet seating properly?

By the way how was the inlet manifold refurbished? And where did it go?  

 

That was me :). I do SPi inlet manifold refurbs and other things as a hobby. I wrote the refurbishment guide that's pinned on this group too. Attached are some pics of Elwyn's manifold.

 

I haven't been able to get to my workshop to make more of the stainless pipes for a long while but hoping to do so in August. Lots of folks waiting on the DIY kits and for full refurbs.

 

Also just started a FB page > @ClassicMiniNLA

 

 

Thanks, I only ask because I'm sure I will need mine doing at some point. I removed it a couple of years back and the pipes were all clear but a bit corroded.  I've read your how to thread before, but didn't realise you were taking orders, it's good to know. Is there a thread with prices somewhere?

[Pops_Guild]

 

 

Similar to above, my thoughts were;

1. Were all faces cleaned and all remnants of old gaskets removed?
2. Assuming you have the correct manifold studs (they're unique to injection cars) are they screwed in the full way?  If not then the manifold nut will ground on the non-threaded section, torque up & leave a gap.
3. Are the locating rings in place? Are they square?
4. Any high spots or thickness differences around the flanges of the inlet & exhaust manifolds that are stopping the inlet seating properly?

By the way how was the inlet manifold refurbished? And where did it go?  

 

That was me :). I do SPi inlet manifold refurbs and other things as a hobby. I wrote the refurbishment guide that's pinned on this group too. Attached are some pics of Elwyn's manifold.

 

I haven't been able to get to my workshop to make more of the stainless pipes for a long while but hoping to do so in August. Lots of folks waiting on the DIY kits and for full refurbs.

 

Also just started a FB page > @ClassicMiniNLA

 

 

Thanks, I only ask because I'm sure I will need mine doing at some point. I removed it a couple of years back and the pipes were all clear but a bit corroded.  I've read your how to thread before, but didn't realise you were taking orders, it's good to know. Is there a thread with prices somewhere?

 

 

Unfortunately every SPi manifold will eventually need to get sorted, the pipes and core plugs on them are made from terrible quality steel.

 

I didn't really intend to do refurbs of other peoples manifolds, I just kind of fell into it. It's kind of cool to help folks get their Minis back to working condition again. The pricing depends on the manifold (assuming you wanted your manifold done) condition and how easy or nightmarish it is to do but generally I charge around £175 - £190. I would usually have some ready-to-go so could do them on an exchange basis, and that'll save £25 off the price. If you are on Facebook, then the "Classic Mini SPi" group is my usual stomping ground, I love TMF but I only pop in around once a week...FB is every day. There are plenty of posts from me there.

 

Ultimately if you're interested then message me here and we can chat in more detail. thx

[MatthewsDad]

Similar to above, my thoughts were;

• Were all faces cleaned and all remnants of old gaskets removed?
• Assuming you have the correct manifold studs (they're unique to injection cars) are they screwed in the full way? If not then the manifold nut will ground on the non-threaded section, torque up & leave a gap.
• Are the locating rings in place? Are they square?
• Any high spots or thickness differences around the flanges of the inlet & exhaust manifolds that are stopping the inlet seating properly?

By the way how was the inlet manifold refurbished? And where did it go?

That was me :). I do SPi inlet manifold refurbs and other things as a hobby. I wrote the refurbishment guide that's pinned on this group too. Attached are some pics of Elwyn's manifold.

I haven't been able to get to my workshop to make more of the stainless pipes for a long while but hoping to do so in August. Lots of folks waiting on the DIY kits and for full refurbs.

Also just started a FB page > @ClassicMiniNLA

Thanks, I only ask because I'm sure I will need mine doing at some point. I removed it a couple of years back and the pipes were all clear but a bit corroded. I've read your how to thread before, but didn't realise you were taking orders, it's good to know. Is there a thread with prices somewhere?

Unfortunately every SPi manifold will eventually need to get sorted, the pipes and core plugs on them are made from terrible quality steel.

I didn't really intend to do refurbs of other peoples manifolds, I just kind of fell into it. It's kind of cool to help folks get their Minis back to working condition again. The pricing depends on the manifold (assuming you wanted your manifold done) condition and how easy or nightmarish it is to do but generally I charge around £175 - £190. I would usually have some ready-to-go so could do them on an exchange basis, and that'll save £25 off the price. If you are on Facebook, then the "Classic Mini SPi" group is my usual stomping ground, I love TMF but I only pop in around once a week...FB is every day. There are plenty of posts from me there.

Ultimately if you're interested then message me here and we can chat in more detail. thx

... you do a fantastic job on the manifolds, my new one looks great and works a treat. Thank you.