9 replies to this topic

[OurMini30]

I fear I will soon be replacing my Primary Gear Seal, although I can’t complain as it’s lasted 12 years since I fully restored her. My Flywheel Puller has round holes (not slotted) and the centres are wrong for my Verto Flywheel. I got away with it last time as the engine was out and I put a set in each bolt, it came off easily too. This time I hope to do it in situ. Could anyone tell me the hole centres for my flywheel as I intend preparing a piece of 12mm boiler plate to accommodate the 3 fixing bolts to the flywheel plus centre bolt hole to use in conjunction with my puller (positioned between my new plate and the flywheel. Any help would be much appreciated.

[nicklouse]

I fear I will soon be replacing my Primary Gear Seal, although I can’t complain as it’s lasted 12 years since I fully restored her. My Flywheel Puller has round holes (not slotted) and the centres are wrong for my Verto Flywheel. I got away with it last time as the engine was out and I put a set in each bolt, it came off easily too. This time I hope to do it in situ. Could anyone tell me the hole centres for my flywheel as I intend preparing a piece of 12mm boiler plate to accommodate the 3 fixing bolts to the flywheel plus centre bolt hole to use in conjunction with my puller (positioned between my new plate and the flywheel. Any help would be much appreciated.

Which part of the Shire are you in? I have one you can borrow and maybe another you can have for a cider.

[OurMini30]

Hi nicklouse, Thanks for the offer, we’re close to Ledbury. Can’t get out much yet (complicated, 2nd vac in 2 weeks). I’m not sure when I’ll be replacing the seal, sometimes no drip, sometimes a tiny run from the split pin. Replacing drive shaft seal tomorrow, that has the tiniest drip too, the car’s spotless and I want to keep it that way! My puller has 3 round holes (not slotted) 3 7/16” (88mm) centres. I can’t remember if they are too close together or too far apart (its so long ago and age is catching up!). I may take you up on your offer but if I can find the dimensions my plate idea may work, bolted to the puller to stop the puller turning. Impressed with your photos, I'll have to spend a little time on here to learn my way around.

[nicklouse]

Hi nicklouse, Thanks for the offer, we’re close to Ledbury. Can’t get out much yet (complicated, 2nd vac in 2 weeks). I’m not sure when I’ll be replacing the seal, sometimes no drip, sometimes a tiny run from the split pin. Replacing drive shaft seal tomorrow, that has the tiniest drip too, the car’s spotless and I want to keep it that way! My puller has 3 round holes (not slotted) 3 7/16” (88mm) centres. I can’t remember if they are too close together or too far apart (its so long ago and age is catching up!). I may take you up on your offer but if I can find the dimensions my plate idea may work, bolted to the puller to stop the puller turning. Impressed with your photos, I'll have to spend a little time on here to learn my way around.

You are in my area. Also just outside Ledbury. So message me and you can have as much assistance as you need. Double jabed and tested each week for work. That reminds me there is another local that needs some wiring sorting.

[OurMini30]

Thanks again nicklouse, I’ll have a closer look underneath over the weekend when I replace the drive shaft seal. Before i make a decision on if/when to replace the Primary Gear Seal I must make room to work in my small garage that is absolutely crammed floor to ceiling so it may be a week or two. Thanks again. I’m new to the district, is there a local Mini club active? I couldn’t find one when browsing.

[nicklouse]

Me too. Only been here less than a year. There are a number of Mini owners that I know of but no idea of any clubs.

[OurMini30]

Hello Nicklouse. Changed the O/S drive shaft seal which appears to have cured that leak. As the car had stood unattended for 19 months up until 2 months ago I replaced the oil & filters too. Only been in to town a couple of times since, 20 miles each time  (2nd jab 4 days ago) and not a drop from clutch housing either. Intend a longer run in a week or two to monitor it. Regarding the car standing, it never does them any good does it? I replaced several items when I started her a couple of months ago, the first being the standard mechanical fuel pump (no fuel coming through) as one of the inlet/outlet valves had perforated, which has some history. Almost 3 yrs ago she coughed and spluttered, dirt in the float needle that appeared to be a tiny piece of black rubber. I fitted a plastic transparent in-line filter and could see that it always bubbled with fuel and never filled completely when running. I thought nothing of it until I replaced the pump a couple of months ago and the filter now runs bubble free and full of fuel. I think our pump had been on its way out for a long time but I didn’t recognise the warning signs bubbling! Perhaps a pointer for others.

[nicklouse]

I would be checking all the rubber hoses as even the E5 causes damage over time.

 

I will be dragging mine out this weekend and be taking it over to Stanford Hall. If you are there and find me say hi.

[OurMini30]

We’d really enjoy visiting Stanford Hall tomorrow, they’re such good days out, but daren’t start mingling for another couple of weeks. Hope the weather stays fine for everyone and the Minis keep motoring too. Good advice regarding the hoses, a job for winter I think.

[OurMini30]

It’s been a while since I last communicated. We’ve used the Mini more and I’m happy to say that oil never appears on the plastic sheet on the floor under the engine bay. I occasionally use a torch and a telescopic mirror to inspect underneath and the most I’ve seen some weeks ago is a dampness of oil around the split pin/drain. Perhaps new oil and driving her (quite enthusiastically over 90 odd miles at a time) has helped the seal, I don’t know but, not complaining. I am complaining about the N/S grille surround blowing off a week or two ago! Can’t explain it as its quite a tight fiddle to fit. 13quid gone so I’ll find a way of securing it to the grille rather than relying on the tight push fit. Our daily car (2001 Rover 45TD we’ve had since new with space travel miles on her) needed similar attention to brakes etc having stood for close on two years but all’s well now we hope. Standing certainly does them harm so I’ll be religiously starting and running our Mini in and out of the garage weekly during the winter months. Cold nights in the garage now.