4 replies to this topic

[Whizzbang]

I've just had the engine out of my mk1 cooper S and want to try to pretest for oil leaks before replacing. I'm aware that it won't be definitive but might show any major leaks. Any great ideas, people?

[Spider]

Run it.

[Whizzbang]

I'll fire it up while it's hanging on the engine crane

[timmy850]

Mini engines are nice and flat on the bottom & easy enough to get started on the floor. I probably wouldn’t try it on an engine crane or stand

[DeadSquare]

A Mk 1 S will probably have a cam cover plate with a vent pipe in it and another vent in the rocker cover.

 

Make sure that the hoses from these are in good condition and either individually or through a T connector, are fed into the inlet manifold.

 

Under normal motoring conditions, except when accelerating hard, there is a partial vacuum in the inlet manifold, and through the aforementioned hoses this partial vacuum within the engine is constantly trying to draw surrounding air into the engine through even the slightest orifices, out of which, without the pressure differential, oil might otherwise be tempted to try and leak.