8 replies to this topic

[TheHunterHofman]

Hi all,

 

I have a 2000 Mini Cooper Sport MPI and I have a couple of questions about the engine (and forgive my ignorance); I have disassembled my engine block the other day and found that a thrust bearing of the crankshaft was missing. My understanding is that all engines have 4 thrust bearings; 2 on the main cap bearing and 2 on the engine block. My engine only had 1 on the engine block, instead of 2. Really weird. The ones in the main bearing cap were there. The engine has never been disassembled before (as far as I know). Has anyone of you seen this before? I'm planning obviously to buy a full set, before reassembling.

 

That brings me to my next question, are these camshaft bearings normal? Is that groove supposed to be there, in the middle? Furthermore, are these engine blocks' cylinders sleeved, as mine are?

 

Photos are attached.

 

Really appreciating your responses.

 

Thank you,

TheHunterHofman

 

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[nicklouse]

Checked the crank for the thrust washer?

 

there should be four as the lock each other in place.

 

yes those are liners, often done at the factory to allow a block to be useable.

 

yes the cam bearings can look like that.

[Earwax]

Hi

 

I do not know anything specific about the SPI engine - but having 3 out of 4 thrusts sends big warning bells to my tiny mind.  Probably too late now - but I always try and take a measure of the thrust endfloat  on disassembly - it is always good to know the starting point even if you plan on moving the finishing post.

 

 

Give the caps a very good going over -   my worst case scenario (WCS) is the motor spun a thrust or dropped it down below - the centre main cap and the block faces need close attention - again WCS different cap used and not line bored)- 

 

Hopefully this is not the case 

[Ethel]

The rear cam bearing is fed directly from the oil pump hence the grooves. They do look excessive though, normally a groove to half way across the bearing serves in place of the hole to the oil galleries.

 

If you found 3 of 4 thrusts and they haven't been trashed the crank may well have got away unscathed.

[pete l]

I've just removed my camshaft bearings from my MPI block and they did not have any grooves or slots in them.

[TheHunterHofman]

Checked the crank for the thrust washer?

 

there should be four as the lock each other in place.

 

yes those are liners, often done at the factory to allow a block to be useable.

 

yes the cam bearings can look like that.

Yes, I have checked the crank. It wasn't on there. The crank looks completely unscathed.

 

No sure if your comment about the liners was sarcastic, but I was unsure whether these engines have cylinder liners from the factory or not.

[TheHunterHofman]

Hi

 

I do not know anything specific about the SPI engine - but having 3 out of 4 thrusts sends big warning bells to my tiny mind.  Probably too late now - but I always try and take a measure of the thrust endfloat  on disassembly - it is always good to know the starting point even if you plan on moving the finishing post.

 

 

Give the caps a very good going over -   my worst case scenario (WCS) is the motor spun a thrust or dropped it down below - the centre main cap and the block faces need close attention - again WCS different cap used and not line bored)- 

 

Hopefully this is not the case 

Just to be clear: it's an MPI engine. Yeah I was surprised too, after only finding 3 out of 4. I will be ordering a new set. The crank is fully unscathed though, luckily. Also, I never found the thrust washer in the engine anywhere (or it must have made its way below the gearbox and sitting at the bottom thereof, where I'm not able to see it).

 

The rear cam bearing is fed directly from the oil pump hence the grooves. They do look excessive though, normally a groove to half way across the bearing serves in place of the hole to the oil galleries.

 

If you found 3 of 4 thrusts and they haven't been trashed the crank may well have got away unscathed.

I hereby upload photos of the thrust bearing. The one reading 0.093 inch is the one connected to the engine block, the one reading 0.092 is the one attached to the main centre cap.

 

I've just removed my camshaft bearings from my MPI block and they did not have any grooves or slots in them.

Okay, thank you

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[nicklouse]

 

Checked the crank for the thrust washer?

 

there should be four as the lock each other in place.

 

yes those are liners, often done at the factory to allow a block to be useable.

 

yes the cam bearings can look like that.

Yes, I have checked the crank. It wasn't on there. The crank looks completely unscathed.

 

No sure if your comment about the liners was sarcastic, but I was unsure whether these engines have cylinder liners from the factory or not.

 

Some do some don’t, it depends if they needed to get them usable.

[Ethel]

The thrust measurements are on the mark for standard spec. One thou is likely within the margin of error for your calipers. Of course we can't say with  certainty that your  crank & block are also within standard spec. It would be worth your while popping the crank back in to measure the end float before buying any bits.