5 replies to this topic

[SAMINI]

Please help!!

Got a mini for a year now... I've had to basically do everything on the car and it's killing me with mechanics costs.

I've even had the engine overhauled :'( which costs me almost as much as i paid for the car.

Everything has been fixed on the car in the last year so should be running well

After getting the car back from the mechanic the last time i took the car to a car wash only realised my stupid mistake afterwards that they were using a water pressure cleaner and the guy spray the front grille (mini clubman 1979). The car did not start afterwards and after a couple of attempts finally did. Parked it when i got home. Two days latter engine switched off while driving. Kick (push) started it managed to get home, now the damn thing won't start.

Fuel is getting into the carb and there is a spark on the distributer!!! The starter is turning!!! But the engine won't follow....

PLEASE HELP... i've spent too much money on mechanics for this car and can't spend more. (I'm not too mechanically minded)

[mini1976]

Where abouts are you based?

Have you takent the distributer cap off and checked its all dry in there and check all the wiring on the coil as a jet wash could have pulled one off or knocked it loose.

[Teapot]

Welcome to tmf. Your mini is behaving much as I would if I'd been pressure washed. Are you in Kwa-Zulu Natal? It's summer now, yes? Should be warm enough to dry it out. Can anyone in your local club help?

[SAMINI]

Where abouts are you based?

Have you takent the distributer cap off and checked its all dry in there and check all the wiring on the coil as a jet wash could have pulled one off or knocked it loose.

Did take off the distributer cap off and got it from "good authority!!!" to spray some Q20 (mechanical oil/rust prevention thingie) also to spray some on the plug leads but thats not helping. :'(

Will a physical check on the wires on the coil as i had done a quick spot/visual check...

Oh... and i'm based in Durban, KZN, South Africa

[SAMINI]

Welcome to tmf. Your mini is behaving much as I would if I'd been pressure washed. Are you in Kwa-Zulu Natal? It's summer now, yes? Should be warm enough to dry it out. Can anyone in your local club help?

Thanks... have been reading up on the forum for a couple of months now and figured i'd join about a day ago hoping to get help and my sanity back.... I got my mini out of my passion for this wonderful piece of automotive history and about a month ago i nearly told my mechanic to take it and douse it with petrol/gas and light it up... every time i took it to a mechanic over the last year they told me about more stuff that was wrong and i "needed to fix" and i had it done... i had the car basically rebuilt mechanically from scratch... now he "fixed" it, now when i decide to take her for wash she does this again...

Can't really go to the mini club cause i found out about it (the club) and the link (to the club) is the mechanic (who is killing me with the high costs)... I've paid twice the cost of buying the car on fixing it up and it was a good car when i got it, or i thought it was... Yeah I'm in KZN (hope my mechanic is not reading this).

[taffy1967]

Well it's probably time you invested a Mini Haynes manual and I can thoroughly recommend this book too because it taught me how to effectively replace/renew all the electrics on my Mini and the ones owned by my sister, nephew and niece (including the points & condensor within the distributor) and to carry out all my own servicing, greasing all the suspension components and adjusting the valve clearances (tappets) too!



You can buy it new from here:-

Mini Service/Repair Manual From Amazon Link

So get yourself a copy because the text and pictures are extremely clear and helpful and if a generally useless git like me can do it, then most people can and as you have a real passion for Minis then your sure to be able to do the same and save yourself a fortune at the same time.

Edited by taffy1967, 25 January 2007 - 10:16 PM.