303 replies to this topic

[nev_payne]

Certain tin box decided to leave his mark on the garage floor last night. Only the sump plug so alarms were not sounded. Changed the immobiliser fob batteries out as well so the alarm doesn't sound off to the world every time I want to start the engine.



Sir D after first wash. Have since polished the metalwork and glass but got a little too cold for the bodywork. Also before I forget to add to the list:

- Single white coach-line required.

[bcjames]

Looks stunning! Such a special car.

[nev_payne]

Well... bugger.

Vipernoir was on hand tonight to diagnose a sticky accelerator cable and during testing and running idle, there came a rattling from the engine. Yup.. the idler gear is knocking.

My hope is to get the engine out (replace the engine mounts which I meant to do last time, and have it all back in place prior to to L2B. It's not a major issue so long as I don't do and drag racing or motorway driving, but I don't want it there pestering me.. and potentially taking the rest of the gearbox housing with it. In the meantime there's other things to tend to and the engine can still get broken in.

[nev_payne]

First oil change done yesterday.... urrgh it was bloody horrible. That and I'll make the excuse of poor practice (and day-dreaming) I managed to overflow the rocker cover when re-filling. Oil_went_everywhere. Bleeding the clutch had similar results. So what should have taken half that time is at least done.

Muggins' here feeling rather thick. Still all clean and polished today, awaiting the arrival of the rear window cappings following a re-lacquer. Also found I've managed to lose a seatbelt anchoring cap for the back seats.

[nev_payne]

Took SirD out for another 50-mile commute today. The breaking in and clean oil are beginning to show good results, a smooth drive to work and back with an engine that doesn't sound quite so tightly wound anymore. Still a long way, and many oil changes to go mind.

2 issues have popped up, notably:

- 2000-2500 rpm give the impression he's being starved of electrickery or fuel. See thread:

LINK to Injection Specific

- 1 knock when decelerating rapidly, counted a half dozen or so - almost certainly engine stabiliser, but upon checking the block for movement, I was left empty handed. Possibly the lower mount.

Parts arriving tomorrow from 'Spares, beginning a trek into restarting the Mini parts stock after such a lengthy abandonment.

Edited by nev_payne, 09 January 2012 - 09:31 PM.

[nev_payne]

Parts present arrived!



Decided upon a load liner and boot lid instead of the multi-piece surrounding covers. I way well be eating my hat getting the liner in place properly, but I do like the shape of them, not seen any in other Minis either considering it was a genuine accessory. Also got some new winder caps (never had any to start with), new sump plug and washers and oil filters.

Edited by nev_payne, 10 January 2012 - 02:35 PM.

[bcjames]

I love that you buy the genuine option parts That's normally my choice!

I look forward to seeing the load liner in place. What's the quality like? I don't use my boot liner kit as it inhibits access to the washer bottle. I've always wondered about one of these, and they are cheap, but I've never seen one in person or well photographed. Is the hatch liner a genuine part?

[nev_payne]

Heh thanks dude Yeah it's the typical "charcoal" grey colour that any trim is named as with the same speckled effect that the MPI rear pocket covers have. It's about 1mm thick and while it certainly has some flexibility, it's more for protecting the boot rather than loading breeze blocks onto. The hatch liner's just a 'Spares piece, just to protect the paintwork, and just to have something there that will withstand the occasional thud and require minimal cleaning. Forever looking out for the genuine first aid kit.

Edited by nev_payne, 10 January 2012 - 03:39 PM.

[bcjames]

Thanks for the extra photo and info Oli :) I look forward to seeing it fitted. It would be nice to have something in the boot to keep the shopping somewhat contained!

Edit for another question:

Does the load liner just sit in place or is it secured somehow?

Edited by bcjames, 10 January 2012 - 04:15 PM.

[nev_payne]

Just got home to try them out. The boot liner just sits in place really, about 1/4" play forward and back, and the battery could use something about 1" thick to level out with the spare wheel. Other than that it hugs the shock mounting column in the inner wheel arch. Simple and effective tidy up.

With liner in place:


With the bootlid cover:

[nev_payne]

Once this silly delayed Winter packs bags and moves North again, I'll be heading out to Shires Rover or possibly the one in Gloucester to get this intermitency sorted out. Slightly closer to the present, the throttle body needs greasing up, and the steering needs alignment, the steering wheel shortly after.

Sir D in the mean time has been stuck in the garage avoiding the wet. Over the last 3 weeks there's been no engine leaks (hooray!), and the battery lasted suprisingly well but was only barely cranking the engine last night.

[liam_italian]

That idle issue sounds like a vacuum leak to me. Go buy yourself some carb/injector cleaner and squirt it around where the inlet manifold attached to the head and see if the revs change.

Edited by liam_italian, 31 January 2012 - 01:41 PM.

[nev_payne]

Yeah thanks Liam, also been recommended to check over the IACV, strip and clean with brake cleaner. Going to investigate tonight.

[liam_italian]

I would leave the IACV well alone for now unil you have eliminated the vacuum leak theory. Unfortunately some people on here blame the IACV for everything and it's rarely to blame. I too was told to clean the IACV and in the process I ended up braking it and it cost me £45 to replace. A can of card/injector cleaner costs £5

I had very similar symptoms to your when I put the engine back in and it turned out the inlet manifold wasn't seated against the head correctly. So I refitted it using a genuine injection gasket and also the smallest amount of gasket sealant. Problem solved!

Also when you tighten the manifold to the head work your way from the middle outwards tightening the bolts.

Edited by liam_italian, 31 January 2012 - 05:19 PM.

[nev_payne]

Sorry Liam I only read your message after I got back in from the garage which part of the valve did you break - the black spring loaded sleeve?

The torx screws wern't exactly tight upon removing, but the breather pipe was fitted tightly. The valve was completely caked in carbon:



A clean up with brake cleaner and a 15 minute wrestle with the wiring loom later..



Much nicer, though in true Mini sense, Sir D is now aware that things are being fixed - so the fan belt is the next thing.