303 replies to this topic

[nev_payne]

Other than cleaning the IACV itself, also clean the channel it sits in. Found this is a real coke/grease trap where the airflow isn't efficient. To do it in situ on the car requires lots of cotton buds and a decent solvent such as brake cleaner to soak the cotton bid ends. Also make sure the feed through hose that attaches to the IACV's side is also clean and free of debris,

The main culprit hose is the servo vacuum hose - shiny black one with the grey valve housing half way through it. Unfortunately new ones are anything but available *BUT* there is a similar shaped pipe used on Rover 200's, or 75's that would require reshaping with a heat gun. That, or build your own with vacuum hose and the correct ends for the injection manifold and servo bell housing. There's also a translated article I've found that suggests that epoxy putty around the non-retrun valve will help in case the resin has deteriorated:

http://tinyurl.com/be5u9lp

Hope that's a help.

Edited by nev_payne, 03 January 2013 - 11:23 AM.

[mini_in_progress]

Greatp project thread mate and a lush car. Ive spent an age reading this and wanted to say topwork...... now go scare the **** outta someone with that mouse.... maybe through a dodgy neighbours letter box or a cereal box.....

[nev_payne]

Update:

SirD's had a horrible case of no ignition to the engine again. As I'm 100 miles away in deepest darkest Devon, he was sent to the garage to be inspected. After 4 days of head scratching by the mechy and nothing changed other than the plugs cleaned, he sprung back to life.

I'm now worried about what exactly is causing this - the fuel appears to be pushing through good enough but something is preventing ignition, I suspect the coil pack. This is the second time SirD has done this, both times it's generally been colder weather. Parts time I think, the coil pack was brought forward from the original ancillaries anyway. Wouldn't surprise me if it was on it's way out. Thick set inspection due when I get back home later this month.

[liam_italian]

Nev

Check that the engine earth strap that's bolted to the engine steady bar is clean and not lose, if this is slighty dodgy the car will not even try and start when you turn the key.

[nev_payne]

Update: Assisting in diagnosing another MPI with similar issues:

http://www.theminifo...will-not-start/

Also had a third instance of this happening - this morning SirD wouldn't start. These non-starts are sharing a common theme now - very low or sub-zero temperatures. My thinking is either there's a dodgy connection that's contracting in the cold, in or around the coil pack, or an earth is continually having trouble on the inner wings. Engine is deffinately turning over so no trouble there.

I've ordered a new coil pack in to cover bases.

Edited by nev_payne, 12 March 2013 - 11:22 PM.

[nev_payne]

Update - winter check up.



Back home for a week and went straight into fixing the random non-starts. Went with a coil replacement and changing out the 2 o-rings sealing the injectors. The result was good for turning over, where before the engine was taking 2-3 seconds with a sort of prop-plane like start up:



Also checked up on the Mini overall. The Winter's had it's toll - rear valance seems and the n/s a-panel are showing rust, but minor. Also found a very nasty deep chip on the driver's door:



Otherwise all is good. The idle and low-rpm problems that have plagued SirD since the resto over a year ago are all gone thanks to the coil pack and o-rings. There's more to be done, but all in good time. I took a refreshed SirD down to Ilfracombe today, and Bath tomorrow, good pull right up through the gears and the low-rpm range problems are all gone :)

Edited by nev_payne, 30 March 2013 - 12:07 AM.

[nev_payne]

New shopping list for May:



Both driveshafts on SirD are a pushing outwards a little too much for my liking and while they're off, the ball join dust covers need renewing. The rod change bush was a bit of a bodge job on the last gearbox rebuild, simply not checked. The other thing is to get SirD's footing properly sorted now that everything's settled properly. Decent tie bars, and get the packing spacers back infront of the subframe. Going to get a geometry setup some at around the same time.

Finally, more cosmetic than anything, the N/S door is missing an end-cap moulding, and the boot badge is getting scuffed by the handle - stting a little too high up on the boot door. New shiney to replace and also source some decent black double sided foam-tape-stuff at the same time.

Edited by nev_payne, 07 April 2013 - 01:05 PM.

[nev_payne]

Well it's may and the order has been placed with 'Spares now that I'm home from Uni for the summer.

Had a check over Sir D in the garage inbetween unpacking boxes, and aside from a completely dead battery and a weaping speedo housing, there is another slight worry - a lick of oil on the clutch breather hole again. While there isn't all that much, it's still a concern. Would rather that didnt start all over again, barely 2000 miles after the last seal.

[nev_payne]

Presents!

A nice pull from ebay bagged a nearly-new alternator.

 

'Spares order also came through - just waiting on a small package with a couple of forgotten bits now, including new tower crash bushes and grease nipples.

 

Work should be done end of the week, more photos then

[nev_payne]

June update, couple of weeks ago I returned to Kinspeed Torque Specialists and Dr Vipernoir to check over SirD's squeaking and clunking noises - suspected non greasy joints.

 

With wheels off, all hubs were checked over:

 

The driveshafts were also slipping out - suspected was warn pot joint circlips, but ended up being a combination of that and a dodgy MiniSport pot. These were machined many moons ago without the necessary groove inside for locking the circlip into place. Clever that. Also replaced the oil seals as a precautionary measure, ended up being a royal pain in the arse.:

 

All was duely greased up, a rear wheel bearing replaced (the spacer inside the bearing turned out to be too thick), 1 circlip holding and the other is due replacement. Also replaced the working pot joint's boot as there was a slight tear on the inside fold. Steering rack is having a knock on extreme turns as well so this is due replacment in August.

 

 

 

Last but not least, an annoyance if anything - replaced the outer window trim as it was missing the plastic covering on the end. The shredder of many of my sponges was at last retired:

 

 

 

Given SirD a complete clean through over the last couple of days as well, topped off with a clay-bar, 2 polish and 2 wax coat detail. CD player trim is also on route, many thanks to BCJames.

Shopping list now consists:

- Steering rack
- Pot joint

- CV boot kit
- Front indicator unit (stone chipped on driver's side    )

Edited by nev_payne, 19 June 2013 - 02:46 PM.

[nev_payne]

New order was placed today at 'spares for possibly the last bit that was never serviced or checked over from the rebuild - the steering rack (not shown in the screenshot below) and related parts. Also ordered in to replace the cracked CV boots, the dodgy MiniSport pot joint, a cracked indicator unit and the inevitable brake light.

Since a drive down to St Austell, and then Bristol shortly afterwards, SirD has developed a slow oil leak on the nearside, most likely the diff output oil seal that was replaced and probably not seated correctly. Also hoping to investigate why there's an increasing squeak coming from the OS suspension or possibly subframe mount when accelerating and coming off the throttle. Possibly lack of grease on the top arm... again.

 

[nev_payne]

Parts arrived and ready to go. Lovely new steering rack and related bamph.

[nev_payne]

Well first half of the parts done - steering rack is in and had SirD tracked. What a difference. The old steering rack was basically shot, only time would've told exactly how long it would've taken to completely fail. Also a nice greasing up of the suspension and SirD is squeak free.

Time to dress up for Gaydon and a 5am kick off.

[nev_payne]

Found the other Knightsbridge

 

In rusty but sturdy condition.

SirD remains fairly decent aside from the NS a-panel bubble, and the inner strengthening seem on the NS wing. Ones to watch incase they get worse.

[Deathrow]

Do you now own the whole collection?