29 replies to this topic

[minimadjonesy]

Ok, engine was running at Riv Run weekend but the head gasket was leaking. Sent it in for replacement at my Local Mini Specialist and when it came back there was a lot of tappet noise and a slight rattle at about 2500rmp (it cleared a little over that revs).
Did L2B and now there is a NASTY rattle most of the time!

Took it back and he's said that the cam follower sounds like it is worn.

The question is.... How drastic is this? I have to do IMM this year and that is the car I'm taking. Doing about 3000miles in 2 weeks. what will happen if it goes on the journey? how hard is it to fix? how long do they last if they start rattling?

IF it's drastic, anyone know how much it will cost to fix and anyone knwo a good garage that can do it so the car is ready for my IMM journey starting on the 27th May? :erm:


HEEEELLLLLLPPPPPP, Please!

[Bluemini]

What size engine is it? if its a 998 then its an aesy job to do, if its 1275 then its an engine out job...

BUT, before you go panicing over followers, go thru your tappets a couple of times, it takes 2 or 3 goes before they are set right.

[minimadjonesy]

it's a 1293! Thought it would involve taking it out too!

The tappets have been reset a few time today to get them right but the rattle is still there! The garage even put some grease on the end of teh cams and it was quiet for a while until the grease wore off and then teh rattle cam back!

How likely is it to blow up the engine? will it still do the 3K miles to IMM and bakc if i don't do it?

[Jammy]

Has it been RR'd since you changed the head gasket, although thinking about it you may not need to?! :erm:

[minimadjonesy]

nah it hasn't!

[Guess-Works.com]

Anything which has not got tappet covers on the rear will require engine removal for the followers to be changed, but as Blue said check the clearances, also, check how much of the thread is above the rocker, as at the followers and pushrods wear there will be more thread below the rocker than above.

[Bluemini]

Another thing to check is that its not a rocker hitting the cover??

If it is your followers that are worn, you should be ok for another couple of thousand miles yet. I've taken worn followers out before from engines that ran rattley for months and they ok apart from the rattle.

[mini90]

You can get the followers out using one of the extending magnet devices without taking the engine out on the big bore. but try resetting the tappet before you do the change.Also check the lock nuts on the tappets I've had a few of them split and undo.

[minimadjonesy]

thanks for your advice guys, a member of my club said something about the end of teh rush rods getting worn and filling the oil hole in the follower! Does this make any sense?

Also how much would you think it'll cost to have the followers done?

[dklawson]

I don't think all the followers have an oil hole... only the lightened performance ones.

I was thinking the same thing about the rocker arm hitting the cover. Look for the easy fixes first before assuming the worst. For what it's worth... be careful about replacing cams without doing the followers and vice-versa. They wear together, they should be replaced together. Financially that isn't always possible but it's the way it should be done. Chances are if the tappets really are wearing or worn you should replace the cam at the same time. I hope it's not necessary though.

[minimadjonesy]

so would a new set of push rods do it?

[dklawson]

Pushrods by themselves don't make a lot of noise unless they are hitting things... like the pass-thru holes in the head. I can't see how they'd be contributing much to the noise you're hearing. Others more familiar with performance parts will have to add their comments.

[Madmax]

if it does come to the worst, taking an engine out isnt a hassle really, me and flappyplasticbits did it in an hour or so this afternoon, granted we removed the head first but mini engines arent heavy at all, we managed it and we're both stick men...lol

i doubt new pushrods would solve the problem, it seems like its further down, no followers as i understand it have 'oil holes' they are completely flat bottomed/sided

[minimadjonesy]

OK, thanks guys, taking the engine out isn't a hardship as I own an engine crane, it's just and annoyance as I had the bloody thing out a few weeks ago to swap it from my old car! Just annoyed that the only thing I actually paid for someone to do has now cause and issue this close to leaving for spain (friday 27th!) sods law

[Bluemini]

Followers do have an oil hole. If your going to change them then you'll need to take the engine out and 'box off, cam out, etc, etc... You can do it in a day if you know what your doing, put it isn't a quick job. Then you've got to make sure you get the cam timed back in ok.