Greetings from across the pond

[auburngator]

I am new to Mini ownership. I just received my Japan spec Mini from across the Pacific. I have had it for only days and  have fallen in Love. Living in sunny Florida there were a few things that hindered me owning a Mini here. A/C for me and auto trans for my wife (happy wife, happy life)

I found  the car for me in Osaka Japan. It is a 92 (US requires they be 25 years old to import) 1.3 Sprite with the all important A/C(blows damn cold too)

I have had it for only a week and expected problems. It is a 25 year old car with 158K kilometers on the clock. The car runs like a dream (a little juddering on take off) but I have no service history. So that is why I am here, looking for advise on what I should be doing to avoid trouble(if I can) The auto trans scares me the most. I will have a very hard time finding anyone here who knows anything about Mini auto trans.

I am already planing on an immediate oil change to the recommended 10w40 mineral oil or a MA2 motorcycle oil, But wonder what else I should do to be pro active?

I appreciate everyone's time in helping a newbie with my questions. The wealth of knowledge on this board is truly impressive and helped me decide to purchase such an impractical, absolutely fun vehicle like my Mini.

[69hcode]

Welcome to the forum. 


I'm from Florida originally but live in New Mexico now. Getting parts isn't that hard if you're willing to wait. I now have 3 auto units, currently swapping a 1989 998 auto in my 81 car. I order a lot of parts from Mini Sport. Not much auto specific stuff but they have good prices and ship fairly fast if it's in stock. There US rep lives in Florida as well. 


I would change the oil right away. Then change it again after a couple hundred miles to get the old oil out. A certain amount stays in the converter and can't be changed easily. I use Lucas motorcycle 10w40. Made a huge difference in my car. I get it at O'reillys out here as its much cheaper than the other parts stores. I get the oil filters from mini sport. I tried crossing the part number to wix but had trouble with it leaking. 

[auburngator]

Thank you for your prompt reply. I looked yesterday at Autozone and the Lucas motorcycle oil they had was a synthetic. I had read not to use synthetic, does this apply to the Luca motorcycle oil as well? How many quarts do I need to get for an oil change? Are there any gaskets that I should change at the same time?

Sorry to bomb you with questions, its just that I have my car sitting there in the drive way, calling to me to drive it, and I worry that I will do some damage if I go to much before the oil change.

[auburngator]

69hcode,

A few quick questions.

Is this the oil filter you use?

usa.minisport.com/catalog/product/view/id/2370/#product_tabs_description

Is this the oil you use?

www.amazon.com/Lucas-Oil-10767-Engine-Quart/dp/B0041CDW08/ref=sr_1_6?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1512311832&sr=1-6&keywords=lucas+10w40+motorcycle+oil

[69hcode]

I think that's the filter. I haven't ordered one in a long time since my Mini has been in pieces since May, I think.


I use the synthetic lucas. As long as it's MA2 the synthetic is fine. 

[auburngator]

Thanks.

How many quarts do I need?

[69hcode]

This is the one I use. I guess it's semi-synthetic. I think it was 6 quarts. I keep a good supply on the shelf since my old engine was thirsty for oil. Not to mention the leaks. My O'reillys usually had 4 on the shelf so I would just buy a couple every time I had to go there. 

[69hcode]

Just curious about your username. As a Gator fan myself. I was born at the hospital there. 

[limby2000]

Hi, and welcome to the forum. Sound like youve picked up a beaut there fella, ae dont see too many aircon mini,s in the uk,only the odd jap re-import, any pictures to share. Happy mini motoring, regards Terry.

[auburngator]

69hcode,

I grew up south of G'ville in Inverness FL, I come from a long line of UF grads, to the point they named me Gator, and I went to Auburn.(There is one in every family) Gator was not a popular name at Auburn.

I live in Ocala now.

[69hcode]

I lived in Belleview until I was 12. Then moved all over with family.

[auburngator]

It is a small world.

I was curios about something. Being a veteran Mini owner, what would you look for if you had just bought a Mini like mine? With no service history, I am starting with a clean slate (or hidden horrors) and wonder where I should be looking for trouble. What kind of service should I be doing to make sure my Mini is good to go.


I travel to Lake county a couple of times a week. It is about 45 miles each way, through the Ocala National Forest, on some really cool country roads. I look forward to driving that car a few hundred miles a week.

I guess i'm wondering what kind of preventative maintenance I should undertake?

[69hcode]

Do a lot of research on here for stuff to look for. I've had problems with just about everything on my car. 


Get a Haynes manual and make sure everything is greased.

I'm replacing my rear subframe because the radius arm shafts were seized and wore oblong holes in the subframe. My engine overheated due to the coolant passages in the block being plugged up. Putting in another engine that is supposed to run good. I had it idling in a subframe and it sounded good with no smoke. Seemed to shift good but no way to know until it is in the car under load. 


Had transmission issues but they got better with the correct oil. It still takes a little bit to engage when first put into gear but shifted great after that. 

[auburngator]

Thanks for the advise. I have ordered a Haynes manual from Amazon.

I have arranged to take the car to a friends house and put it up on ramps to do a thorough service. Grease is my friend, and I want to make sure and introduce it to all the places I can find on the Mini.

[69hcode]

Did you ever get the service done? Curious how she runs now.

[auburngator]

Thanks for the great advise. I was finally able to change the oil on Friday. I used a Castrol 10-w40 motorcycle oil that had the ma-2 spec. It was $5.99 a quart so almost half of what the Lucas cost. I plan on changing it twice more, after a few hundred miles. I have ordered a filter from mini-mania and should have it in a week. I will put in Lucas on the last one, that is the one I will drive on for awhile.

To answer your question, YES. I have only driven it about 15 miles since the oil change, but it is a noticeable difference. I will have a chance to drive it more today.

The chattering on take off is almost gone. The squeal going into top gear is reduced by 50%, and now, only occurs about half the time.

This forum has been a godsend, I would have been chasing my tail with out your help.


Many thanks. 

[69hcode]

Glad to hear it's getting better. I just like the Lucas oil but if it runs good with the Castrol and you're happy, stick with that. 

[auburngator]

now that I have driven it a hundred miles or so, I have noticed something. When I first start out it does not slip at all. then the more I drive the worse it gets. after 3 or 4 miles it slips as much as ever, only shifting into last gear.

I will change the oil again at 200 miles and see if there is an improvement.