New AT mini owner

[liamtsui96]

Hi all, I am Liam form Hong Kong, and i am New owner for using AT Mini 1995.

I have some question for AT Mini.

1)After Reversing to "D" will have a big hit(bump sound) , It is normally?
2)Idle speed cant stably? like 800-1000. The engine like breathing?
3)Brake pedal is very hard and If i am waiting for the traffic light should change gear to "N"? or still keep "D"?
4)After washing car, right boot will water leakage. Is it basic problem with mini?
5)Which oil good or AT Mini because i saw lot of post said 20w50, but Hong Kong hard to buy this oil, may i know have other option? 
6)If i change oil need to change oil filter same time?
7)Sometime I turn off engine around 5-10 Mins and i try to start again it will not easily to turn on and need around 5-10 sec. May i know what is this solution? 


Thank you everyone, and sorry for bad with English.

[jockduck]

Hi and welcome, Not sure what an AT mini is but here we go,
Yes a bump is normal going from reverse to D worse if idle speed is on the high side, 800-1000 is high for idle speed, should be 650 rpm, you may have a tuning issue. I usually slip into N during long stops, yes can be difficult to hold on the brakes especially the hand brake. Water leaks were a problem with early Minis but I would thought by 1995 these would have been resolved, perhaps you have a rust problem!! 20w50 is correct for manual Minis, autos need something thinner I use a 15w40 there is some strong views on this site about the correct oil just don't use an oil with friction modifiers which will cause clutch slip. I change oil at 2000 miles and the filter every second change but that is just my way. Not sure about the poor starting when hot may be down to tuning again.
Your English is better than my Chinese
Jock

[liamtsui96]

Jock,

Thank you for your answers.
In Hong Kong AT mean automatic😂
Because a big bump scary for me any changing gear. Afraid has any gearbox problem.
Also, i have onetime engine shut down at traffic light and can not turn on again, After to garage, said one sensor was shut down. It is a normally problem for sensor or I am unluckily ？

Thanks

[jockduck]

Hi again, Sorry I can't help I know nothing of "modern" Minis, mine does not have sensors.
Jock

[richard1]

It is important that you use 10W-40 Motorcycle oil, rated MA2 in your Mini. This will prolong the life of the clutches in the transmission.

The bump is idle speed related, but pops up once in a while for me, although I've never tried to isolate the "when".

Do not shift to neutral. The previous owner of mine apparently did that, so my "R" position is different coming from P or from D. The shifter has too much play from too much shifting. I'm considering taking it to a machinist to figure out how to put a bearing in it.

As for the filter, yes, it should be changed with every oil change. But oil changes with a good MA2 oil do not need to be as frequent as many people do them. Yes, it is a big pain to get the old gasket out and get the new one in right. I suggest you buy a cheap torque wrench, as it needs about 14-15 ft lbs of torque, and anything more will collapse the canister. I learned that the hard way. And those canisters are not readily available.

more on oil selection: Oil selection for Mini's


Tarija and Santa Cruz, Bolivia

[mra-minis]

Dec 28, 2021 15:12:35 GMT liamtsui96 said:

Jock,

Thank you for your answers.
In Hong Kong AT mean automatic😂
Because a big bump scary for me any changing gear. Afraid has any gearbox problem.
Also, i have onetime engine shut down at traffic light and can not turn on again, After to garage, said one sensor was shut down. It is a normally problem for sensor or I am unluckily ？

Thanks

I can be contacted on [e-mail]

If you reduce the tickover to around 650 and still get the bump then the forward clutch retainer plate has in all probability failed or the plates have worn increasing the gap, from the factory they often had a "thud" in to gear but this was caused by shabby workmanship leaving the gap too large between the clutch plates, I have seen this gap set from the factory at 2mm (0.080")

[mra-minis]

Dec 28, 2021 15:12:35 GMT liamtsui96 said:

Jock,

Because a big bump scary for me any changing gear. Afraid has any gearbox problem.
Also, i have onetime engine shut down at traffic light and can not turn on again, After to garage, said one sensor was shut down. It is a normally problem for sensor or I am unluckily ？

I can be contacted on [e-mail]

If you hit another bump and it dies, look for the inertia safety switch, it will be a square rubber capped switch in the engine bay, just press it in and it should click and you can now start up again