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Post by clambod on Aug 24, 2010 9:44:22 GMT
Well that is good news, of a sort. you should have a well sorted mini waiting for you when you get back. I hope you have a great holiday
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Post by shoutforjoy on Sept 1, 2010 16:03:38 GMT
Thing is back! And it's running like a dream. Just drove it the 60 miles home from Wellingborough with no problems at all. Here's what MRA did: - - remove and refit engine and transmission - remove torque convertor and replace seals - replace 2 siezed rocker adjusters - full service (inc replacement oil, oil filter, air filter, plugs, points, rotor arm, dizzy cap, ht leads, fan belt, breather pipe) - replace tie bar rod bushes And a few advisories: - - at some point the rockers will need to be refaced - drivers window does not wind down correctly* - auto gearknob was broken, repaired as much as possible - replacement advised (MRA don't have one)* - appears to be a slow puncture in o/s/r tyre* *we already knew about these All-in-all we're really pleased. The total cost for all of this (including transporting the mini to Wellingborough and the train fare to collect it back today) was much lower than the anticipated cost of just getting the oil leak fixed locally (we were quoted 21 hours labour * £30 + Vat = £740 + parts).
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Post by clambod on Sept 1, 2010 16:25:11 GMT
Glad you got it back and it's running much better than before but it does sound like a fair wad of dosh.
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Post by shoutforjoy on Sept 1, 2010 19:54:48 GMT
I suppose it was a fair wad of dosh but as I said much less than we were quoted elsewhere just to fix the oil leak.
The removal of the torque convertor and fixing the seals was probably beyond my mechanical experise and did require specialist tools. After Martin explained what they went through to get the convertor out I'm really glad I didn't try to do it myself!
The bits I could have done myself (like the service) added very little labour cost to the bill. The parts would have cost the same regardless of who fitted them.
For me the bonus in taking it to MRA was getting a lot more work done for less money than I was being quoted just to fix the oil leak.
There is also the peace of mind in knowing that someone with much greater expertise than me has looked the car over and, in particular the auto transmission, and declared it to be basically sound.
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Post by clambod on Sept 2, 2010 7:23:54 GMT
Yes, there's a lot to be said for getting an "Expert" to do it. Peace of mind is worth a lot.
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Post by (minisniper) on Sept 4, 2010 19:18:34 GMT
Hiya Glad to hear all has gone well and your mini is now sorted and that you are happy with the work MRA carried out!!
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Joloke
Full Member
Founding Member
Posts: 58
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Post by Joloke on Sept 4, 2010 19:49:26 GMT
Top Bloke Martin Regarding your auto gearknob you could use a standard off the shelf at a show one meant for a manual I know Holly has used a manual style knob on at least one of her Autos also from memory i think Joakwin has an "8" ball in his Not sure if your trying to stay with original spec but may be an option for you
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Post by shoutforjoy on Sept 4, 2010 22:39:31 GMT
Thanks everyone. The gearknob isnt too bad. It just won't tighten up fully. I like the shape of the auto ones and am keeping my eyes open for one of those. If it gets any worse I will have to replace it with a manual one. I've been driving the mini around loads since we got it back and it's been running better and better - until today... It was driving great but suddenly started to pull back and run like a dog. Seemed like it was running out of fuel but it had more than half a tank. Pulling the choke out helped a lot so I'm thinking it's almost certainly a fuel problem. I was dashing between meetings and didn't have any tools on me so carried on driving slowly and carefully and after a mile or so the problem cleared and it began to run fine again. I carried on to the next meeting with no further incidents, but it happended again as I moved on to meeting number 3. Exactly the same symptons. This time I was so close to the meeting hall that it didn't have time to clear. When the third meeting finished I drove the mini home and it was fine all the way. I'm planning to take it for a little test drive tomorrow and see how it goes. Any recurrence and I will have to start looking at the fuel system and/or carb to see what's going wrong. I wonder if bumping and bouncing around the country lanes of Notts has shaken up some sediment from the fuel tank and it's gotten into the system.
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Post by clambod on Sept 5, 2010 6:30:11 GMT
Have a look in the float bowl. There maybe stuff in there that shouldn't be there. with regard to the gear knob, I have have some stuff that you could put on to hold it in place but not too tight you can't get it off if you want to.
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Post by shoutforjoy on Sept 8, 2010 13:48:58 GMT
Didn't have time to look at the mini over the weeked. Finally got around to it today. The poor running episodes seem to have been down to a loose connection on the coil. I've cleaned all the connections up and put a new connector on one of the wires and everything seems fine. You never can tell with intermittent problems though - time will tell. Took the missus out for lunch in the mini today (just to check it out after I sorted the connections). It ran really well. Used the opportunity to take some pictures to send to the insurance company to sort out the agreed valuation. Here are the pictures: I've asked for a valuation of £1,500. Do you think that's OK?
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Post by clambod on Sept 8, 2010 15:28:00 GMT
I think £1,500 is a fair value for your mini
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Post by shoutforjoy on Sept 16, 2010 15:07:44 GMT
The good news is that Footman James agreed with my £1,500 valuation. That's about what it's cost me so far (purchase price + makeover + MRA visit) The bad news is that the running problem came back yesterday. I need to find a couple of hours to look at it over the next few days if I can. Seems like ages since I did any real work on the mini, it's still got a greasy hand print on the front window from it's visit to MRA. I've also got to fit new rear brake pads to the Vectra which, sadly, must take priority.
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Post by (minisniper) on Sept 16, 2010 18:35:05 GMT
Glad to hear you got your agreed valuation with Footman James and I'm sorry to hear about your problems, let us know how you get on!!
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Post by clambod on Sept 17, 2010 6:52:11 GMT
Have a look in the float bowl and see if there is any muck in there. I'd fit a fuel filter as well, just in case.
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Post by shoutforjoy on Sept 24, 2010 7:16:58 GMT
Finally got a bit of time to look at the running problem: - - cleaned out the float bowl (not too bad but a bit of sediment) - topped up the dashpot oil - refitted air filter correctly (there was a small gap part of the way round as the top wasn't fitted correctly) - checked and cleaned plugs - if anything it's running a bit rich - checked HT leads - one is a little bit of a stretch but does seem to fit ok. - checked and cleaned dizzy cap and rotor arm - made sure all HT and LT connections are tight. - it has a 65DM4 dizzy (Lucas electronic ignition) so there's no points to check. I don't think that this is original as I thought it was only fitted to some 1275 engines.
As the cars has done less than 200 miles since MRA serviced it all these things seemed ok as you would expect.
Took it for a test drive of about 5 miles and it ran fine. So, fingers crossed, it will be sorted. With all intermittent problems thoughh only time will tell.
If this doesn't work then I'll porobably take the carb to bits and clean it thoroughly and consider changing the coil.
I also got the puncture in the tyre fixed. Took it to ATS and they sorted it for free!
Finally, washed and polished thing. It's looking good but I'm still not happy with the bits I resprayed. Hopefully the running problems with be sorted and I will be able to begin looking at this next opportunity I get.
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Post by clambod on Sept 25, 2010 7:07:45 GMT
Glad to hear you are getting there. Amazing how much time it takes to do these "1minute" jobs.
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Post by shoutforjoy on Sept 30, 2010 16:17:54 GMT
Grrr! The running problem is back. Took it out on Tuesday to rescue my wife who had broken down in the family runabout, made it over 15 miles then it started running rough again. This is so frustrating. Got a new GCL143 coil (a brand new OE Austin Rover/Unipart one for £15 inc P&P) and fitted that today. Try again. If this fails the next step is either to replace the electronic ignition unit or to strip down the carb and service it fully. And the Vectra is fubarred too! Dropped a piston. Looks like the mini respray is put back.
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Post by clambod on Oct 4, 2010 7:39:36 GMT
Just have a look at the earth connection from the body to the engine as if there is a poor connection it can give this sort of problem.
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Post by shoutforjoy on Oct 13, 2010 16:22:45 GMT
The Thing seems to be running fine since the new coil was fitted, although it did have a cough and a splutter the other day. I'm not going to declare it sorted just yet though as we've been round this so many times bfeore! I've still got an in-line fuel filter to fit at some point and a new engine bay earth strap following Chris's advice. Didn't have much time today but I did lift all of the carpets and inspect the floor pan. cleaned up some surface rust and painted some Hammerite Rust Beater over the affected areas. Looks like it will need new inner sills at some point in the not-to-distant future. Hoovered the car out and fitted a steering wheel cover as I don't like the feel of the standard Austin Rover steering wheel. The wheel may be changed when we eventually get around to looking at the interior. The new cover is red and black leather and does go quite well with the "Red Hot" interior, although the picture doesn't do it justice.
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Post by asahartz on Oct 14, 2010 16:54:25 GMT
As regards the earth strap, check the condition of the engine steady bushes while you're at it. I just had a problem with the battery going flat on Skye; realising one of my steady bushes was completely knackered I replaced it with poly. Seems it was allowing some movement of the earth strap because of it, because the charging problem was solved at the same time!
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Post by shoutforjoy on Oct 14, 2010 20:20:05 GMT
Thanks Chris, I will take a look. I expect that the engine steady bushes will be OK though as I'm sure Martin would have checked and changed them while the mini was at MRA.
The earth strap is probably OK too but is looking a bit worse for wear so I thought I'd change it anyway for the sake of a couple of quid.
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Post by shoutforjoy on Nov 24, 2010 21:13:49 GMT
It's been ages since I did anything on the mini. I've got a new fuel filter and earth strap to fit but not had much time.
It's running really well though so what little free time I have is spent enjoying it! It really doesn't like running in tfhe cold though; starts first turn of the starter motor and seems to tickover and rev fine, but drives a bit sluggish until it's good and warm. Sometime I have to play with the the choke setting and it does seem to respond better if you stick your foot down flat.
Does anyone else have this problem? I've never had it before and I'm wondering if the carb needs a bit of a tune/set-up.
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Post by clambod on Nov 25, 2010 8:03:14 GMT
I believe that it's the oil that's thick when cold and it's fine when warmed up. Could try some 15/40W oil for the winter.
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Post by shoutforjoy on Nov 30, 2010 20:34:37 GMT
Martin at MRA put 15w/40 oil in it when he serviced it (this is what he recommends although I usually use 20w/50). I don't want to go any thinner as I've heard horror stories of thinner oil leaking from all over the place. Now that we've finally sorted a replacement for the Vectra (a Rover 75 Tourer) I'm hoping to get a bit of time to spend on it soon - weather and work permitting. At the moment it's exposed to the cold and snow. I usually keep it covered but when I used it last week it got damp and went dark when I wasn't looking. I won't put the cover on top of a damp car so I really need to clear the snow off, dry it off and cover it up. All I need is some time during daylight hours
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Post by shoutforjoy on Jan 2, 2011 8:39:34 GMT
Took her out for a run yesterday. About a mile from home one of the windscreen wipers stopped working - just sat there looking sorry for itself Looked at it when we got home and discovered that all the teeth inside the wiper arm (where it fits on the spline) had worn off. These are brand new stainless steel wipers bought from Wood and Pickett in the summer and hardly used as the car has nly covered a few hundred miles since. I'm a bit disappointed as W&P generally have a good name - sadly they've taken to selling poor quality imported stuff. Anyway I put the old grey wiper arms back on and they work really well. Actually clean the screen better. I've been told that if I clean the grey paint off these I will find stainless steel underneath. Has anyone done this? What's the best thing to remove the paint without scratching the steel underneath too badly?
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Post by shoutforjoy on Feb 1, 2011 14:19:02 GMT
Off whe went for her MOT today. A few minor things:- - front shock - CV gaiter - Exhaust blowing at the manifold. Essily fixed and he has recommended that we get a cast clamp to hold the exhaust as they are much better than the pressed steel ones. - a small amount of welding required in the boot corner Not too bad at all. I can live with that MOT tester commented that the car is 'rock solid' underneath except the small patch in the boot but does need to be waxoyled or similar over the summer. Another job on the list!
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Post by clambod on Feb 2, 2011 12:09:52 GMT
Glad to hear that there is nothing major
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Post by shoutforjoy on Feb 15, 2011 16:49:42 GMT
Sunday was Things birthday - 25 years old and still going strong. Today all the MOT jobs have been finished and she has a shiny new MOT with no advisories. And the MOT tester, who has more 30 years experience of classic cars, tuned the carb after the test (during the test he had to lean out the mixture a bit to get it the past emissions) and she's runnning better than ever. All-in-all a good few days. We are now planning the next stages of her makeover, ready for the summer.
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Post by asahartz on Feb 15, 2011 19:49:23 GMT
Good to find a tester who knows his stuff. One of the testers at my station used to sell Minis when he was younger. He knows just what to look for - and how everything should be!
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Post by shoutforjoy on Mar 28, 2011 19:56:59 GMT
Not done anything much on the mini lately. But have taken advantage of people's shortage of cash in the New Year to acquire some bits for the next stage of the makeover - mainly "The quest to be rid of the brown". The quest to be rid of the brown is focussed on the interior. The mini was originally a Mayfair with the usual brown interior. The previous owner had replaced the seats, door cards and some of the carpet with the interior from a 'Red Hot' but had left the dash, binnacle, steering cowl and some of the carpet in brown. We are planning to get rid of as much brown as possible and replace with black (or red) to go with the Red Hot seats. Did a bit of a stock take today and surprised myself with all the bits that are waiting to be fitted. I know how you lot love pictures, so here goes. - top and bottom dash rails
- binnacle
- steering column cowl
- old Mountney steering wheel in red
- power socket (cigarette lighter)
- Red rocker cover with chrome filler cap (I'm not usually one to go for engine bling but it was cheap!)
- windscreen wipers
- grille buttons
a new gear knob that I have been seeking for a while. Eventually got round to calling on Chris (asahartz) to collect. - halogen headlights (bought the full units)
- high level LED brake light
Acquired a few manuals too. The ones in the front row are the original owners manuals that would have come with the car. Hoping to have this lot fitted in time for the East Midlands Mini Show at Thoresby Hall on 2nd May. Going to be busy. ps: We've decided that 'The Thing' is not a nice name for the mini so we're looking for a new name - any suggestions?
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