Hey All.

So i used to drive my mini daily for a few years... and it was glorious.

But a couple of months ago it started blowing smoke and lots a bunch of power, and on closer inspection it lost compress on one of the cylinders.
So yeah, it still runs but its been parked in the shed for the last few months.

I haven't taken the head off yet to be sure, but I had a mechanic friend have a look and he was pretty confidence that it was a burned valve.

I have another 998 engine which I might be able to swap a head over from, but I've never done that before... so I've been putting it off.

How hard is it to change a head? and I guess, if it take the head off the engine, will it be easy to confirm that the burned valve is definitely the problem?

Cheers,

Matt

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1975 Hairy Lime/White Clubby
Build Thread: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=80657

Not hard, just dont try to rush it, and have a few dollars set aside for a new VRS Gasket set, and what ever damage you find. I wouldn't bother going to the trouble of swapping another head over, unless you are 100% sure of the replacement heads' condition.

So you think I would be better of just taking the head off and getting it rebuilt? or replace the bad valve or what ever needs doing?

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1975 Hairy Lime/White Clubby
Build Thread: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=80657

That would be my plan of attack

I got a head rebuild on an old mazda years ago, best thing i ever did. Do minis need to be set up for unleaded? Now would be the time.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

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http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=93352

If I'm carrying on like a pork-chop, I'm having a great time.

If I go very quiet there's a very good chance I broke something.

Not only will having the head that's got the dodgey valve rebuilt fix the problem, it'll also likely make the engine run better than ever before. I've had a similar experience and I wish I just got the original head rebuilt in the first place and saved myself the time under the bonnet.
Being only 4 cylinder you should be able to get it rebuilt and cleaned and all the usual for around $200. Shop around and find the best place near you to help you make your mind up!

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-----Better is the enemy of good-----
-1976 Yellow Devil Leyland Clubman-
-1970 Morris Mini Van - Work in progress-

It's a matter of money. If you have the patience and tools then do it yourself.
For something with mileage and daily-driver stickers I'm doubting a burnt valve so long as the crank case isn't pressurising with blowby, more likely a buildup of crud on the seat or valve face stopping sealing.

Do agree a professional rebuild will deliver outstanding results especially with some additional comp from the head facing.

The real challenge with Minis is, 1: the small financial increments to take "another" performance step-up, 2: the large number of steps, when do you stop?
I suspect making small steps successfully provides more fun then taking a large one and forever feeling the financial pain required.

I'm all about getting it back on the road without spending a bomb.

Performance isnt really a concern as much as it being fun to drive around. So ill probably just take the head off, get it rebuilt and stick it back on.

If anything comes up in the process i guess ill review my options.

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1975 Hairy Lime/White Clubby
Build Thread: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=80657

Have you done a wet compression check first before removing the head. This will confirm if it's a valve or ring compression problem.