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Dead head?
https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=77075		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Gotta_Van [ Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:07 am ]
Post subject:  Dead head?
Hi guys,

I have a problem with my mini. I replaced the lower radiator hose yesterday as the old one had a couple of holes and I assumed that it was contributing to an overheating problem I was having.

I took it for a short drive (about 5 minutes) yesterday and it got to normal temp quite quickly. I let it cool and then checked there was no coolant loss (which there didn't appear to be). So I took it for a longer test drive. Before I knew it, the temp gauge was getting close to red, so I pulled over. Just before I stopped, the car began to run very rough.

I left it to cool by the side of the road for a couple of hours (during which time I have decided the water pump will be the next thing to check as the overheating culprit). When I went back, I checked the coolant level which was still fine, and started her up. Still running like a chaff cutter, and just while idling started to chugg and the revs just got slower and slower and the throttle wouldn't do anything and it stopped.

I fear the worst, ausmini! Has anyone got any ideas or suspicions? I guess I'm kind of hoping you'll tell me my head's not broken :-(

Ben
Author:  smac [ Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:26 am ]
Post subject: 
It has oil in it? Serious question.
Author:  Gotta_Van [ Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:38 am ]
Post subject: 
Good question. Yes it reads halfway between min and max on the dipstick.
Author:  NG [ Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:01 am ]
Post subject: 
random but check the plugs are the really black?
Author:  Irish Yobbo [ Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:44 am ]
Post subject: 
Low oil pressure can cause overheating, and the fact that it got slower and slower until it stops sounds pretty bad to me. It might be a failed oil pump, which means the engine may have seized. If you put it out of gear, try putting a spanner on the camshaft pully and turning it. If it turns, good. It would be easier to turn with the spark plugs out.
Author:  sgc [ Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:38 am ]
Post subject: 
Timing? If it's got lots too much advance it'll overheat real fast and run like a pig to boot...
Author:  TheMiniMan [ Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:45 am ]
Post subject: 
sounds like the thermostat was stuffed & wasn`t opening 7 now has blown the head-gasket











maybe????














just a wild guess
Author:  simon k [ Wed Jun 06, 2012 12:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
TheMiniMan wrote:
sounds like the thermostat was stuffed & wasn`t opening 7 now has blown the head-gasket



sounds exactly like that to me too...
Author:  brett [ Wed Jun 06, 2012 1:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
simon k wrote:
TheMiniMan wrote:
sounds like the thermostat was stuffed & wasn`t opening 7 now has blown the head-gasket



sounds exactly like that to me too...


Me too.... ( Only cause Matt says so)
:D
Author:  Gotta_Van [ Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the advice guys. Although it had a new thermostat a few months ago, it has been sitting for about 6 weeks without coolant, which could have caused the thermostat to jam up a little I suppose?

What would be your advice from here? I'll try to turn the camshaft when I get home from work. If it turns okay, should I take off the head and have a look? If its just the gasket, though, that wouldn't prevent it from running would it? Or would it be the fact that there would be a vacuum leak causing it to run poorly and conk out? Sorry for all the questions, folks, I really appreciate your advice!
Author:  drmini in aust [ Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'd pull the thermostat and stick it in a pot on the stove, see if it opens.
If it seems to have a problem, then I'd pull the head off for a looksee.
Author:  simon k [ Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
Gotta_Van wrote:
I'll try to turn the camshaft when I get home from work.


que?? how are you going to do that, and what will it prove?

Gotta_Van wrote:
If its just the gasket, though, that wouldn't prevent it from running would it?


head gasket failures have a few different symptoms, yours sounds like a pretty classic symptom. It most certainly can and usually does stop the car from running...

Gotta_Van wrote:
Or would it be the fact that there would be a vacuum leak causing it to run poorly and conk out? Sorry for all the questions, folks, I really appreciate your advice!


a vacuum leak will make it run fast, or idle up and down - where'd that come from?
Author:  Panthersteve [ Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
simon k wrote:
Gotta_Van wrote:
I'll try to turn the camshaft when I get home from work.


que?? how are you going to do that, and what will it prove?


I think he meant crankshaft :wink:

although I see where he got the idea :wink:

Irish Yobbo wrote:
, try putting a spanner on the camshaft pully and turning it. If it turns, good. .
Author:  Irish Yobbo [ Wed Jun 06, 2012 6:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Panthersteve wrote:
simon k wrote:
Gotta_Van wrote:
I'll try to turn the camshaft when I get home from work.


que?? how are you going to do that, and what will it prove?


I think he meant crankshaft :wink:

although I see where he got the idea :wink:

Irish Yobbo wrote:
, try putting a spanner on the camshaft pully and turning it. If it turns, good. .


Sorry, my bad. Yeah, if you can get a spanner onto the crankshaft pulley bolt, you can see if the engine still turns. I presume you're saying it stopped and won't turn over? It's a 1-5/16 bolt I think.
Author:  Panthersteve [ Wed Jun 06, 2012 6:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
Might even be worth turing the key and see if the engine rotates still
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