Hi all! My wife and I are the proud new owners of a '76 Layland mini panelvan (and loving it). This is our first mini and it isn't in perfect condition, so naturally, we have a few questions...

a) Yesterday it idle'd like a v8 about to die. This morning I removed the "thingie" (we are getting a manual soon!) that sits on top of the carbarator (not the aircleaner housing, its underneath that.), and cleaned it (with good 'ol WD40) and now it runs a bit smoother, but its still not great. This weekend the whole thing, including carbie, will be removed and soaked and cleaned in petrol. Is there anything else we should do to investigate the rough idle?

b) Over 50k's an hour there is a noise coming from the rear that sounds like an unbalanced tyre. Last night I checked the tyre pressure and one side was 25psi and the other was 35. I put them all at 35 and the noise "changed" but is still present. This morning I read under the hood that the tyres should be at 24psi? I will put them all at that and see what happens. My wife thinks it sounds like exhaust. Does anyone know if panelvan's normally make a noise like this?

Any help would be appreciated!

Marty & Manda

I won't speculate on the noise in the rear end...could just be a loose exhaust as Manda says...take it into see Steve at Brickworx (soon)....as for the tyre placard, ignore it, it was put there to make people comfortable....don't know what tyres you have, but if they are radials start at around 30 PSI and experiment from there.

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Hmm sounds like when I first got NAV.
If you're not savvy under the bonnet then leave it closed and go to a reputable mini workshop like brikworx and get them to sort it out as it can be a number of things.
As far as the noise goes it's pretty normal for the rear of the van to rumble a bit as it's a big empty drum (tap the roof and see)
Firstly check the seals on the back doors so you don't get fumes in the cabin.
Second put some carpet down in the load area as it will noticeably quieten the rear.
Thirdly if the car has been sitting around for a bit the tyres have probably got a flat spot which sounds like a dud bearing, also while looking at your tyres check them for nicks, cracks and other damage.
With the tyre pressure I used to run 32psi front and 28psi rear for comfort and 38/34 for my trips into the hills. This combo had the best feeling for me.

Oh and most importantly enjoy mini ownership!



Ahh memories of a newly aquired Van



I forgot how bad NAV was when we rescued him. anyways much blood, sweat, tears and swear words later.

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Thanks for the tips, I can be proficient under a bonnet but I've never owned or worked on a mini. I really need to get a manual and figure out where the air/fuel mixture screw is and where to adjust the idle, for now. There is a big black knob on top, poking from the middle of the air cleaner, but it doesn't seem to make any difference when I play with it

I have made an appointment with Brickworx to get a tune up next week. Before then I would like to get some new tyres.

Any recommendations on where to go for some decent mini tyres and a mini shop manual?

The black knob on the top of the carburettor is the dashpot damper, take it out and you'll see a tube that is filled with oil, make sure there is still oil in there - you should feel resistance as you push the damper back in, if so it's probably fine. According to the manual, this should be checked like you check the engine oil (I never do!). If its low, put a bit of 10w fork oil/ATF or similar in there.

The mixture adjuster is on the very bottom of the carb, directly under the dashpot damper, and the idle speed is to the right of the carb near the dashpot.

But as others have said, if you aren't comfortable take it to someone who knows Minis, SUs are great but you can screw them up fairly easy if you don't know what you're doing (and sometimes even if you do )

OH MY GOSH!! Anto, that thing is as dry as the Simpson! When I disassembled it yesterday it was dry and mysterious. Now it makes a little more sense but... what does it do? Have I ruined anything by running it when it is dry?

Thanks for the help.

It's a damper, its a constant velocity carb so the dashpot runs up and down, with a spring inside, but also with oil in that tube to dampen the movement (as the name implies ). If it's dry that could make it idle rough. So put some oil in it. You don't have to fill it right to the top. It's generally easiest to take the air filter off and put your finger into the carb and push the dashpot up all the way that way you can see the tube properly and avoid overfilling it. It has to be full enough so the damper meets some resistance before it reaches the threads to be screwed in. Put too much in and it spills everywhere and makes a mess

Anto, you are the man! Thanks much for the help, we are going to find this '10w fork' oil now. I think this may be the reason for the rough idle .

Jaffa

No you havn't ruined it by driving it dry. Just for the moment - dont take it off and dont soak it in petrol. For an SU thats not the way to go.

Let brickworkz play with it next week.

In the meantime send me your email (by private message and I will send you a PDF manual on the SU and some exploded diagrams. SUs have a idle speed adjustment and the mixture adjustment is under the carby. But...... the design of an SU is very good and very simple - they dont just go out of adjustment - Leave it for Steve.

Sending it now Mike_Byron, the previous owner said it is a 1.5 SU carb. I'm not sure if that makes a difference.

Thanks for the help.

Marty & Manda

if its running poorly at idle,check for a vacuum leak, also running too rich will cause a lumpy idle which will be indicated by a petrol smell and black smoke from the exhaust..
i tuned the mixture, replaced the spark plugs and leads too

this fixed my stock leyland S and it runs beautifully now!

you probably have a worn rear wheel bearing or bearings which isnt a big deal..

I agree with al the above also., Su's are great once you know how they work and where every thing is. Have a fidle but try and rember where you started from so you can get it back to where it is is it does not run any better. Good to see your taking it to Brickworks and ask if you can sit in with them so you can see what they are doing and where

I also think its a wheel bearing, the thing is the noice travels and cant be found by ear. You will have to get down and jack each wheel up and check.
Its not hard to change the wheel bearings but can be a problem the first time with out the rite tools.

Congratulations on you purchase of your first Mini and a Van
Let us know how you get on and please put some picks of your pride and Joy...Go the Vans

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