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

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'77 Leyland Mini Van

It has oil in it? Serious question.

Good question. Yes it reads halfway between min and max on the dipstick.

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'77 Leyland Mini Van

random but check the plugs are the really black?

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.

Timing? If it's got lots too much advance it'll overheat real fast and run like a pig to boot...

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

sounds like the thermostat was stuffed & wasn`t opening 7 now has blown the head-gasket











maybe????














just a wild guess

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

sounds exactly like that to me too...

Me too.... ( Only cause Matt says so)

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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!

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'77 Leyland Mini Van

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.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

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



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...



a vacuum leak will make it run fast, or idle up and down - where'd that come from?

I think he meant crankshaft

although I see where he got the idea

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1964 998cc Cooper
1971 Mini K x 2
1972 Clubman GT

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.

Might even be worth turing the key and see if the engine rotates still

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1964 998cc Cooper
1971 Mini K x 2
1972 Clubman GT