Help!!

[charlie_mini]

well hopefully mine will be going by tonight (i know i've said that every night so far!) Had it running last night, up to temperature, everything's nice and tight, tappets re-adjusted, head re-torqued, exhaust re-tightened.
Had fun trying to set the fuel mix and the timing tho, the dizzy is a fully adjustable one that you need to drive/ then adjust / then drive/ then adjust. but its been missfiring and didn't seem to have enough power to drive it anywere - turns out it was my fault again! been going flat out every minute i've had since saturday and i think i'm starting to get burned out and making stoopid mistakes! :(
when i couldn't get it going on tuesday i reverted to the instructions for the dizzy, and firing order stood out...
I've always set the firing order 1-2-4-3 clockwise as you look at the dizzy, which has worked fine before now....... reverting to the instructions they say the firing order is 1-3-4-2. So changed my order and the car ran, although it's running on 3(ish) and mis/backfiring!
just falling asleep last night and i had a moment of realisation! :( the rotor arm travels anti-clockwise!! so i was right in the first place! 1-2-4-3 clockwise and 1-3-4-2 anticlockwise give the same firing pattern!

Its the small things you overlook when you're rushing and they're usually the ones that make you look most stooooopid! how daft do i feel :(

[@lex]

you look stooooped when you over look the small things but dont figure it out for your self... well done mate.

so is the 1-2-4-3 firing order working for you. sounds like you are just about sorted. i noticed there are three :( on your last post.... hope to see some :) :D soon.

cheers

[charlie_mini]

me too, i just gotta try it when i get home from work! :)

[Gr4H4m]

looks like you are nearly there mate keep up the good work.

[charlie_mini]

nearly.... ran well for a bit but then cut out and wouldn't start again! also the block and everything physically attached to it seem to get very very hot! ultimate engine steady, dizzy, block, cyl head, rocker cover (thought it seemed hot coz of the ambient temp but it really is burning hot now! :( ) i've lost about 100mls of water from the rad but not into the oil (thru head gasket) water pump is turning and fan seems to be working as the temp guage is only rising at normal speed, but the engine seems hotter than its showing???
anyone got any ideas?? im all out! :(

[charlie_mini]

had a thought abobut this, could it be that theres a major air lock somewere in the system and the water's not getting round and into the engine??? how would i check?

[charlie_mini]

(I've moved this from the 'coming out of hibernation thread!)

Can anyone help? i'm all out of ideas....

[Gr4H4m]

when I run mine after changing the head gasket I open the heater tap and run it with the rad cap off you should see a few bubbles in the rad. I also give the pipes a good squeeze. when you rev the engine the water should drop a little in the rad.

Did you make sure the bypass hose was tight? I always forget

PS is the fan arround the correct way?

[charlie_mini]

yeah, the fan is the right way round, and the bypass hose is tight, (can't see any water leaking or dripping from anywere) I've given the pipes a squeeze, the bottom hose makes the water in the rad 'jump' when you do, but none of the others do. the other night when i ran it up, i had water coming throught the thermostat and into the top hose but last night the water temp didn't get hot enough to but the engine was very hot! all the water pipes were cool, but the rad didn't seem to have the usual pressure behind it when you take the cap off?
cheers

[Gr4H4m]

are you running a thermostat? if not you need a blanking plate with the hole in.

[Gr4H4m]

I take it off before starting the engine and before the water is hot so you dont get it all over your self it should just let the water get into all of the system

[charlie_mini]

cool i'll give that a try when i get home..... should be interesting as i dont think it's been off the car yet....

cheers

[Gr4H4m]

what the rad cap?

[charlie_mini]

no the thermostat...?

[Steve]

Hi Eric
Here are a few thing to look at and check
I think it may be are thermosat if there is no coolant loss, also could be the timing.

Overheating
1. Inoperative thermostat 1. Replace thermostat
2. Radiator fin choked with mud, leaves etc. 2. Clean out air passage.
3. Incorrect ignition and valve timing 3. Tune engine.
4. Dirty oil and sludge in engine 4. Change engine oil and filter.
5. Inoperative water pump 5. Replace (or check-electrical).
6. Loose fan belt 6. Adjust tension.
7. Restricted radiator 7. Flush radiator.
8. Inaccurate temperature gauge 8. Replace temperature gauge
9. Impurity in water. 9. Use soft, clean water.

Loss of coolant
1. Damaged radiator 1. Repair or replace radiator.
2. Leak at heater connection or plug 2. Repair or replace.
3. Damaged cylinder head gasket 3. Replace gasket. Check engine oil and refill as necessary.
4. Cracked cylinder block. 4. Replace cylinder block. Check engine oil in crankcase for mixing with water.
5. Cracked cylinder head. 5. Replace cylinder head.
6. Loose cylinder head bolts 6. Tighten cylinder head bolts.

[charlie_mini]

I was thinking about the timing but i've got a new dizzy on which prob needs setting up properly, was going to put the old one back in to set the fuel mix, then start messin with the dizzy.

I'll try getting the thermostat out too and see if that's working or not later.

was just a bit conserned when the thing cut out and wouldn't run again, then you go to the haynes manual and it says

-incorrect carb mix
-faulty cooling
-faulty ignition
-serious overheating
-serious mechanical failure.....

seems worse as you get down the list and i've only just built the engine, dont really want to condemn it yet! :(

cheers

[Steve]

I would say the timing have you check for a spark after it cut out.

[Steve]

A mini will only not run if there is no fuel or no spark, if it has both it should fire up. Even if it runs badly.

[Steve]

The block would get hot and not the water if there was no oil in it.

[charlie_mini]

the oil's full and its circulating coz when i was running it with the rocker cover off it sprays up the push rods,
I' didn't check the spark after it cut out.. was in a bad mood and just came in!! :( then went to the pub....
I'll have another go tonight when i get in
cheers

[charlie_mini]

been out today... definately getting a strong spark from both dizzy's (put the original ones) definately gettin some fuel in as i was shooting massive flames out of the exhaust, turned the dizzy a bit and they shot out of the inlet, from the vacuum takeoff and the manifold. at one part it blew the vacuum take off for the brakes off and along with it all the threads! :( said it before, i'll say it again... worst inlet manifold i've seen!! ordered a new torquemaster inlet from minispares, should be here tuesday AM! hopefully thats all it takes... got the week off now so should be working to get me to the meetin on wednesday!

cheers

[@lex]

sounds dangerous. fingers crossed for you getting to the meeting with your eye brows in tact mate. :eek: :)

cheers

[charlie_mini]

i was fine but kept scaring the kids playing in the street! they must have thought i was shooting at them or somethin! :D:D

[@lex]

ha ha... they will think twice before getting there ball from your garden. :D

cheers

[Gr4H4m]

hells bells mate

[charlie_mini]

was quite funny tho.... :D think i proved without doubt..... i've got a spark and explosives..... all i need now is a working engine! :D

[Deano]

Me old rally car set me fence on fire one morning:eek:

[TONYELF]

i was fine but kept scaring the kids playing in the street! they must have thought i was shooting at them or somethin! :D:D

You'll have to watch out there M8y, I've split a whole silencer from end to end once. I had a hair line crack in the dizzy, took a while to find the crack as it was so fine.:eek:

[Steve]

How are you getting on with the car.

[charlie_mini]

changed the head gasket today and it's running. double checked the thermostat and water pump while i was at it and they both seem fine - but it seems to idle ok but didnt have enough power to put the car back up the drive. on idle tested the mix and that seems pretty ok and the stock dizzy is in and the timing is ok (if you accelerate smoothly and slow - jab the pedal or accelerate too quick and it retards 5-10 degrees before it advances! ??) gonna put the 123 dizzy back on tomorrow and see how that goes...
still dont seem to be able to get reverse tho...? lift the stick and pull it into place.... car tries to go forwards and the stick wont come back to neutral without some persuasion! :(
at least its going for the time being to i'll be back out at 10 in the morning to carry on! :( so much for a week off!!

any suggestions on the gear issue??

cheers

[Steve]

Does it go into all the other gears ok? If you move the selector fork by hand as they enter the box can you enage gears then? It could be that the gearchange linkage is worn, loose or maladjusted.

Is the engine getting hot still.

[Gr4H4m]

Eric is truly a miniadict hardcore member, well apart from getting up at 10:00 :) good luck mate if I knew anything about gearboxes I would give you a hand.

[Deano]

Hi Eki did you put the metal bush back on the fork on the gear rod ? i took it out one of mine & bolted it up solid to try stop the play & it wouldnt go into reverse.

[charlie_mini]

yeah the engine is still gettin hot.... but it used to do this when i got it... just a case of settin the timing an mix.... properly. i've adjusted the selector and it seems to go into the other gears ok, according to haynes they say to re-check the clutch again.... so thats another job for tomorrow...
as for gr4h4m... 10am on a week off is early!! :):)

[charlie_mini]

Hi Eki did you put the metal bush back on the fork on the gear rod ? i took it out one of mine & bolted it up solid to try stop the play & it wouldnt go into reverse.
what metal bush??? :D

[bigtoe]

maybe the selector rod is bent im sure u said last time we spoke thet u had to bend it becuse you couldnt get the pin out ?? i have a spare one here if u want to try it

[charlie_mini]

not going to speak too soon but think i may have sorted it!!!
will post tomorrow once i've managed a proper road test....
all i'll say is its the little things you overlook! :(
and i wouldn't completely rule out repeat human error!
fingers crossed for 2m,
drove it back up the drive this evening and she nearly shot me through the porch! its never pulled like that before! :D:D
thanks for all your helps everyone! :D

[Gr4H4m]

well done mate I hope its all cool..

[charlie_mini]

seemed much better than it was on the original engine! much quicker! :) fingers crossed for tomorrow! then all i need is 500 miles on the engine before the RR shootout! :D
cheers

[Steve]

How is the mini today. After a little run.

[RSP]

Well done mate, fingers and everything crossed here for you aswell mate.

[@lex]

hope every thing is ok.

cheers

[charlie_mini]

went out for a couple of runs over the weekend.... everything seems good! :D got an oil leak from the flywheel casing so think the clutch could be slipping a bit down to that but not as bad as before! :D just tweeking the advance curves and the fueling mix... everything seems good....
start the new job tomorrow so its 60 motorway miles a day so that should help bed everything in, and hopefully should be spot on by the run next weekend! :D:D

thanks for everyone's help!

cheers

[Gr4H4m]

Hows the car going mate?

[charlie_mini]

not too bad, some reason it was only running on 2 cyls before (2&3 weren't firing) but that seems to have cleared. still loosing lots of oil but sure i can live with that till i can get the engine back out adn i think the clutch is slipping a bit, but again i think thats down to the oil that i'm loosing (all the clucth/flywheel housing!) soo it's going ok and know itss got the potential, but i'm just consentrating on getting to work in it for now!
but once i get something to get me to work so the mini can have a rest its all good!
cheers

[charlie_mini]

well i've compression tested all 4 bored, 1&4 are giving 10bar, 2&3 are giving around 9 so there is less comp there but not significantly a problem, no water in oil or oil/fuel in the water. have tried different leads and plugs on those bores and have tested the plugs outside the engine and they seem to be firing so i'm not too sure.
the engine is almost due for it's 500 mile bed in oil change so i've ordered a new head gasket and i'll do that at the same time (might aswell!) and see if that makes a difference but not too sure... still doesn't seem to be running quite right but i'll have to see how it goes after the weekend.....
cheers

[Steve]

10bar is about 140 lb/in if I remember rightly.
If all of the readings are within 10 to 15% of each other, everything is OK. Healthy Minis usually run around 150 PSI give or take -- meters or compression may vary a bit, the main thing you're looking for is consistency
I would say have a go at setting your timing again.

[charlie_mini]

have done, trying to narrow something out i've put the standard dizzy in and it seems to be running ok again for the time being, i'll know better when i get to work tomorrow (always seems to play up on the way to work!) and i'm still not 100% about the setting on the 123 if it was set right...?
cheers

[Steve]

You could bring it over at the weekend and I will have a look for you.
See how it runs tomorrow

[moddinmad]

the engine is almost due for it's 500 mile bed in oil change so i've ordered a new head gasket and i'll do that at the same time (might aswell!) and see if that makes a difference but not too sure...

your getting as bad as GR4H4M for pulling the head off it.......

theres no point in taking the head of it again if the compressings good.

take it down to a&b and let them guys set it up propperly..

for £60-£80 u spend youll save in petrol and time, deano gr4h4m and denty cant rate them any higher!

[Gr4H4m]

Those boys will get it bang on... give them a ring and explain and they will give you a rough price on the phone. You wont beleive the differance.

[charlie_mini]

cheers, i'm going to be getting the engine out over the weekend to seal the leaks.... its taking (or dropping everywere!) about 1L every 200miles / 3days at the mo and i'm fairly sure thats why the clutch is slipping!
i've ran it to work and back today and seems better so i must have had a very wrong advance set on the 123, just a case of setting the fueling now but think that will be easier once the clutch is actually gripping!

i'd like to have had it to A&B but there wont be time now before the RR to get the bits sorted and get it in there, but once this engine's been dyno'd i can go back to get it set up properly and then be able to measure the results.
also within the next month i may let charlie take a bit of a rest as she's not happy with the motorway everyday and i'm looking at a diesel daily drive so hopefully then i'll find some renewed enthusiasm to fixing the massive list of things that need doing to her!
cheers
:D

[Steve]

Engine out again. You just like playing with your engine lift.

[TONYELF]

Engine out again. You just like playing with your engine lift.

Either that or going for a world record:rolleyes:

:D :D :D

[charlie_mini]

might as well get my ££ worth out of it! :D

[David godfrey]

Hi Charlie mini

i noticed you are playing around with mini engines and that you live on the wirral i thought it may be usefull to tell you of a guy up in deside who is very good with the mini engines he is boring, dynamically balancing, tuftriding etc the parts for my 1380. you may already know of him but thought it may be usefull for the future if not he is caled Eric Hammond he is about 20-30 minutes from spital i say this because im sure I have seen your mini in spital driving past.

Anyway his number is 01244830900

Are you still having problems getting you car into reverse if so did you take the diff out the gearbox when changing the engine or even just replace the gearbox gaskets around the diff when the gearbox was out the car?

[bigtoe]

yeah got to say thumbs up for eric hammond he use to do most the machine work on my dads engines years ago when he was in ellesmere port by t&g auto parts he did a big valve head for me some years back now was made up with his work well recomended.

[David godfrey]

he is doing my cylinder head also :)

[Deano]

Eric hammond is pretty good Must admit i prefer Aw Engines in Buckley:)