1985 Austin Metro 1275 Auto

[Sammo123]

Sticks. said:

Have you checked/replaced the pressure cap?

Yeh I replaced that when I first bought the car as the old one was knackered. I’ll have a proper look at it this weekend and find out what the problem is.

[Sammo123]

bongtom said:

Head or gasket issue or airlock?

Probably head gasket.

I’ve just popped over there with my truck and it started straight up and idled nicely. Thankfully the overheating doesn’t seem to have done the engine any harm!

I’ve moved the car over to my Nans where all my tools are and it’s a much safer road to leave it rather than outside my house!

[Sammo123]

May as well update this seeing as it’s been over a year!

The Metro is still sitting at my Nans house. It’s been promoted to the driveway and has been covered up and that’s about it.

I advertised it for sale a few months back but haven’t really had any interest, so I’m going to order a head gasket set for it and replace all that, take it to the local classic Mini garage and get the carb sorted and then chuck an MOT on it. Still no idea what I’ll do with it then as I still have no money a year and a half after losing my job but at least I’ll be able to take it to some shows with a for sale sign in the window.

[Sammo123]

I finally ordered a head gasket set for this the other day We have a baby due any day now so I’ve got exactly 0 spare time to do anything at the moment, but at least I’ve got the set there for when some spare time comes up!

I thought I’d try and start the Metro the other day seeing as it’s been sat on the driveway for quite a while. It was cranking quite happily and was just starting to catch when I noticed a puddle of oil running past my foot. The oil filter seal has given up again…

Anyway, as and when I have any spare time I’m going to whip the engine out, strip it down and get the block modified to be converted to manual. I’ve got a manual gearbox, pedal box and shift linkage for it. Just a few more odds and sods required for the complete conversion.

Funnily enough I walked out of work the other day and spotted this in the car park. It belongs to one of our warehouse guys and he’s using it as his daily now!

[Sammo123]

Turbobanana said:

That looks a bit "odd" with the later grille and bumpers, but very early steel wheels.

Greta to see it in use, though, and good luck with yours. My own car life changed radically after the arrival of my kids...

I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what didn’t look right on it. You’re totally right though. It’s the old style steel wheels!

[Sammo123]

Smallest head gasket set I’ve ever bought

[Sammo123]

I had a spare hour today so got the head off. Can’t see anywhere the gasket has failed which is a little concerning. Forgot to take a picture of the head off but the gasket looked fine. The bores were all full of coolant so it’s getting in there somewhere though.