A Mini Disaster!!!
Discussion
Right then, having made a brief introduction to you guys with my Mini wheels dilemma, I now need some proper advice.
As you know, I'm trying to get my Mini on the road again after it being garaged for nearly two years... Now, I'm gonna blame my flip flops on this one so I don't look like a total twonk... My new exhaust arrived today and as I was trying to get the car up on the ramps, my foot slipped and I managed to engage first without depressing the clutch fully and there was a big 'CLONK'. Once up on the ramps, I heard a gushing noise and saw that the engine had dumped its entire contents of oil on the garage floor and it was flowing nicely out onto my drive. I looked under the bonnet and the fan belt had done a good job of spreading oil everywhere. I've spent all evening mopping up oil and due to the light failing, I'm unable to pinpoint the source of the leak. Maybe a brittle seal, maybe a hose off the oil rad, I'm really not sure? The car has been stood for a very long time. Have you guys got any ideas? I hope I've not done any serious damage... What should have been an easy exhaust change has turned into a pain in the
Haha
As you know, I'm trying to get my Mini on the road again after it being garaged for nearly two years... Now, I'm gonna blame my flip flops on this one so I don't look like a total twonk... My new exhaust arrived today and as I was trying to get the car up on the ramps, my foot slipped and I managed to engage first without depressing the clutch fully and there was a big 'CLONK'. Once up on the ramps, I heard a gushing noise and saw that the engine had dumped its entire contents of oil on the garage floor and it was flowing nicely out onto my drive. I looked under the bonnet and the fan belt had done a good job of spreading oil everywhere. I've spent all evening mopping up oil and due to the light failing, I'm unable to pinpoint the source of the leak. Maybe a brittle seal, maybe a hose off the oil rad, I'm really not sure? The car has been stood for a very long time. Have you guys got any ideas? I hope I've not done any serious damage... What should have been an easy exhaust change has turned into a pain in the
Haha
Neil8p said:
A leaking driveshaft/potjoint seal can let all the oil out too (guess how I know? 
) Can you clean it up and get some pictures to post up?
Ok, well as I "crunched" the gears into first, I'm thinking a transmission problem and the drive shaft could be a prime culprit since you have had a similar experience!? Ooops... ) Can you clean it up and get some pictures to post up?Is there a large bearing here as I have found two halves of a large metal ring broken on the garage floor which is pretty rotten. Not sure if this is a rusted broken housing off a bearing or part of the old exhaust I was trying to remove?
I've not been able to get any pics since there is oil everywhere thanks to the fan belt. I'll have a closer inspection tomorrow. I didn't get a chance today to have a proper look.
Ok, I've had some help to figure this one out.
Basically, the engine stabiliser bushes were worn, allowing excess movement of the engine. As my foot slipped off the clutch the engine rocked violently and the alternator hit the oil cooler causing it to crack. The oil then poured out everywhere and some of it hit the fan belt and hey presto there was lots of mess.
I'm in the market for new bushes and an oil cooler now...?
Basically, the engine stabiliser bushes were worn, allowing excess movement of the engine. As my foot slipped off the clutch the engine rocked violently and the alternator hit the oil cooler causing it to crack. The oil then poured out everywhere and some of it hit the fan belt and hey presto there was lots of mess.
I'm in the market for new bushes and an oil cooler now...?
Extra 300 Driver said:
Unless its tunes or you do a lot of track work, just bin the cooler. I rarely see my oil tem get off the stop. Bushed are easy to replace, cheap too.
Sounds like you have had a lucky escape!
Yep, I'm very lucky! I thought I'd done something terminal...Sounds like you have had a lucky escape!
I'll see if I can pick up a cheap cooler... Everyday is a track day in a mini!?
Ok, I'll ditch the cooler then.
It will save me some pennies and some weight!!!
I'll check the forums on how to do it.
On a seperate note, I went to the Gurnsey Hill Climb yesterday and there was a red mini with a Hayabusa engine in the back! My god it was quick!!! Something to aspire to perhaps!?
Cheers guys
It will save me some pennies and some weight!!!
I'll check the forums on how to do it.
On a seperate note, I went to the Gurnsey Hill Climb yesterday and there was a red mini with a Hayabusa engine in the back! My god it was quick!!! Something to aspire to perhaps!?
Cheers guys
With the use of a hacksaw I have managed to lose the oil cooler and done quite a good job of the bypass. The proof will be once I've put new oil in the car and see what leaks out once running... Hmm!?
Just managed to get the engine stabiliser bar off and have given it a clean up and a paint so I will fit that back together tomorrow with the new bushes.
Do I need that wire cable? Is it an earth? If I do need it, think I'll get a new one...
Just managed to get the engine stabiliser bar off and have given it a clean up and a paint so I will fit that back together tomorrow with the new bushes.
Do I need that wire cable? Is it an earth? If I do need it, think I'll get a new one...
GruFFnuTT said:
With the use of a hacksaw I have managed to lose the oil cooler and done quite a good job of the bypass. The proof will be once I've put new oil in the car and see what leaks out once running... Hmm!?
Just managed to get the engine stabiliser bar off and have given it a clean up and a paint so I will fit that back together tomorrow with the new bushes.
Do I need that wire cable? Is it an earth? If I do need it, think I'll get a new one...
Definitely need it and definitely replace it. Dodgy earths have caused all sorts of problems for me over the years and I think I've not got 2 or maybe even 3 different cables fitted. Just managed to get the engine stabiliser bar off and have given it a clean up and a paint so I will fit that back together tomorrow with the new bushes.
Do I need that wire cable? Is it an earth? If I do need it, think I'll get a new one...
GruFFnuTT said:
Pooh, I'd better put it back then. Wish I'd read this earlier, as I've just put everything back together again, minus that crappy bit of wire! Argh!!! Lol
If its a "crappy little bit" then it definitely needs replacing! Easy enough to do if you've put it all back, just two bolts.Gassing Station | Classic Minis | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff