Another rattling mini
Discussion
Hi Mini nuts. Glad to see we got rid of those new mini posers. 
My 1994 Cooper has also recently developed a rattling noise. Only when i initially put the power on and then when i lift off. Its weird one as it sounds as though the rattling is coming from inside the car by the pedals, but i've tightened everything i can find and still hasn't cured it.
What was that about Big End Knocking? It sounds expensive
Apart from the rattle the car is mint and has no other probs,
Any idea's would be much appreciated!
My 1994 Cooper has also recently developed a rattling noise. Only when i initially put the power on and then when i lift off. Its weird one as it sounds as though the rattling is coming from inside the car by the pedals, but i've tightened everything i can find and still hasn't cured it.
What was that about Big End Knocking? It sounds expensive
Apart from the rattle the car is mint and has no other probs,
Any idea's would be much appreciated!
So many things it could be that without driving it it's hard to suggest what it could be.
Anything from the heater box rattling (I've had this lots of times), to the transfer gears, to the big end bearings.
Maybe check the oil pressure to be confident it's not the bottom end and just to be safe. An oil pressure gauge really is a 'must' in any Mini.
I know most know this, but the main cause of premature big end failure in Minis is oil surge when going round sharp corners or when cornering at high 'g' forces. The oil moves to the end of the sump and the pick-up pipe then sucks air. Air insted of oil around your bearings ain't good! That's why we fit centre oil pick up pipes for competition. If you don't have one and want to drive quickly, best to keep your oil level just over max on the stick.
The other tip relative to bearing life is never to start your engine with the clutch pushed down. If you do this you are loading the crank thrust bearings whilst there is no oil around them and this leads to more rapid wear and then to crankshaft end-float. Always start up in neutral with your foot off the clutch pedal. Don't sit at traffic lights with the clutch depressed, especially if you have a heavy duty race or rally clutch diaphragm as this wears the thrusts quickly as well.
Peter
Anything from the heater box rattling (I've had this lots of times), to the transfer gears, to the big end bearings.
Maybe check the oil pressure to be confident it's not the bottom end and just to be safe. An oil pressure gauge really is a 'must' in any Mini.
I know most know this, but the main cause of premature big end failure in Minis is oil surge when going round sharp corners or when cornering at high 'g' forces. The oil moves to the end of the sump and the pick-up pipe then sucks air. Air insted of oil around your bearings ain't good! That's why we fit centre oil pick up pipes for competition. If you don't have one and want to drive quickly, best to keep your oil level just over max on the stick.
The other tip relative to bearing life is never to start your engine with the clutch pushed down. If you do this you are loading the crank thrust bearings whilst there is no oil around them and this leads to more rapid wear and then to crankshaft end-float. Always start up in neutral with your foot off the clutch pedal. Don't sit at traffic lights with the clutch depressed, especially if you have a heavy duty race or rally clutch diaphragm as this wears the thrusts quickly as well.
Peter
Is it a rattle or a knocking noise? If it seems to come from round the pedal box might be worth checking bottom part of the engine steady bar bracket hasn't snapped and come away from the bulk head, this can often cause a knocking noise from around the pedal box area on acceleration or braking.
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