483 replies to this topic

[racerlike]

couple of questions regarding some of the wiring.
with the modified R1 loom from promotive i have the grey fuel pump wire - does this go directly to the fuel pump (i have the MPi fuel tank with pump inside it and connections on top). I ask because its very thin gauge wire especially compared to the fuel pump wire in the mini loom, which im presuming is redundant?

secondly the two fan wires - they both come from one of the relays - do they both connect straight to the fan motor?

lastly feel free to point out any other errors on my wiring diagram. its basic (mainly so i could understand it!)but should mean its easy to highlight any mistakes. everything connected to the dash seems to be working fine. just the other side of things i want to make sure are spot on before i come to try and start the engine.
thanks

[racerlike]

another question:
what coolant to water ratio are people using in the radiator?

Edited by racerlike, 13 May 2012 - 08:08 AM.

[SukiDawg]

You can't go wrong with 50/50...

[racerlike]

been busy this week striking things off the 'to do' list.
first up the wiper motor wasn't working - brushes had all broken up inside so while it was apart i gave it all a quick spray up.



been trial fitting the dashboard which fits very snuggly and looks good. that will be assembled at the end of the week as im waiting for my Power Commander to arrive hopefully tomorrow.
finally able to fit the passenger seat. hadn't quite got the seat bracket spot on but a bit of remedial work with the drill sorted that out although its real close to the door. added some roll cage padding to the door bars - more to protect the paint the occupants but as the seats are so low its the only bit of cage you would come in contact with anyway.



few other bits still on this weeks list - need to raise the front ride height as its too low and see if it also solves my arch rubbing issue. also binned my idea for a side exit exhaust - again its too low and it will just cause hassle so i will be looking for something a bit more conventional.

[racerlike]

so today i was set to start up the engine but things got cut short.
fuel in, coolant in (a few leaks present but sorted out), oil topped up.

the first thing i wanted to do was build up some oil pressure so i disconnected the fuel pump and removed the plug coils.
began turning the engine over on the starter motor. did this for about 10sec all ok but up from the steering column rose a little plume of smoke. disconnect the battery straight away.
so i removed the steering column shroud with a view to trying again and observing where the smoke was coming from.
ignition turned on ok but as soon as i tried to crank it over it went dead. no life at all now from the ignition.
been over fuses and inspected the ignition barrel wiring - all looks ok

not quite sure where to go now - any suggestions as to what could have caused this?
im guessing somethings not wired correctly somewhere, could that have now killed my ignition switch?

[jb93]

I can't beleive I've missed this! Cracking work buddy, absolutely awesome car. I'm hoping to go down this route when funds allow

[racerlike]

Power Commander now fitted. loaded with a standard map for the time being


Made myself a boot board as those on offer tend to be made from mdf and i didnt want the excess weight. So i cut a simple one from thick polystyrene - weighs nearly nothing and still quite strong. Mine's in two parts - one side for battery access the other for the spare wheel


Spent the day laying on my back underneath the mini - first to add some additional rust protection to the exhaust tunnel and secondly to fit the heat shield. Even up on axle stands there's little space for movement so it was a bit of an effort. Should have been one of the first things i did with the bodyshell not the last.

[racerlike]

The wiring all seems intact. Power getting through to the clocks which is a good sign. Not yet plucked up the courage to try turning it over again so been busying myself with a few other little bits and pieces that needed doing.
Tidied the light harness on the front end, much neater now. Ran some edge protector tape where the front end fits to the wing tops and a panel as paint on paint will only rub off in time.

Cleaned up the master cylinder with a bit of cream cleaner and bleach as it was letting the rest of the engine down.


Started checking out where and how the exhaust is going to fit and realised with the absence of the mini exhaust manifold bracket i was going to need some extra support. So using two redundant holes just behind the gear shift i came up with a little bracket to take some strain off the exhaust when its fitted. A few not very accurate measurements and it fitted perfect first time.


Lastly i have a fire extinguisher in the passenger footwell. Only a small capacity one so more for peace of mind than any proper fire fighting

[racerlike]

Starter motor cranks over nicely. No smoking wires now I've fitted an engine earth strap. Oil being pumped around the engine so I know that's working. Connected the fuel pump and checked fuel was getting to rail.
The engine turns over happily enough but there doesn't actually fire. Now it's been a long time I guess since this engine ran so I persevered for a while but still no joy.
However, I have noticed that the little red light against the key symbol on my dash does not illuminate and I'm pretty sure it comes on when I start my R6. Also the engine warning light comes on as I crank the R1 over so something isn't right.
Wondering of the engine is partially immobilised in some way although if that was the case surely I wouldn't be able to crank it in the first place hmmm...

[samuraijt]

that is amazing!!! I cant wait to do this...

[racerlike]

another week of to work to on the Mini. Nice long list of things to do.
finally sourced the correct R1 clocks for the 5pw engine. think i prefer the white face of the R6 version but i want to see the need work the whole way around not just half the distance as it would appear on the R6 clocks.
However, the R1 version illuminates white and looks real smart.

[racerlike]

Found out that one gallon of fuel is not enough for the mpi fuel pump to suck up. Another jerry cans worth and I have fuel pumping to the rail.
The spring inside the neutral switch has worn hence no light on the dash. Bypassed that for now using a screwdriver.
Still doesn't want to fire though, no fault codes on dash and all lights come on and go off with ignition on. But as I crank it the engine warning light is on so further investigation needed I think

[Aceslow]

Whats your email Racerlike? I have some documentation that may help you with your troubleshooting..

[racerlike]

Sent you a PM
Cheers

[Aceslow]

Sent you the email today. It should be helpful.