10 replies to this topic

[Robert]

Ever let your heart rule your head? I think I probably did when I bought TJ - Since I've had her, I've only driven a few hundred miles. What I thought was a pretty sound car, with a bit of rust has turned into a complete nightmare.

She is a 1998 Cooper and I was pretty chuffed when I got hold of her. She was exactly what I was looking for - within budget, the right model, the right colour everything. I looked at a load of trash before I made my decision and I thought I had got it right. I knew she needed a new radius arm but I did that myself, even when that turned into new cones being needed, I did that myself. Then disaster struck - I did an oil change... A simple oil change...



That's not good, I think to myself and so I took it to my local Mini expert. Sometimes it is a good idea to know when to admit that you don't have the ability and the tools to do something.

That's not good he said - I'll take a look... This is what he found



Big end bearings shot to pieces.



Crankshaft - A blocked oil way seems to have caused the problem. Maybe because something broke and lodged in the oil way, maybe due to insufficient oil changes. Difficult to say.




Nothing too bad here - but by the time the crankshaft has been sorted out, the bearings replaced and so on, it will be cheaper to put in a reconditioned engine.

At least my differential is in good shape! I guess one has to be thankful for small mercies - but they are very small at the moment





The gearbox bearings and baulk rings are also shot - but that's small fry compared to the cost of the reconditioned engine and labour.

I'm really in a dilemma this evening. She isn't the most "rust free" Mini in the world - but I thought I would sort out the rust bit by bit. She has a hole in one of the wheelarches (which means TÜV (MOT) failure come next March) but I had budgeted for that when I bought her. A patch weld, and job's a good 'un.

My local expert says the external rust will be the tip of the iceberg - and just replacing/ patching the wheel arch won't be the only thing that needs doing and I hadn't budgeted for a bu99ered engine. I could get the whole lot back together as it is, and try and sell the car - but my conscience wouldn't let me do that. Therefore, as I see it I have three options.

1. Rebuild the engine and sell her to somebody who has the skills to restore the body for whatever I can get for her.
2. Take a wheelbarrow full of bits to the scrap yard, cut my losses, call myself a very silly boy and walk away.
3. Carry out a restoration I can't afford...

My heart says keep her - because I have really grown fond of her , my head says walk away . Not a good day

[me madjoe 90]

keep it up theres light at end of the tunnel. And at least you know it will be right when you done it.


If it was me id have run it till it died and then ended up forking out for another engine and box.

[toyboy396]

Follow your heart.. We're Mini owners, not many of us do what our head says.

If you still think its your perfect car you'l do it.

[AndyMiniMad.]

Well ok the bearings are shot. but the bits in the picture from your oil change are not bearing bits. Sorry for this news. but as you are rebuilding anyway i dont supose it maters now. I would strip the diff now that you have it out. Im with guess works on the bits diagnosis.

[Robert]

The jury is still out on whether she should stay or go - however I have had a chance to chat with a few friends.

The most striking comment - which hit me like a slap in the face - came from my six year old son. When I picked him up from Kindergarten this afternoon, I told him I might have to get rid of the Mini because of the work that needed doing. He sighed, just like like an exasperated adult, and said;

"Daddy, you've been going on about having a Mini for ages, now you've got one you're talking about getting rid of it - I just don't understand you!"

Food for thought...

[samsfern]

have you thought of getting a used engine from the scrappers or something? if the cars had a smack, then chances are the engine will be good, they should let you start it up as well.

EDIT: just realised your in germany....

Edited by samsernie, 17 June 2010 - 08:49 PM.

[dean81]

im with your son on this one. it will be fine when the work is done

[amarcd]

As above get yourself another engine to drop in her, have a look on flebay or ask aroung on here for 1 i'm sure someone will have somethin cheap and cheerful for you! Dont loose her!

[Guess-Works.com]

At least my differential is in good shape! I guess one has to be thankful for small mercies - but they are very small at the moment

Unless the differential has been stripped or your mini specialist knows what he's looking at, you can't tell if the differential is sound... MPi's notriously throw diff pins out of the back of the gearbox, I would wholy recommend the differential is split, dissassembled and rebuilt before you put it back in, especially as the bits you've found are suspciously like pieces of the bronze thrusts in the differential.

[Robert]

The decision has been made - TJ will live again.

She is currently undergoing a complete gearbox rebuild, and she'll get a new short block.

Expensive but at least I won't have to worry about the engine and gearbox for a while!

[Daveymo]

If she stays....

Buying another engine (re-conditioned or not) there is always a small element of the unknown. It may be perfect.. then again it may have some hidden suprises which will could sorting (more money being spent)
If you can afford to keep it and build it back up yourself (with some help ), you will know exactly what has gone into you car and what has been done and what will need doing.


If she goes...

That's only something really you can decide matey. No one else is in you shoes and after all the advice, it's down to you matey to decide.

Sorry if that doesnt help in the slightest