20 replies to this topic

[scaffers]

Well, after nearly 20yrs of not having a mini, I now have one.

A 1999 Mini Cooper MPI in flame red
53k on the clock
12 month mot
4 months tax

Originally purchased for my daughter for when she leans to drive this summer.

Purchased on Monday, we drove it home (wife did) i lead the way.

About 200 yards from home it breaks down, so it was towed the last part of the way.

The problem has been narrowed down to fuel / electrics, if I hard wire the fuel pump it runs, if I don't it won't. I'll need help here please people, checked the fuses, earth etc........still scratching my head.

Today was the first full day I had to look at it.

The doors are not pretty, but salvageable if I re-skin them, the A panels will be replaced the front wings look ok, a bit of rust but not too much.

The worst part is around the windscreen, I did see this when I looked at the car, it's most prob a bodged repair, this is the repair I'm dreading the most, not having a garage to store it in while its stripped down, cut out and welded up.

Here are some pics of Big Vern


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On top of this, I realise that my tool collection has either been borrowed out and not returned or is in need of restoration it's self.

I'm more than happy and capable to do the work, inc the welding, I used to restore cars in my spare time in the 80's and 90's in all weathers.

But boy, can I feel the cold out there today.



The plan is to get it rust free, started.......... Eventually, dry, painted or vinyl wrapped and me to ang up my spanners for a bit.


Scaff.

[rally515]

Great little cooper project here mate,just out of intrest are you saying that the fuel pump isnt working ? which is no dout the corrrect place to start for getting here back up & running. What the previous history on this how long hasnt it been run & the critical part is there any fuel in ? might sound a obvious thing but easily forgoten.

Good luck with the project,shall be watching your progress .

Cliff

[scaffers]

Hi cliff

No, there's fuel in it, I wired the fuel pump to the battery and it starts and runs, so the prob is in the power to the fuel pump.

That's where I need help



Scaff

[rally515]

Cant be to hard of a problem to solve,check/replace wires ect.. never delt with the injection minis so can only give you a rough guess on whats what.
Does your mpi run a su ? or is the mpi/spi's have somthing else ?

[Wise Old Elf]

Sounds like fuel pump relay problem. If you are hard wiring the pump you are by-passing the relay.

[scaffers]

just ordered this





i hope he likes it




scaff

[Teapot]

Nic e one. Bodywork looks a bit like Mr's T's '97 mpi when she first got it. Bit of new metal and a spray and it's lasted her two years just fine.

[scaffers]

This may take a bit longer as I'm told my operation is going ahead next week. Dam what a time for a penis reduction......

Seriously
I smashed my elbow over a year ago and need a final operation to sort the damaged tendons and bone fragments.

It basically means I can't grip, hold and pull push, punch anything for 3-6months.

So, lets see how it goes but I may need to sell Big Vern before my plans come to fruition


Scaff

[Teapot]

Sorry to hear about the forced change of plan. Hope the op goes well.

[Bean]

Hope the op goes well, and hope it doesn't come to that!

[scaffers]

im sure it wont, its just im a complete ******* for not doin what im told...................

i said that to the surgeon and he said " im gonna put you in a cast then" and that will be for upto 3 weeks

im that desperate to start the restoration on Big Vern that ive bought panels and stuff and plan to fit it this weekend, my operation is on next weds, and i have a plan to get him almost water tight so it wont be like a hot tub in a few months time.


even if i did move Big Vern on, id be getting another asap ............ it is my daughters after all, ....................not mine,.................honest



scaff

[scaffers]

hello all,

 

after serving my converlessence period for some reconstructive surgery to my elbow im back in the throws of it.

 

started with a strip down, seats out etc, dash out {of sorts} i can see the scuttle is shot on the inside at the top rail and rain has poured through making it very wet.

 

ive decided to leave the wings on, as they are very good and replace the rusty a-panels and scuttle around them.

 

so far the list is

 

both doors {purchased 4 .......just in case}

both A-panels

full scuttle

some damage to the floor where some numpty jacked it up

various scabs in places

 

the floor and boot are sound

roof has a few dents, but i have a hammer

 

went to town on it the weekend and replaced the A-Panels, patched up the flitches, and a small hole at the sill, silkaflex'd the a-panels to the flitches and welded it up, when i refitted the drivers door the panel gap looked awful, untill i tightend up the bolts and then it looked great.

 

pics to follow

 

all went along nicely, enjoying the bank holiday sunshine. probably the only drawback was having to use a huge 9inch 110v angle grinder with a mind of its own as i cant find the small one.......... but screwfix will be selling me one later today......hurar

 

 

 

onwards and rust free

 

 

scaff

[scaffers]

after having a break due to an operation, and the news i will need another operation asap.

 

ive decided to crack on with the repairs.

 

i would have sold the car, spares, compressor, welder, tools and all if someone was interested, but its not meant to be, so everytime i look out of the window i can see Big Vern laughing so much a little bit of oil drops out.

 

 

this weekend i will be replacing the doors with 2 temp ones,

 

cutting out the scuttle and replacing that.

 

removing and fitting an A panel.

 

all with good intentions, i can assure you, but........if anyone needs me in the pub just shout.

 

pics, screaming, blood and cries of never again to follow.

 

 

 

scaff

[scaffers]

Well. A start was made ..........

It was always my intention to replace the scuttle and keep the wings in place.

I know that made it harder, but hey........I own a mini...........things are never easy.

We took the windscreen out and found the scuttle was just rust.

I set about with a grinder and cut the scuttle out

The blanked off area was good,

The dash rail wasn't too good.

So the rot was set free

Various little patches wre made, re made thrown away and reused.

The new scuttle was fixed in place (temp) and then I cut thru the 2 panels with a grinder removed the surplus and welded in the scuttle.

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[domdee]

plenty of rust to get your teeth stuk into here mate