12 replies to this topic

[Purple Tom]

Hi everyone,

went out for a drive tonight, noticed the car had a bit of a misfire at low revs, and that it seemed to be burning excessive amounts of oil, particularly at tickover. the smoke was blue and very wispy. Managed to limp the car home about 3 miles, and noticed that as i pulled onto the drive and let it sit for a minute the temperature gauge went sky high and the smoke turned white. This indicates an initial blow from an oilway into a cylinder, then a secondary blow from a waterway into a cylinder (i think) Would this seem about right? It didn't seem majorly down on power, although the misfire was always there at lower revs.

If so i'll get it changed tommorrow and make sure the head isn't warped, if it is i'll drop a 998 unleaded head onto it for the time being!

Thanks

tom

[Tucker SP]

Sound like a head gasket to me, whats the water and oil like? has it change colour?

Cheers
Tucker

[mini_claire]

my head gasket went about three weeks ago i had none of the usual syptoms no oil in my water no problems at all it just started juddering and then stopped then i had no power what so ever had to get recovery home. all fixed now tho, sometimes they can be a bit funny like that i was told

[Purple Tom]

Was the head gasket alright, blown between 2 and 3, then also a blow into a waterway too. I stripped it and skimmed the head, prepared the block and rebuilt it yesterday, she's running sweet as a nut now, just need to get the mixture sorted out and I think it will be much better. Just got to figure out why it blew in the first place now!!

[tom]

Ahh, I wouldn't worry, they sometymes 'just go'. It is an old engine, anyway.

[Purple Tom]

Ahh, I wouldn't worry, they sometymes 'just go'. It is an old engine, anyway.

'tis true - its running better now than it ever has before, the tickover isn't lumpy and it sits there all day without getting hot too, which is nice. I noticed a slight high spot on the head between 2 and 3 which i think is a partial cause, and i think the other cause might have been that i didn't torque the head bolts down after 250 miles, i only did it the day after i rebuilt it. I'll make sure I do it properly this time.

I just need to have it on a Co2 meter to get the mixture right then it should be good!!

One thing i love about minis - head gasket blows tuesday night, i drive it home on 2 cylinders, then go to Partco get a gasket set for £4.80, and rebuild it the next day, up and running again wednesday evening! Try that with your Focus's and Bini's! 3 weeks and £500 labour please!!!



Tom

[Tucker SP]

Most cars you have to get new head bolts, they can set you back £20 - £50 :saywhat:

Is this not the case with minis then? never done a head gasket on but plent on Vauxhalls and fords .

Cheers
Tucker

[tom]

Evidently not.

[vasi]

Most newer cars have aluminium heads, and use stretch bolts which need to be replaced every rebuild. This is not the case with the good old cast iron A series

[Purple Tom]

The biggest problem i have with doing the head on the mini is the bloody exhaust, i have to drop the whole system off and split it at the bottom of the manifold, which is a reet pain. Apart from that its all pretty easy, oh, and the head steady is a bit of a nightmare too!!

[philster]

The biggest problem i have with doing the head on the mini is the bloody exhaust, i have to drop the whole system off and split it at the bottom of the manifold, which is a reet pain. Apart from that its all pretty easy, oh, and the head steady is a bit of a nightmare too!!

i'm assuming u have a multi branch manifold then as i've had the same problem. I actually find it quicker and easier to just take the studs that hold the manifold out of the head and then put them back in after re-fitting that way you don't disturb the manifold.

[Purple Tom]

thats a very good idea, i never thought of that!!!!

[bluebottle]

i just use a screwdiver and a hammer handle, and just lever the manifold out of the way while i'm removing/refitting the head.