16 replies to this topic

[taffy1967]

As I mentioned in my post regarding charging my battery, my 90' Mainstream Cooper has been laid up (hibernating) since late 2004, but I now plan to get it running again, but I've heard rumour that it's a good idea to put some form of lubrication down the bores?

I have heard of people putting a tea spoon full of ordinary motor oil down them (after removing the spark plugs first of course) and leaving it over night and then putting another tea spoon of oil down them, re-fitting the spark plugs and firing up!

The trouble is I don't particularly want to put oil down them as it's not really supposed to be there and it'll blacken my plugs, so I'm sure I've heard of some people putting Redex stuff down them instead?

If that's correct, which Redex product would that be and is it really necessary anyway? Again any advice greatly appreciated.

[Dan]

Plugs do clean up again with continued use, unless there's a real problem. I'd stick with oil myself, all newly built engines will have oil all over the bores and it doesn't hurt them any.

[taffy1967]

So you wouldn't recommend the Redex products down the bores then?

[1984mini25]

I have heard of people putting a tea spoon full of ordinary motor oil down them (after removing the spark plugs first of course) and leaving it over night and then putting another tea spoon of oil down them, re-fitting the spark plugs and firing up!

The trouble is I don't particularly want to put oil down them as it's not really supposed to be there and it'll blacken my plugs,

I wouldn't worry about the oil making the plugs black, as if it was me I would be giving the car a FULL service as it's been standing for a while,

Air filter, oil and filter, plugs and points (if fitted) antifreeze, brake and clutch fluid, adjustment of handbrake, greasing all the suspension nipples, etc.
And generally give the car a good going over for any things that don’t look right.

[Dan]

Redex petrol treatment might be suitable I suppose but I'm not sure it would be tough enough to clear any rust that may have formed, it's designed for cleaning off a bit of running deposit really and while the engine's running not much can form on the bores as it's being scraped and oiled all the time. The deposits that can form when an engine stands for a long time would be a lot thicker and you need to make sure they are going to get broken down before they have a chance to hammer the piston rings. I'd stick with a bit of oil and turn it by hand a few times before firing it up.

[taffy1967]

Okay thanks and I'll just use the oil for now then.

[icklemini]

Use a oil can and squirt the bore wall.

is you just 'pour' it in it'll sit in the dish of the piston and wont do anything!

Then with the plugs still removed - crank the engine over untill oil pressure is obtained..
this'll serve two jobs:
(1) get oil around the bearings, and
(2) lubricate the bores (rather than burn it straight off when the engine fires) and will blow out any excess oil through the spark plug hole...

TTFN,
Dave

[taffy1967]

Okay mate, but how much are those oil can squirter things and where can I buy one from? For the record i've just used a teaspoon and poured a little oil down the holes already.

[pikey7]

you mean where can you get an oil can....?

[taffy1967]

So I need one of those little gizmo's then? Where can I get one, how much will it cost and how many squirts are needed to lube the bores properly?

[pikey7]

pretty much anywhere that sells tools. Under a fiver. A few!

I thought every garage in the world had one of those lying around somewhere!?

[taffy1967]

Well mine hasn't, but I think my father might have had one years ago, but it probably got chucked away when they had a major clear out of the garage.

Right i'll be off to get one of those tomorrow then!

[taffy1967]

Anyway I found a rusty old one in our garage, but I decided against using it as it was full of mucky red stuff.

So I called into my local hardware store and got a nice little oil can for less than 2 quid. Mind you it only has a long plastic end/nozzle, not flexible and metal like the one in the image posted here, but it seems to have done the trick anyway as the nozzle went right down into the bores and I was then able to pump in a little oil!

So thanks for the help and advice everyone!

[The Matt]

As Icklemini has said, crank it over without the plugs in to get some lube going. I've done it with other cars (though not minis) and it has worked well.

Just remember that if you get someone to crank it over for you, don't stand too close to the front of the car while it's spitting oil out of the plug holes or you may get an eyeful

[taffy1967]

Okay thanks and i'll bear that in mind. Maybe i'll put something over the lower part of my Mini to stop the oil making a mess too?