69 replies to this topic

[Dom]

Well, lets start from the beginning. I was driving to uni as I do each day cruising at 70 in fourth. While I came into Canterbury I changed down into third gear into the 30 mph zone. I changed down to second to take the right turn at the roundabout and then back into third, all seemed fine. As I was driving down the university road there are a set of traffic lights, before I approached them my gearbox made a weird clunk noise. I carried on driving, pulled into the uni car park and saw black smoke coming out the back. I then tried changing down but couldn't it was jammed in third gear. I tried again, and got it into neutral. There was no where to park so I just pulled in on some double yellows and stuck the hazards on. I tried again putting it into gear but it wouldn't engage any. I then got out and noticed it was pouring out oil and there was a large hole in my sump. I got recovered and taken back to a garage near where I live, where my car is now parked. The recovery chap took good care driving back and loading it onto the truck as he used to be a grass track racer and knows minis. I spoke to the garage and they said that it will be an expensive job. Firstly to identify the problem they need to take out the engine to get to the gearbox and then once they know what it is they can fix it. Problem being is that I am a student, I don't have a job and don't have lots of money. Fair enough I got a new subframe fitted earlier this year and that cost near five hundred pounds and that was me broke. But the recovery man and the garage owner explained that it is going to be very expensive to fix so I don't know if I will be able to afford fixing it.

So it is looking likely that I will be asking someone to stake off the bits I want and get it scrapped. I can't afford to pay to get it fixed.

Is there anyone that can help me out? It is likely it needs a new gearbox and a new sump.

Either I can find someone to fix it cheapish or strip it down and sell it.

:'(

Problem being I need a car for commuting everyday so I will be looking to get a car or another mini... haven't decided whether to stick with the fun and love of my life minis or to go down the route and get a car thats cheaper to insure and more reliable.

Edited by Dom, 07 November 2006 - 08:26 AM.

[Clubby1275GT]

sorry to hear that mate, real shame. Maybe you should debate just placing the engine, much cheaper than fixing a broken one, have a look on here in the for sale section, dont give up hope just yet!

Edited by Clubby1275GT, 09 October 2006 - 12:31 PM.

[tino]

:'( Guessworks is fairly cheap for gearbox's isn't he?

Don't scrap her you will regret it if you can't afford it now find somewhere where you can store it until you can afford to fix her.

edit: TJenkos was selling a gearbox on here I think or there is a Complete engine an Gearbox for £50 of lew I think. That might be a cheaper option.

Edited by tino, 09 October 2006 - 12:33 PM.

[miniboo]

guessworks recon box for 50 quid.

get someone you know off here to help you fit it and you can do the tea and biccys and beer tokens!!

[Purple Tom]

Sounds to me like the diff has gone, that usually results in a hole in the sump and horrible noises.

The engine out job itself isn't too bad to be honest with you, I did it on my Cooper 3 times in a month its pretty easy, and putting a new gearbox on is also pretty straightforward with the right tools and know-how, its a competent DIY job easily.

The thing that worries me though is that you drove it (if only for a short time) with bits of gearbox floating around in the oil, which could well have made its way into the engine components and damaged parts, resulting in an engine rebuild and gearbox re-con.

Sorry to hear of the damage Dom, my advice would be not to scrap it (its too good for that!), and put a wanted ad for a 1275 engine/box complete, you should be able to pick one up for around £150-200. Then ask around your local club to see if there's anyone willing to do the engine change for you, its about a 6 hour job if things go to plan and nothing is corroded or siezed on your car. There's bound to be people willing to help.

Tom

[Jammy]

Aye, you probably won't get a Cooper engine, but just get another engine (maybe a 998, cheaper to insure and people pretty much give them away!) and just bunk that in.

I'll talk to a couple of people and see what I can do in terms of swapping engines over if you want to go down this route.

[minipip]

just dont give up hope dom! its a mini theres always a cheep route out!

[bert998]

Depends on your abilities and facilities but I say fix that beaut back up

doesnt have to cost a lot, you could stick a 998 in it for now (im guessing its a cooper lump thats died), thats only a day or twos work for anyone

good luck dom, dont scrap it, it looks far too good for that

[Guess-Works.com]

too good to let it go... this is where the forum should now pull together, find someone down your neck of the woods who can pull the engine for cup's of tea or beer money...

I'll quite gladly donate you a gearbox for a small fee , or there's one in the forsale section.

the drop it back in and off you go...

[minipip]

for sale section

dunno if that is gonna help in any way?

[The Matt]

I've got a gearbox you could have, but it's got a stupid 2.95:1 diff in in it, so it'd be a cruiser (it's out of a 998 City E)!

I have some spare engine bits and bobs, but nothing 'complete'.

You could have the box dirt cheap, but it'll cost a fortune to get it to you I'm afraid.

[bert998]

I also have a box in damn good nick, but its quite a distance away

[Jammy]

I don't mind travelling a bit to pick up the box for Dom, if someone would be willing to meet me half way?

[tino]

Im happy to Drive from anywhere from the Southwest to Dom your in the Southeast aint you? Kent way...ive not got a gearbox tho but il collect it if someone in the Southwest has one. you get what I mean

Edited by tino, 09 October 2006 - 12:55 PM.

[minipip]

Im happy to Drive from anywhere from the Southwest to Dom your in the Southeast aint you? Kent way...ive not got a gearbox tho but il collect it if someone in the Southwest has one. you get what I mean

you'll play mr postman!