10 replies to this topic

[jcabourne]

Hi,

 

This is my first time working on my mini and could do with some advice from those more experienced.

 

I started this project due to the engine mount on LH side failing which cause the engine to sink and the fan was ruined due to it catching the housing. 

 

Old Engine mount:

https://imageshack.com/i/pnkTjMqwj

 

Old Fan:

https://imageshack.com/i/pmzlOxIFj

 

After replacing the engine mount and Fan i though i was close to finishing the project, however i can't seem to see how the the housing and radiator goes back in correctly. I have read and watched multiple videos of people with different models of mini doing it in different orders. 

 

The first issue i come up against is that the radiator housing mount that attaches to the engine mount sits incredibly close to the fan and does provide enough space for the fan and looks like it would cause the new fan to be shredded like the old one.

 

New Fan and radiator housing mount too close:

https://imageshack.com/i/pnsPCHwKj

 

Now if i force and wiggle the housing into place the housing i can get the housing attached but the fan is heavily bending on the housing. With out forcing it the housing and mount will not align.

 

https://imageshack.com/i/pnD96q2rj

 

With this project i feel like i have consistently gone 3 steps forward then 2 steps back having to undo everything i have just done to redo it again. I feel like i am so close to completing this but i failing at the end unable to put back in the radiator. 

I tried to put the radiator back with the housing attached but was not able to squeeze both past the fan, then i forced the housing to be attached with the fan touching the housing and was not able to get the rear radiator bolts to line up to screw the radiator into the housing.

 

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated 

 

 

[Designer]

Hi

 

First of all I would replace both of the engine mounts assuming you have only replaced one, as you say I have replaced the engine mount.

Secondly have you fitted the fan belt pulley behind the fan where it attaches to the water pump and any spacer/spacers if they were fitted.

Out of interest where in Surrey are you?

 

Paddy

Edited by Designer, 13 September 2024 - 03:29 PM.

[mini-mad-mark]

The "bracket" that bolts to the gearbox (that the engine mount bolts onto) doesn't look right to me. It looks like an early one where the bracket to the rad shroud was different and I'm not sure if you can mix the two

 

Maybe some of the experts on earlier minis can comment here

 

 

I think you should have this bracket:

 

https://www.ebay.co....tm/186225213216

[MatthewsDad]

Agree something doesn't look right. Was it all in place and correct when you started or are you assembling from scratch.

[jcabourne]

Hi

First of all I would replace both of the engine mounts assuming you have only replaced one, as you say I have replaced the engine mount.
Secondly have you fitted the fan belt pulley behind the fan where it attaches to the water pump and any spacer/spacers if they were fitted.
Out of interest where in Surrey are you?

Paddy

I am based in Cobham.

Iro of the fan I have left the belt untouched and fitted both of the spacers that were previously fitted.

Do you have a good resource on how to replace the RH engine mount? I previously bought the part but wasn’t able to find a walk through so haven't touched it yet.

[jcabourne]

The "bracket" that bolts to the gearbox (that the engine mount bolts onto) doesn't look right to me. It looks like an early one where the bracket to the rad shroud was different and I'm not sure if you can mix the two

Maybe some of the experts on earlier minis can comment here


I think you should have this bracket:

https://www.ebay.co....tm/186225213216

I’m 99% sure that the part I’m using is correct. I have a 2001 automatic Japanese import mini, it’s only got 16k miles on it and I believe this is the first time the engine mount has been replaced and the parts I’m using match the ones coming off. I’m happy to be corrected as the old fan has been destroyed and I can’t see how an intact fan could ever fit.

[Designer]

HI

 

The only time I have replaced both engine mounts is with the engine out. 

I am sure someone on the forum will be able to advise on the best way to replace the RH one with engine in situ.

If you need an engine hoist let me know as I have one in the garage, I am in Walton-on- Thames.

 

Paddy

[jcabourne]

Agree something doesn't look right. Was it all in place and correct when you started or are you assembling from scratch.

When I started it was all in place but the old fan had been shredded against the housing. I initially thought that the engine mount had gone and that was the cause. After replacing the engine mount and fan I now think the engine is misaligned due to something else.

[KTS]

 

Agree something doesn't look right. Was it all in place and correct when you started or are you assembling from scratch.

When I started it was all in place but the old fan had been shredded against the housing. I initially thought that the engine mount had gone and that was the cause. After replacing the engine mount and fan I now think the engine is misaligned due to something else.

 

 

as mentioned above;  you've got the wrong (pre 1970) engine mount bracket, which is why you're having problems

 

https://www.minispar...ets.aspx?1~2~28

 

for your setup, you need the later bracket

 

https://www.minispar...ngs/12A361.aspx

[jcabourne]

Thanks everyone for your help. I think I have worked it out now. All the brackets are correct due to it being an automatic, the issue was the radiator mount was initially mounted on backwards and I was putting it back on how I found it. I noticed in this diagram that the bolt enters the captive nut of the radiator mount from the bulkhead side to grill side which wasn’t how I took it out.

https://imageshack.com/i/pmISX9mmp

[Designer]

     

Great it is all sorted.

 

Paddy