Ask a technical question archive
Tuesday 15th August 2006
Here's a selection of Mini technical hints to help you out if you're after a quick answer. View the Mini technical archive for even more...
To get your question answered by Tim in the magazine soon, simply e-mail your problems to miniworld@ipcmedia.com
Answers will be printed in the mag.
Tuesday 2nd September 2008
New carb
Question: Could you advise me which carburettor would fit my 1993 1275cc Rover Mini Italian job? I believe an HIF38 would do, but would a HIF44 also fit?
Answer: Your original fitment carb will be an SU HS4. A straightforward replacement is the
simplest option. You could fi t an HIF38 but this would not be of any advantage; an HIF44 would provide a power increase but should ideally be fitted together with the larger (Cooper/MG Metro)-valved cylinder head and a suitable exhaust system.
Looking good! HIFs are the more dependable of the SU carbs for Mini
Tuesday 2nd September 2008
Non-starter
Question: I am currently rebuilding my wife's Mini. Before it was parked up it ran okay. I have fitted a new battery but it will not start. The ignition light lights up but goes out when the starter is operated. I have cleaned the earth lead in the boot but this has not helped. The engine will tun over by hand. Do you have any suggestions?
Answer: This is a fairly common problem. Make sure the battery is fully charged and holding the charge. Disconnect the battery and clean up all of the battery terminals thoroughly and then do the same at the solenoid. Remove the two screws holding the solenoid to the inner wing, clean the rust off the inner wing around the mounting point and do the same with the solenoid. Refit the solenoid sing new screws. Reconnect the battery and the problem should be resolved. If not, check the starter connections and engine earth straps.
Tuesday 2nd September 2008
Which engine?
Question: I am restoring a 1964 Mini and do not know what engine is fitted to my car. I do not think it is a Mini engine because it has a mechanical fuel pump. The engine number is 99h962p168881. I would be very grateful if you can tell me the engine size and ear of manufacture.
Answer: Your 1964 Mini would originally have had an 848cc engine with an electric fuel pump mounted on the rear subframe. Our records do not identify your particular engine number exactly, however it is a 998cc engine. which I believe would have come from a late 1970s or more likely a 1980s Mini 1000.
Tuesday 2nd September 2008
Poor running
Question: I have a 1998, 998cc Mini City that has no acceleration power. When I try to accelerate, there is sometimes the occasional loud pop or bang coming from the carburettor. I have been the problem could be a bent valve. Could you please tell me if there is any way of checking for this problem and if so how could I find which valve it is?
Answer: This is more likely to be an engine setup problem with mixture, timing or both. Check the inlet manifold, carburettor and vacuum advance for any air leaks. Ideally the engine should be setup on a rolling road.
Friday 9th May 2008
Indicator problems
Question: I have a 1983 Mini Mayfair. When I move the indicator stalk up or down, the indicators light up but don't flash. I have replaced the flasher unit under the dash, but the problem still persists. The hazards flash fine, but they use a seperate flasher unit. Someone suggested puting in an electronic flasher unit, which has a seperate earth connector, but I can't seem to find anything suitable for sale. Please advise!
Answer: Check all the wiring, in particular the earths, as a bad earth often causes the problem you describe. I don't think it's a good idea to fit a seperate flasher unit because I don't think that will solve the problem. I suggest that you take your car to your local garage and let them check it out. I don't think this is anything major and it shouldn't cost a fortune to correct, but I do think it needs professional attention.
Friday 9th May 2008
No steering
Question: I have just bought my first Mini, a 1979 Mini 1000. I've only had it a week, but already I'm having problems with it. I was looking for a space in a car park when I made a turn, heard something break and suddenly there was no steering. The steering wheel turns inside the car but the wheels don't respond. Before this happened, I noticed that there was a loud clicking coming from the front of the wheel when I turned a corner.
Answer: First of all, check that the pinch bolt at the base of the steering column has not broken or come out and that the steering column has not become disconnected from the pinion on the rack. This can be done from inside the car. If all appears okay from the inside, it is likely that there is an internal problem with the rack. Whatever the cause, you will probably need a new rack to solve the problem.
Friday 9th May 2008
Twin carbs
Question: I recently fitted a set of 1.5-inch SU twins to my 1275GT Clubman with a Maniflow LCB. But then when I went to start the car, I couldn't keep the revs down and noticed that the accelerator wasn't returning properly, which obviously wouldn't help. Is there an easy way to set the accelerator cable? I have managed to get some new return springs and although they are not the correct ones, they should do the job and make the throttle return quickly. Do you think these carbs will increase the engine performance by much?
Answer: The first thing to check is the routing of your throttle cable and that it is correctly linked to the carburettors. Make sure that you use the correct return springs and that they are correctly positioned. These are available from Burlen in Salisbury.
If the problem persists, look at the cable itself. Early cables had a tendency to stick, but the problem was cured by replacing the cable, as lubricating did not seem to work.
I think it's worth fitting these carbs and they should make for a very nice, responsive engine if they are properly set up, but I have to say that they will not bring about a massive increase in power.
Friday 9th May 2008
Twin tanks
Question: I would like to fit twin fuel tanks to my 1380cc Mini to increase its range. The only problem is that I haven't a clue where to start. Can you help?
Answer: Fitting twin tanks is actually very easy. The only hard part is cutting the hole on the driver's side for the additional filler pipe. The main difficulty here is that the left and right side of a Mini are not symmetrical and measuring accurately is made difficult because of this. The best way around the problem is to mark out the hole and cut the hole slightly smaller than needed, then fit the tank and line up and adjust the position of the hole by filing it out. The rest of the installation is a case of fitting the tank strap, etc, and plumbing into the original pipework. You will need to drain the original tank first.
Friday 9th May 2008
Question: I have just bought a 1974 Mini Pick-up. How do I find out if it has been adapted to run on unleaded petrol?
Answer: Converting a Mini to run on unleaded requires the cylinder head to be removed and fitted with hardened exhaust valve seat inserts to prevent damage caused by the higher running temperature when running on unleaded, while also countering the lack of protection that was provided by the lead content of the fuel. The only way to determine whether the engine has been modified is to remove the head and inspect it to see if inserts have been fitted. If you do not want to do this straight away use a lead replacement additive in the petrol until such time as you wish to overhaul the head.
