Got a monkey to help me last night to bleed the clutch but still the same result. I even put a 1/8" washer on the arm to give me some extra travel. I also left the clutch pushed down all night as per Mini mainia's instructions with the arm not creeping back so the seals must be good?. Then this morning the engine is back to the original 2 cylinders and not starting! aaaarrrrgggghhh The fuel level is low so I figure the tank has something nasty in there. Another thing is even the arm did not move overnight there was some brake fluid behind the slave cylinder boot. So after 130,000miles it's worth changing it. I'm going to post in the Gen 1 section for more ideas.
The last week was pretty crazy due to I wanted the Mini tested before I left on Sunday. Just getting all those last minute things done seemed the most difficult. The clutch bleeding was a little bleeder! I just couldn’t get the clutch to work. After Jason left a prayer things looked up as the BMW dealer had one slave cylinder in stock for about $15 more than EMineparts which was acceptable seeing as I go the part the same day. With no monkey to help me I figured how to self bleed the clutch. I made a slave cylinder compressor, then hooked up a pipe to a jar of brake fluid. All I did was open the bleed screw, pushed the pedal down which stayed down, then back to close the bleed screw , pull the pedal up and repeat. I got lots of exercise! The clutch then worked perfect. I cleaned up the plugs results in 4 cylinders back in action. I had the appointment for 11:45am so I got up at 5:30am, finishing of all the stuff like adding a hand fire extinguisher , warning triangles and first aid kit. In Costa Rica the noise level is 96db so the muffler shops do good business swapping noisy systems for quiet exhaust systems then swapping them back after the test. I had an insert for the Swift so modified this for the Mini but on firing up the engine it was still too loud. It was 11:30 so no chance to change it. The Mini engine has always been temperamental since the rebuild so today it was not playing. I started the engine drove about 30’ then it died and wouldn’t start. I pulled the plugs which seemed dry. So I was frustrated as to what was wrong. Now it was 11:45 and one dead engine….aaaaaaarrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhh Never give up! So I turned the key and to my surprise the engine fired up …hoooooooray. Now I was off to the test station which was a 10 minute blast up a sweet twisty road that I know very well. The engine sound was gorgeous as was the exhaust note. Even though I could not rev past 3000rpm due to the exhaust insert the engine was very responsive and the Midland box shifted very well with short distances between each gear due to the 5:1 final drive…The handling was superb even though I set up the alignment by eye sight. I got to the test station with a huge grin on my face which soon changed when the lady behind the counter said I was missing a document! So no test…..aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhhh Never give up! I returned home happy but sad about no test…..I think Jason sent another prayer because for some strange reason the missing document was on the floor in the house! Guess what ? off back to the test station! This time the speedo worked , The SES light went out and the engine sounded even better! The test took a agonizing 45minutes as they tested all the components all was well until the noise test. The dear girl had too much growl so failed the test at 99db. Not a worry as I can modify the insert adding some extra fiberglass packing on my return on July 14th. So there have it after 9 months and about 260+ hours the Mini was back and better for it. Sure I made mistakes, wanted to give up and cut my loses/veins but I carried on and with the help and encouragement of members of the Mini community. A big thanks to Beaner, Modfather , Crashton and the rest who stuck by me. Now the fun times begin. Get the test, get the license plates and then go test driving and hunting for sponsors before the September rally. Based on the small crowd of admirers in the test station I know this car is going to be a big hit in Costa Rica…saying that since starting rallying in 1989 this is the most sexy rally car I’ve built….stay tuned amigo’s.
Me too! Just a need a sponsor to get me there! Mmmmmmmmmm now the Mini is running I've nothing else to ask or say until I return in 2 weeks...apart from Happy 4th everyone....the day you folks broke free from folks like me! hahaha Stay safe and have a good long relaxing weekend.
Just Ricky Bobby it, slap a picture of yourself to the hood, and go solo! Just get it in the dirt, and have fun!
Doh... (Facepalm to myself) I havent seen that movie in years, might need to fire up the old boobtube.
that's sponsorship! most sponsors want to provide product only with no $$$. pics for cash sounds good! hotties get in free (like usual).
Just caught up to this post, read every post all the way through. Really cool to see, we plan on eventually turning our R53 into a track/ auto cross racer. It was nice to see the process it took to get u there. Can't wait to see it racing !
Thanks Jbat. The main idea here was to show Mini folks that an average joe(chris) with a lot of passion can build a low cost race car. The proof of the build will of course be the results. MINI Motorsport are plugging the car so I can gain some support. Now the car is done I'm devoting my spare time looking for support. Good luck with your build.
They exist depending on your view of what is low cost! hahaha This rally car is my most expensive so far but still cheap for the type of car it is. I have the noise test tonight, I stuffed a ton of fiber glass pipe padding up the exhaust! Sounds like a Prius now and popped SES light on. haha I just need to drive 2 miles at low revs for the test so it should be ok.
Good luck with testing today. probably too late.... I spent another $1300 today on radios and the last of the fast fueling bits. didn't even see the car.....
Spend, spend ,spend .Passed the test. Limit is 96db sneaked in at 95.6db Hoooray. Now I have to get the taxes paid.