Started early in the Mini garage today before it gets toasty in there when the temp peaks in the mid-90s. It's still cooler than the two 100+ record breaker days Denver had last week. It has been unusually humid this summer for Denver; swamp coolers (evaporative coolers) don't work well when it gets humid. I don't mind heat but really dislike humidity; there's a reason I left Pennsylvania 40 years ago! The current garage project is prepping a race Mini for the 60th Anniversary Mini challenge race in Portland at the beginning of September. This one hasn't been raced in 20 years so it needs a new fuel cell and roll bar upgrades to meet current rules, total go-through of brakes and suspension, build a new race motor, and repair body damage from the last time I raced it. At least I have a transmission ready to go. Well, I think it's ready to go. I'll post some pictures if I can figure out how to.
Debating changing my head gasket. Pulled spark plugs, and cylinder one piston is wet, don't smell like gas either.Spark plug is wet and doesnt smell like gas either. When I first start it in morning throws cylinder 1 misfire. Sputters at first for a while then smooths out. What looks like water comes out the exhaust for a few seconds too. Hoping I'm correct. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Water coming out the exhaust is normal.....unless it smells like antifreeze! cold start misfire is a pretty good indicator tho….
With my two Miatas, pretty much every Miata owner waved at each other. It is rare that another MINI owner waves back at me. But hey, I can be friendly, even if other MINI owners don't want to acknowledge me. CD
I went to see them at the Cotton Bowl in about 1982. The last hour, they played in off-and-on rain. I thought that was a pretty stand up thing to do. CD
Got home from California tonight. The MINI is really dirty, now. Even in covered parking, the North Texas dust settles on cars. Time for a good wash. Poor car deserves it. I didn't tell my MINI about the other British cars I spent Tuesday photographing. I didn't want to hurt it's feelings and have it trash a clutch on my drive home. This was the nicest one. Shhhhh! Don't tell my MINI. CD
[ Installed new side markers and the radio in Ron Swanson. Is it normal for an aftermarket stereo to not ‘lock’ into the rack? This one can slide out if you pull on it.
That’s one damn nice Mini you got there! I hade trouble getting mine to lock in also. I had trouble with the wires behind the radio giving me room to push in in all the way.
It doesnt smell like anything. I did change the fuel filter, I may open that up again this weekend and see if I didn't do something right. Getting a fuel pressure guage in the mail today and will mount it and see if the fuel pressure is where it should be too. Maybe losing pressure when it sits too long? Other than that it runs pretty hood still at 241,000 miles Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
On my way home from the office last night, I waved at a red MINI going the other way. The driver flashed her headlights and waved at me Turns out it was my daughter on her way to visit a friend.
Installed the fuel pressure guage on the left. Pressure is steady. I think that kind of ruled out fuel stuff, maybe? Feeling more like I may trouble shoot the whole moisture/possible leak into cylinder number 1. I am dreading the thought of tearing everything apart and replacing the head gasket. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
241K on the clock? Thats great! Is coolant disappearing with no leaks? If not then that may not be the problem. I am guessing you have changed the plugs and the wires and coil are in good shape. you could get one of these it will tell you if combustion leak into the radiator system. If you are getting water in a cylinder then you would have a combustion leak. https://www.amazon.com/Block-Tester-BT-500-Combustion-Leak/dp/B06VVBSFTF/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?hvadid=77996658986068&hvbmt=bb&hvdev=c&hvqmt=b&keywords=head+gasket+tester&qid=1564086734&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1 Also you could ether buy or rent a scope and take a look in that cylinder
Wouldn’t a leak down test be a fairly quick and easy way to see if’n you have a head gasket problem ??
Yeah, quite a few miles. I have added coolant in the past. Looks like may have slowly leaked some over time. Doesnt overheat at all Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Going to definitely give that block tester a shot. I appreciate that info, Thanks!! Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk