1983 Mini City

[colinf1]

A great warm day here, great to get out in the mini!

130km round trip in total, a bit noisier in the cabin now with the opening rear windows, but much more comfortable for the kids in the back now...

[Redned]

Looked nicer with the Black Grille.

[colinf1]

Thanks Redned, I just put on the chrome grille as I wanted to see what spots looked like. I've wired them with connections behind the grille so its easily swapped out.

[colinf1]

Not been doing much with the mini the past few weeks, plenty of spins here and there, drove to work a few times, nearly 1000kms done since it came out from hibernation, making the most of the fantastic weather we've been having the past few weeks!

Added a bonnet stripe and pin stripes along the side today, cheap ones from temu - so not expecting them to last...







I've double checked the timing, tightened up the alternator in a bid to eliminate a slight rattle when the engine is running, but still there, thinking it could be timing chain tensioner.

It has been driving great so a bit reluctant to go pulling the timing cover off.

[woody]

As with most Mini owners the modified/personalised bug is taking hold. Looking good.
To pin point the noise hold a length of tube to your ear and move the other end around the engine .

[colinf1]

Had a few hours to spare on Monday evening to have a closer look at what's causing the rattling, decided to take off the alternator belt to eliminate at alternator and water pump. Started the car and the noise was immediately worse, checked the crank pulley and could get a very very slight bit of movement. Took off the starter motor, locked the flywheel with a screwdriver and managed to get an adjustable spanner onto the bolt and got it tightened up ever so slightly. Checking the pulley by hand again and couldn't get any feeling of rotation.

Put all the pieces back together, started it up an the noise had disappeared. Drove it to work the next day and it felt very sluggish, but no rattling noise, had the timing gun in the car so took it out for a run at lunchtime to get it up to temperature, set the timing to 12° btdc, the drive home was much more livelier.

Then was on wedding car duty for my brother's wedding, just over an hour's drive to the venue, didn't miss a beat. He then took it off after the ceremony for photos, all arrived back safe and sound, although I forgot to tell him to ignore the fuel gauge saying it was empty on a half tank!

**But***....there's always a but....

Since tightening the crank pulley bolt, I have a bit of a whirring noise when it's idling, that goes away when the clutch is pressed.

[Billy]

Clutch release bearing?