my copper S

Just found out folks, its a mini Cooper 1.3i "L" reg, 1994, 37000, miles Fitzy

Sorry to add my two cents worth at this late stage, just found the group.

Anyway I used to own a mini once, I had the same problem occassionally, I found that the solenoid used to jam so took it off and gave the shaft a spray with wd 40 or some equivilent and it used to free it up no problem. I am in Australia I don't know if the engines are different but any good mini club member should be only to willing to help another mini owner.

regards Peter.

----- Original Message ----- From: "Fitzy" Newsgroups: alt.autos.mini Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 3:21 AM Subject: Re: my copper S

And possibility one of the worst things to ever get near a Mini is WD40 or equiv. Short time lubrication and water displacer, after that it picks up dirt and grim, is corrosive, etc.

I love Usenet. It's not what you say but the way that you say it.

Welcome to the news group Peter. You are more than welcome. Here in the UK, solenoid are easily sourced from most motor factors and cost less than a

10er (last time I bought one). It is probably better to just replace it. I assume that in Aus it is harder to get hold of parts and this probably applies to solenoids too.

The Muffin Man

Its possible the ECU or another electronic component is causing the problem, I don't think 4 or 5 garages would have missed the starter solenoid............ ? A big welcome from me also Pierre, hope you enjoy the NG, what part of Oz are you in, Fitzy

it is the E C U . it is now in birmingham being sorted with a bit of luck.

Keep us up dated carenpt1, Fitzy

Excellent news. Sorry we couldn't be much more help. ECU's are a pain. Fortunately they didn't fit pickups with them :D

The Muffin Man

Thanks Muffin Man, For a second there I was taken aback by the reply from Rob, however glad to here the problem may have been solved. I live in a city called Orange, it is about a three hour drive from Sydney and about a half hour drive from Bathurst in New South Wales. I spent many a good time watching Minis race around the mountain there, one year they even manage to win the great race there. Now that is dating ones self.

Catch you blokes later.

I live about 4 hrs down the road and also remember the Mini wins - still hate to go over skyline.

r

Hi Muffy, will you be doing the Lake tour this year, Fitzy

Hope to be but it depends on how things are going time wise. If I have to go down to London when it is on I won't be able to make it.

Having said that, I have to buy a wiring loom or I wont have anything to go in :D

That is the problem when you take a car to pieces, you have to put it back together again!!

The Muffin Man

Rob, Are you the Rob that almost bit my head off for suggesting WD40 or equivalent.

If you are, I > > Thanks Muffin Man,

occassionally,

I didn't mean for you to take offence - still any of these products are not the answer to reliability in maintenance of the mini.

Actually a clean distributor and leads will not attract or hold moisture in which the spark can track. People spray WD40 on to displace water but forget to clean it down after, this results in the collection of dust. So next time there is moisture around, the car will again need more WD40 and so on - till we can't see the distributor. It was an easy short term solution in which escalated ignition problems.

I do think now that people who still own a Mini have clean engines as they are no longer hack cars and we don't here much about ignition problems in wet weather.

The same applies to other uses in that it attracts dust and dirt (like the starter motor) My MG has the same starter inertia bendix and that has no cover at all, its exposed, its dry and was assembled with graphite.

r

Hi Rob,

You mention the corrosive nature of WD40.

What is the thinking here please?

Thanks

Peter

I beleive there are lots of urban myths about WD40, a tutor at college once told me that it caused corrosion!

Although I agree with the posts about keeping your engine clean , I am quite a fan of WD40 and use it for amongst other things displacing water as intended. I always have a can in the garage, I also keep one in the house under the sink with all the other cleaning stuff. (Anyone tried Mr Muscle for degreasing? Someone told me it was quite good, but I haven't tried it).

Check out the website and make up your own mind.

Data sheet:

2000 uses of WD40

Cheers

been away past 4weeks only just back and so is my Car :( the E C U unit got lost you wouldnt believe it . but all going well now wot a nitemare thanks you guys