Servicing Mini Turbo ERA?
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi I've just bought a Japanese Spec Mini Era Turbo.

The car has been sitting for some time and needs servicing.

I need to do the following but am wanting to keep it as stock as possible:

Spark Plugs: NGK has said I should use BPR6E / BPR6EIX (Iridium) / BPR6EIX-P (iridium plug platinum chip
New Leads: Any recommendations?
Oil: 10w40?
Air Filter: Any recommendations?
Oil Filter: Any recommendations?
Fuel Filter: Any recommendations?

Any other things to look at on a car that has been sitting for a while?

Hi,

also own an ERA.

Try with the 6er NGKs if they fit Your driving style. I went one grade cooler.

I use 10w40 Shell Helix HX6 oil. They recommendet me this and thats what i use.

Air filter: good luck finding one...
Oil Filter: the one my parts guy send me
Fuel filter: behind the Plenum an inline filter made in plastic. I just bought one at a Mini Meeting and installed it.

Check the Brake and Clutch Fluid, use Your grease gun, replace tires, check suspension.

if its been stood for ages you may find the valve stem oil seals have gone hard and will cause it to smoke, other than that get some pics up

Edited by wng691s clubby on 11th Mar, 2014.

Done now needs redoing lol

Id get some Magnecor ht leads using them alot recently on a load of diff cars makes a difference quality is top Also hand made.

According to the ERA forum the air filter is from a ford XR3i or at least that is the usable equivalent.

http://www.eraturbo.co.uk/eraturbo/phpbb3/...8&view=previous

Edited by smokestack-lightning. on 11th Mar, 2014.

Double-Blind experiment, N:
An experiment in which the Chief Researcher believes he is
Fooling both the subject and the lab assistant. Often accompanied by
a belief in the Tooth Fairy.

Yep, air filter is same as XR3i, as that's the K&N equivalent I used some 20years ago.

There was a thread recently where an ERA owner in the US asked, and I found some part numbers.

Edited by stevieturbo on 11th Mar, 2014.

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

^^^^^^^^^^^^ the man to ask then.

Double-Blind experiment, N:
An experiment in which the Chief Researcher believes he is
Fooling both the subject and the lab assistant. Often accompanied by
a belief in the Tooth Fairy.

In my Airbos the Ford Filter is a little to small... It is possible to use it, but by far not perfect.

Are you in the UK? I have a Japanese one, and use an XR3i air filter, I'm Paul on the eraturbo forum. Different makes have different thicknesses, I found the wix one fitted better and used that. If it has been sat a while as is common in Japan I would recommend starting from the beginning remove the tank, flush the carp out of it, ERA's in Japan are often dry docked for years, hence th really low KM's but hard varnished fuel and rusty carp in the tanks has been found in all the ERA's I have had from Japan (3) plus one UK one. So flush tank, replace all the rubber fuel pipes, when you swap them over and you see how hard and brittle they are, you will be glad you did, replace the in line filter behind plenum, and while there, open up the inline fuses, and clean/replace them and also clean the fittings the fuel pump fuse is one of these and an iffy connection leads to all kinds of fuelling issues. Replace all the other fuel rubber hoses in engine bay, Japanese heat is much more extreme than here 40 degree summers, rubber doesnt take it. Replace also the ends on the vacuum pipes for the dizzy and the vacuum gauge you will need to pop the dash to do this, three screws two from underneath and one behind ashtray. these are always cracked or split completely. I would recommend having the carb off and flushing the lines once tank is replaced. and replace the carb seals and gaskets (service kit) the spindle seals are always rock hard and the micro cracking in the bottom seal when you pull it is scary... make sure you have the filter out of carb and replace it. Good luck with it, any problems ask I have probably been there before...

If you google and use the web, or filter makers websites, some of them will give dimensions.

Then you can pick whichever seems to fit best.

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

Oil wise the general consensus seems to be a good 20/50 oil. I run valvoline VR1 but others run Millers CTV.

Oil filter wise I would say unipart or a good branded filter.

Thanks guys, I'm based in New Zealand so I have to order parts from the UK.

The car is not running at the moment and has sat for 6-7 years in a garage but has less than 15,000kms.

In terms of air filter dimensions - I've found various sizes depending on the year of the Ford XR3i?

What year XR3i filter would you recommend? Mk4 / 1.6L?

WIX has the following:
338 x 134 x 41 mm

K&N has the following:
333 x 127 x 40 mm

Which dimensions are the closest to the original ERA Turbo air filter size?

will pull my original which is in a bag in the roof of garage... do you not have one in it to measure up?

Thanks so much skolawn - the car is currently being shipped and is about 4 weeks away. I'm ordering all the parts so I can get it running for compliance once it's landed.

Do you use a generic XN12A oil and fuel filter?

I would go for the larger size air filter, pretty sure the K&N was a loose fit in mine.

And I'm sure there is a vehicle one of the part numbers cross references too in NZ ?

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

I've just ordered a Fram CA3373 for those looking for an air filter (337/135/41 mm)

It is similar to the WIX WA6161 which others say they are using (338/134/41 mm)

In terms of oil, I just called Castrol to find out what oil would be close to what ERA recommends - the Castrol Syntron - X Fully Synthetic Engine Oil

They say I should use a 10w40 such as Castrol Magnatec. This is a semi synthetic oil.

I have seen a good deal for fully synthetic 10w40 by Nulon (Australian owned).

Would you go full or semi synthetic for an ERA turbo?

Edited by turbominera on 20th Mar, 2014.

Six of one, half dozen of the other really.

And will depend on usage.

If you bought an oil aimed at old V8 engines which might be more common in NZ, but semi or semi synthetic you wont go too far wrong.

Modern oils are of course very very good, but some have concerns about them and flat tappet cams.

Whether they are valid or apply to a Mini, I dont know. I ran my turbo mini almost 20 years ago and usually used cheapish 20/50, but changed often and never had any issues. Usually Duckhams Q or similar.

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/...appet_cam_tech/

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorO...et_Engines.aspx

http://www.ttalk.info/Zddp.htm

http://classiccars.about.com/od/maintenanc...il-Additive.htm

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

Same as I have used Valvoline 10/40 semi in my ERA

Thanks guys - picked up come Castrol Magnatec 10W40 semi synthetic and a Optima Red Top battery this weekend on special.

Just trying to pull some parts together from the UK to try and make the car run after sitting for so many years.

I'm think of starting with Unipart and ordering a new distributor cap, leads, rotor, oil and fuel filter.

OR, is it worth just ordering an ignition kit from Lucas like the one below:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-...n-707899031.htm

Paul when you replace the fuel lines and rubber hoses - where do you source these from?

Do you stick with the same fuel pump or replace it too?

Where do you get the carb service kit from too?

Am looking forward to getting into the project. Will post some pictures once it's arrived. Cheers

Edited by turbominera on 24th Mar, 2014.

I just took a sample of the pipe to the local motor factors, and bought a couple of meters suitable for unleaded and injection cars sold by the meter. Carb service kits I think I bought a couple of someone on here, if not burlen and most mini specialists stock or will get one, you need one specifically for the turbo HIF. I would use a n original lucas cap and rotor, leads you are better to take the leads to an old school motor factors, the Jap spec ERA there isnt a kit for, the coil is in a unique place and so has a different length lead and number one plug needs a long lead to go up over alternator and in from the top due to the A/C compressor in alternator position. Check fuel pump is the right one when you get it, if its working keep it they are often replaced with a low pressure pump for a non turbo in Japan. I know a mini guy in NZ will dig out his details, he used to run a mini shop over there so may be helpful to you and have gear coming from UK as shipping is normally the killer in buying parts here..

Do not replace the OEM turbo dizzy with that old Lucas stuff.

Not sure why they are listing that for a turbo, certainly based on the image it is not the same.

And a generic dizzy will not suit turbo and n/a due to wrong timing curve

ANy decent motor factors will be able to supply suitable fuel hose.

Pump is a Bosch efi pump as used on a few cars of that era. Old Golf GTi's, Vauxhall Cavalier SRi, and the Leyland turbos. Metro, Maestro, Montego, and possibly Lotus Esprit

If the pump is working no reason to change it.

Carb service kit might be harder to find due to being a turbo.

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

Hi guys, I'm currently in London on business but have picked up the following ERA specfic parts from Unipart instead of going for Lucas.

- Distributor cap
- Rotor Arm
- Oil filter
- Brake discs

Trupart - air filter and fuel filter

The car is on its way from Japan but is not running.

I have also bought an optima battery, new leads and spark plugs.

Will follow skolawn's guide to serving an era with old gas.

Is it worth getting a Lucas coil too?

Skolawn - you mentioned replacing all rubber hoses in the engine bay.

I can find silicone replacements but I would like hoses that look closest to original - you suggest Unipart for these too?

Would the Unipart replica hoses from a Metro turbo be suitable?

Thanks for your help!

BTW anyone know of any Mini specialists in London or Oxford who I could talk to about a carb service kit?

Burlen fuel systems are your only option for the carbs - uless one of the mini specialists has one on the shelf...

Thanks Dave managed to pick up a carb rebuild kit today :)