problem still there (part 2)
Turbo Mini Forums

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Did you have the head skimmed? Did you use a new gasket each time? Is your torque wrench any good? Did you re-torque the head after 50 miles?

Might just be the head. If you're lucky.
If it is, use the opportunity to swap it out for one with unleaded seats, slightly ported and larger chambers. You know it makes sense.

Also, only ever use the BK450 gasket (Rover 1275).

i have an mg metro unleaded head on ebay... its not even been bid one at 99p no reserve...

worth a squirt

whats wrong with the BK451 gasket set? thats the proper turbo one isn't it?

I usually use them as they come with the proper exhaust gasket and all the turbo/plenum gaskets aswell. for about £20

but this time i went for the BK450 like advised on here and realised it was a normal 1275 headset so i now need a turbo manifold gasket. bugger .

yeah the head was recently refurbed by vmax,so it can only be the block.

cant be arsed to get a new block

Iain I have looked at the goodie you have for sale I may bid later for some things.
But the most interesting thing was your feedback witch I scroled through and looked at the things you have been buying do you have strange tendencies ?

Edited by AllanMcD on 15th Apr, 2005.

http://www.rabdunn.co.uk/

Along with a selection of bikinis, this item is of particular "interest"

"Suits you sir !"

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That was before the missus got her own ebay account! honest!

Bunch of tossers! lol!

Your all just jealous of my bikini bod!!

ha ha ha!!!

Bring out the Iain.
The Iain is sleeping
I said, BRING OUT THE IAIN.

etc....

1275-dan stick with it youl get there eventually most of us on there have had annoying problems i think.just work throuh things eliminating things one buy one, maybe get it to a rolling road and get them to sort it out ( you should be able to do it yourself tho)

would like to see you checking you headgasket leak at 90moh tho

no longer a series, but still 1.3 turbo.

Dan - don't assume it's the block. I'm not going to say it's the head, but wierd stuff happens...

Take the head off and give it a once-over along with the block. You need to get a good straight edge to check effectivly mind.

If it all looks ok, then throw your studs in the bin and acquire some more that look 'virgin' (or spend the money on a set of ARP's if you so desire, but don't fall into the trap of thinking these will solve a current problem)!

Bud, I've always used the BK450 as it's easy to get hold of!!! It's well proven aswell. I was under the impression (as told by my rover dealer) that the 'turbo' gasket was superceeded by the stock gasket (BK450)?
Interestign stuff!!!

Edited by turbodave16v on 15th Apr, 2005.

Yes agree with the need to check head for flatness. Especially if it has been on and off 4 times now. If you can, get it on a surface plate and use feeler gauges under it as a start. TBH, it is probably worth asking a machine shop to give it the lightest skim they can get away with. If they take a first very light cut and it 'cleans' the surface all the way across the head, then it is OK and you will not have lost much volume. But if it leaves a low spot you might have found your problem.

A guy I know that has worked on Minis for years will not put a head back on an engine unless it has been skimmed........

well seeing as i've got the BK450 gasket now i'll give it a try, would it be wise though to get hold of the proper exhaust gasket? i'm guessing the steel rings on the exhaust ports are there for a reason? so the normal one wont take it?

I would say yes try to get the proper gasket. More than anything else because it is such an arse getting everything off to change it!!

Yes, agree with Tom. The standard gaskets are pants, deffo use the one with the fire rings. or an all metal one as picture here.

Phil.

WWW.TURBO-MINI.COM

ah sweet, i've got one of those all metal ones hanging on the garage wall.

I find it easier to get the head and stuff off now its a turbo Tom, took us 10mins last time the head needed to come off. the manifold nuts are so much easier to get at than my old n/a setup!