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 Posted: Jun 18, 2018 01:19AM
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GB

Compression check, leakdown check, think about pulling the head off to check for bent valves or pushrods.  Look for broken valvesprings, cracked top caps, and if you have a borescope look for signs of piston to valve collisions.

Any damage is likely to be internal or mechanical - faffing about with plug wires is like putting up an umbrella in a tornado.

 Posted: Jun 17, 2018 06:36PM
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CA
Checked all the wires (very new).

I always thought old cars were expensive......then I got an ex-wife Yell

 Posted: Jun 17, 2018 02:11PM
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US
have you checked the ignition wires and sure they're seated in the cap? Coil wire?  First thing I'd check if it appeared to be running on 3 cylinders.

 Posted: Jun 17, 2018 01:06PM
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CA
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevin in ottawa
Thanks Dan,

I believe, upon reflection, that I went 4th to 1st.
The engine felt a little different, but I was a little shook up AND THEN THE FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF (loose wheel nuts from shop).
The shop repaired the damage and didn't note any engine issues. And it seemed fine for a while and then it didn't.
It's going back to the shop as my mechanic skills (such as they aren't) are tapped out.
Ah, 4th to 1st makes sense. Would also better explain the tire chirp.
If it seemed OK at first, then not, then it may be an un-related issue. Maybe a loose wire or vacuum line or something as simple as the dashpot oil getting low. Let us know what the shop finds, though loose wheel nuts would make me dubious.

.

"Hang on a minute lads....I've got a great idea."

 Posted: Jun 17, 2018 11:45AM
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GB
Suzy says Hi too

 Posted: Jun 17, 2018 07:55AM
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CA
and thanks and hello to you Alex.

I always thought old cars were expensive......then I got an ex-wife Yell

 Posted: Jun 17, 2018 07:54AM
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CA
Thanks Dan,

I believe, upon reflection, that I went 4th to 1st.

The engine felt a little different, but I was a little shook up AND THEN THE FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF (loose wheel nuts from shop).

The shop repaired the damage and didn't note any engine issues. And it seemed fine for a while and then it didn't.

It's going back to the shop as my mechanic skills (such as they aren't) are tapped out.

I always thought old cars were expensive......then I got an ex-wife Yell

 Posted: Jun 16, 2018 04:58AM
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CA
I'm wondering how a downshift from 4th to 2nd could occur accidentally - the positions are side by side, not one above the other.

I'd start with a compression check to see that all valves are seating. That would almost rule out valve damage, though not necessarily a bent pushrod.
Next I would check static ignition timing WITHOUT ADJUSTING ANYTHING. That might indicate if the valve timing has been shifted. If your static timing was at say 8 deg BTDC and now shows something different, say 10 or 12, then you can suspect the valve timing has shifted. (Timing between the cam and distributor won't change. I'm thinking the cam timing would have jumped forward in this scenario.)

.

"Hang on a minute lads....I've got a great idea."

 Posted: Jun 16, 2018 02:20AM
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GB
Depending on how badly the engine overrevved, you may have bent something in the valvetrain.

A friend lent his UJ Mini out to another friends wife at a track day a few years ago, and she went third to second at flat chat - the engine has smoked like a battleship ever since and has precious little oil pressure.  Something broke.

 Posted: Jun 15, 2018 05:58PM
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CA
Thanks Dan,

I wasn't going really fast and the engine still runs, but almost like it is running on 3 cylinders, but not quite. No power.

I always thought old cars were expensive......then I got an ex-wife Yell

 Posted: Jun 15, 2018 03:53PM
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CA
Hi Kevin, welcome back.
In my opinion it shouldn't alter timing, unless the timing chain has a lot of slack - enough to allow it to skip a tooth. It might happen if the crank was forced to  change rpm instantly and the cam momentum jerked the chain, but I doubt it.

.

"Hang on a minute lads....I've got a great idea."

 Posted: Jun 15, 2018 03:46PM
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CA
Wifey downshifted 4th to 1st when she got rattled by a woman coming down an on ramp in Interstate 40 in Tennessee.  Just about jumped up out of my seat.  Though we missed a 'big bang', Wifey has never driven a Mini again. 

 Posted: Jun 15, 2018 01:02PM
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CA
Hello All,

Quick, and possibly a stupic question.

Can a hard downshift, say fourth to second, where the front wheels shutter cause a timing problem in the engine?

Let see if you think it can happen and we can go in to more detail.

Thanks!

Kevin
In Ottawa.....Canada, not Kansas

I always thought old cars were expensive......then I got an ex-wife Yell