pics attached of the combustion chambers

cylinders 3 and 4 look like they were running lean while 1 and 2 look rich. BTW this car does have the famous startup / idle stumble.

 

OK, I never saw mention of you having an R50. I was thinking those cylinder pressures were kinda high for a boost-fed engine. That should have been a clue.

Even though I provided forged rod links, the engine is the same size, and they would work. It would just be overkill for a naturally-aspirated engine.

Wow! That's a heck of a rod bend. Glad it's not worse.

And good job on finding that price. Keep us posted.

 

The S must have a different crank as well because the rods have different bearing diameters (and pin diameters for that matter).

 

Thanks for the update. I don't recall if the Bentley Manual indicates different diameters for each rod journal.

 

Well I finally got the piston a few days ago and the car is up an running again. Big thanks to the guys at Mini World in California. Also the radiator was leaking so I went with one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ht_3990wt_1165

and was extremely happy to find out its identical to the original radiator, every clip and feature was there and it went right in.

 

I usually don't post much here, my wife has a R50 and I have done similar work for a TSX a couple years ago due to it being hyrdolocked. Looking at all that carbon build up, do you know what type of gas is being used in the car? Regular or premium? I know some people have no problems with regular gas, but Mini does say to use premium, and I really think all that carbon is due to running regular gas, and not using a oil catch can.

 

Seafoam is snake oil. And a waste of time and money. I can't believe so many people sing it's praises. There are no magic cures.

 

Looking at the pictures in post #13, it appears that large sections of caked carbon had begun to flake away, but I don't know if that was due to the Seafoam treatment.

I don't know whether or not Seafoam is worthless, but for extreme cases of carbon buildup I don't believe it's a good substitute for mechanical de-carboning, at least not with a single treatment.

 

looking at how dirty this engine was, would it be a good idea to spray seafoam directly into the cylinders when changing the spark plugs?
the car would then sit with minimal amount in each cylinder alowing the seafoam to work on the piston, valves and the rest?
the rest of the can can later be used the old fashion way via PVC tube.

What do you guys think??

 

The carbon build-up problem is in the upstream side of the intake valves. Squirting it in the cylinders wouldn't help.

Dave

 

I'm with you on Sea Foaming my engine. This isn't the first bent rod that has been posted on this forum after Sea Foaming an engine. I have used Sea Foam in my oil (200 mile before changing it) and in my gas with no issues but have been hesitant on sucking it into my engine. I found the best thing to really clean the carbon out of my engine is to take it to the track. A few laps pushing 6000-7000 rpm cleans it out great. My car runs great on the way home from a day at the track.

 

After reading and seeing the pics. after the Seafoam tx.( ) I have decided to pass on using seafoam in my Mini.

However, is BG44K snake oil as well as Seafoam?

I have used it in my Mini and have actually gotten a little more response and extra MPG - but that does not say that it works, just that it has a kick factor built into it.

 

I know this is a semi old thread, but you are going to use any product that won't compress leave the spark plugs out.

Throw a towel over the motor and crank it a few times. Any excess will squirt out.

 

Holey moley - I said long ago just say NO to seafoam........

Chevron with Techron every tankful.........

 

I may be lost........ What with the MINI makes seafoaming such a popular subject? are all cars like this or is it just the mini?

 

Just cars with direct injection.
Most cars have port injection, which allows gasoline to wash the oil from the PCV system to clean the backs of the intake valves.

Direct injection engines, like the MINI, don't get that washing action. The oil burns on the backs of the intake valves and builds up until it causes problems.

Seafoam will help break it up, if the carbon deposits aren't built up too much.

The best way to prevent carbon build up on the intake valves is to get an oil catch can and empty it weekly.

Dave