So I just rebuilt my w10 Cooper engine, and tried to crank it over for the first time this weekend. Turned the key and the engine wants to start, but I get nothing. So I do a compression test and all 4 cylinders and each one comes back with no compression. Head was done with all new valves, seals, rockers, etc. So I'm pretty sure I'm not leaking. The only thing I didn't replace were the springs but those tested out fine (and operate fine when I manually spin the engine).

So I'm thinking that my timing may be off a bit and the valves are opening/closing slightly off. I've done timing a hundred times before on other cars, but this is my first on the mini. Here's how I set it:

• Cylinder one TDC
• Cylinder one valves are both closed
• Cylinder four exhaust valve is open, intake closed
• Camshaft tick is pointing at 12:00 (I used the camshaft tool to lock it in)

Does this look right for stock timing?


Thanks!

 

The proper way to set timing is to align the copper colored timing chain links with the respective marks on the crank and cam sprockets. Non-quantitative observations of the timing are pretty much worthless.

 

Thanks. I've read a few contradicting things about those links (and I believe that one of the service manuals or scanned PDFs floating around says to ignore those completely when redoing the timing).

So as long as the cam is at 12:00 and I have the gold link lined up on the cam, I know where to position the crank, correct?


Also - I've read on a few forums that the actual link should be one off on the cam and that the manual is wrong. Any truth to this?

 

NO NO NO

Set it up with the 2 links with the 2 arrows on the lower sprocket and the single link on the cam sprocket--cam lock tool is just to allow you to tighten the cam sprocket.

You may have no compression because you have bent the valves---these ARE INTERFERENCE MOTORS--improper time will cost you much $$$$

 

Ouch.....might be time to start the new rebuild again....
Yes, the rR0 has higher compression pistons.....so unlike the r53 (s), it IS an interference motor.....
Ouch....

 

Got it. I'll be sure that they are properly lined up on both sprockets, thanks!

With regards to the potential that I bent valves, I'm crossing my fingers otherwise. While the engine turned over, it never started...

 

You can still bend the valves--doesn't matter if it started--simply the starter turning over the motor is enough to bend them. Plus the turning over for compression test.

As far as I know w10 and w11 are both interference motors!!!

 

Thanks guys - learned my lesson here. Redid timing with the links/ticks and timing sounds/looks good now.