Engine Oil Pump Diagnoistics For Classic Mini Cooper S

[@HREIRL]

Well done to everyone who guessed the answer is "drum roll" 3.2l 911 Porsche Head studs.

[@1chish]

I was part way right with 'head studs' 😂

[@davidmeadows5665]

I have a complaint! Since coming across your channel I can't get any work done. I had a couple of Minis many years ago (Full race Downton tuned Cooper S with 649 cam a pig to drive on the road and later on a Will Sparrow built Cooper S with 731 cam which was more suitable for road use) Also I was a mechanic in a BMC dealer and worked on Minis when they were in current production. I wish I had learnt some of your tips back then. You have made an old man very happy as I relive my youth enjoying your approach to the work you do.

[@teabelly1565]

I've worked on classic mini's since 1966 and I've never seen a flywheel that tight! interesting vid as always - thanks

[@glennlingard7851]

Not kidding but we had that on my 1300 princess couple years ago, engine was in situ but man it was bloody stuck on there, one thing l should mention, we had the flywheel in the correct position for the circlip as well, middle of the friction plate splines were stripped!

[@HighlandBoy]

Very interesting and well done video. Have owned a 998cc Cooper and two 1275cc 'S' types (one I bored +0.020" to 1293cc). On one of those cars, it had oil pressure at idle but as the engine was revved up, the pressure went down! In the end I stripped the engine down and found that the bolts holding the oil pump in place were only finger tight, from the factory. As the engine was revved, the pump started sucking air. I did this out on the street with the engine in situ. The biggest problem was breaking the flywheel from the crankshaft taper. I did everything shown in the video (made my own heavy duty puller) and the flywheel only broke free when I added a bit of heat and then hit it with a hammer with the puller fully tightened. It came free with quite a bang. Loved my Mini's though, and still do😃

[@jerrooney8714]

The only way that the manufacturer of the oil pump is going to know that there are problems with their parts is by people like yourself doing videos like this and pointing out the issues and eliminating all other possibilities and exposing what the real issues are, but it's only good if they are willing to address them and man up to their mistakes, I was waiting for a McIver to put in am appearance and that half a bell housing did not disappoint Paul. Great video . Stab in the dark at the head bolt BMW straight 6 320 engine early 80s.

[@HREIRL]

Thanks Jer I love to prove my own work, once I know what goes wrong I can assure my self I will avoid in the future. Close on that one but Porke Im afraid :)

[@jerrooney8714]

@@HREIRL no cigar this time .

[@traceymitchell2064]

Hi, Just watching your on oil pressure, I rebuilt my 1100 over a year ago, had no oil pressure the same as you after fitting a new pump, turn out to be the new pump body was not as thick as the old one causeing the bolts to slightly bottom out and not sealing the gasket, what a head ache for me after fitting the engine, realy enjoy your content, many thanks Dave

[@HREIRL]

thanks for that Tracey, could easily catch me out will watch for that in the future 👍

[@russell5790]

Just what I needed after an insane day at work... A cold one and a notification of a new upload. Cheers Paul :)

[@HREIRL]

Aww delighted to hear that buddy, I had a cold one after I figured out it was this pump as well always a great relief to know something was outside your control

[@davidmeadows5665]

It seems a lifetime ago when I worked on Minis and A series engines to remove the flywheel we used to put the puller on and then hit the outer circumference of the flywheel with an old steering shaft, usually cracked it without trouble.

[@robgrant1540]

Excellent video. Lesson learned for the future.

[@ryanharriss7950]

Wow, I'm truly surprised by a new oil pump failure. Just as well you test before starting. I'll be sure to do the same when I finally get the clubman done 👍

[@HREIRL]

Good man Ryan thats why I have made videos to help others avoid this painful problems

[@lesconnet2581]

Good work Paul, didn't think it would have been the pump gasket!

[@HREIRL]

I was just hoping but hay ho

[@thomasfarrell9482]

Excellent diagnostic technique as opposed to fools rushing in. How many would have concluded a defective brand new oil pump. Love the systematic approach and the unerring accuracy of the hammer. Obviously left handed. Clever use of a damaged housing and a vacuum bulb. Always nice when you can prove the problem.

[@HREIRL]

ya it helps me to make sure It wont catch me again in the future :)

[@TheGentlemensMotorRacingTeam]

Its well known I have little love for engines, however sir, your attention to detail passion and enthusiasm is inspiring - thank you

[@HREIRL]

Thanks buddy Im delighted you enjoyed it and find it interesting :)

[@richardredmond3931]

Great video Paul. Can’t wait to get the car out for a test day

[@HREIRL]

It will go like a hot snot now Richie :)

[@dalewarren9518]

Great to see how you tested it , I'm building a engine for the first time and oil pressure is the thing I'm most worried about . Great video 👍

[@HREIRL]

Thanks Dale, make sure you get pressure on the starter motor befour you put the engine in. That way if you do need to rectify anything its a bit less painful :)

[@rhysdigby-gu9ql]

another great episode paul ,well done,the next flywheel you pull try a little trick my father taught me many years ago,and ive been doing it for years and never fails, as its not only pressure you need its a vibration also, so instead of hitting the centre put a small socket over the bolts to protect the heads and hit those individually,2 or 3 short sharp shocks never fails,as by hitting the individual bolts the vibration is offset and not centralized,,keep up the good work,looking forward to getting my modified radiator back from your good self..

[@HREIRL]

Thanks for the advice N, I will most defiantly keep that in mind sounds like a neat trick

[@kevinparker5363]

Straight cut gears and putcheen in the tank !😉

[@milanbauer4226]

Nice idea with ball and hose.

[@HREIRL]

Ya works well and clearly tests the seal for a very visual indication of whats going on

[@tobymiddleton6763]

I'm sure that every mini owner will have a tale of poor quality parts... you've helped highlight an issue and certainly if/when I'm building my engine I'll take this into account. Your fault finding process will definitely influence how i look at faults going forward. Thanks.

[@Conor.Twomey]

Hi Toby, also watch out for poor quality bearings for the gearbox if you are rebuilding one. Insist on RHP, Koyo and INA bearings as there is a lot of rubbish out there.

[@tobymiddleton6763]

@@Conor.Twomey appreciate the info. I will certainly be attempting some rebuilds so i will keep that in mind. Something I've only just clicked on (naive as i am) is that it's better on so many levels to re-use original when possible

[@Conor.Twomey]

@@tobymiddleton6763 FYI Koyo is the parent company for Torrington and Timken bearings

[@tobymiddleton6763]

@@Conor.Twomey i wasn't aware of that. I frequently hear from people who insist on Timken

[@HREIRL]

Great stuff I love to see conversations in the comments, Together and as collective we will be able to make everyones life easer and by is all insisting on quality we will force the hands of the manafactures to meet the quality we require

[@Harty1275]

I do remember you rebuilding a 911 engine a few years ago that went on to win the championship that year.

[@HREIRL]

you got it in one Harty 👍👍

[@andymurdoch1346]

Another great educational video Paul. They don't tell you all this stuff in the Vizard book (or any other come to mind). So much crap is sold now by so called reputable Mini suppliers. It's very annoying and time consuming.

[@HREIRL]

Thanks Andy you are very kind, as you say it's the time that bothers me more that anything. I have much more interesting to be doing than redoing work I have already done

[@luismanuelferreirarosafern1761]

Good Details ! ... Thanks !

[@chrisedmunds-h5j]

You are brilliant

[@Radfordperson]

I usually put the flywheel puller on, tighten it up, put two kettles of hot water on the flywheel, and it comes off easily.

[@HREIRL]

Great idea I might well just rob that 👍👍

[@paulp96275]

Sorry Paul pressed go before I finished great diagnostics a pleasure to watch your teaching this old fart a few things keep it up top lad finally 👍👨🏻‍🏭🇬🇧

[@HREIRL]

Thanks Paul your suport is greatly appreciated :)

[@eduardodedios8213]

Great video 👍🏽👍🏽

[@HREIRL]

Thanks Eduardo 👍👍

[@chris-tg6ki]

Faulty electronic gauge! Always use an analog gauge on first use, if still no oil pressure check the oil relief valve if all looks good on the relief, add a ball bearing in the the back of the plunger housing and recheck, means your relief isn't tensioned high enough allowing it to bypass, defective broken spring or maybe missing! We used to get alot of returned new oil gauges!

[@HREIRL]

Duff pump in this case Chris but you are on the right track all good things to look out for

[@chris-tg6ki]

@@HREIRL We used to do a conversion on the front of the box, just above the ribs, allowing the pick-up out the front then to a remote filter and fed back in through the original pick-up location with the outer blanking plate on the inside. This allowed the oil to be filtered before hitting the pump. It was just my guess before watching.

[@toddavies1326]

I’m having an issue at the moment with an engine - priming the pump, getting 75 psi once primed with plugs out but then over night it looses prime - takes around 30 seconds to bring it back Putting it down to relief valve leaking maybe or slight weep from oil pump at bottom but that could be just oil from the hole at bottom of pump. Strange O ring between box and pick up is fine

[@paulrobinson3528]

12:12 Paul, you need a bigger hammer lol. 14:25 told you ha ha

[@HREIRL]

haha always start with the smallest and work ones way up

[@paulrobinson3528]

So considering new oil pumps are questionable, would you have a problem using older original pump still in tolerance??

[@HREIRL]

No If it measures up right I wouldn't even hesitate using them

[@benjaminbenson8714]

New to the channel and really enjoying the content. Bit of topic. What song is in the back ground around 27 mins?

[@HREIRL]

Its called Virginia Highway by Epic Sounds

[@benjaminbenson8714]

@@HREIRL thanks. Keep up the good work. I'm binging through the back catalogue.

[@1chish]

I reckon the 'studs' used in that flywheel puller are old head studs. UNC one end and UNF the other. And I notice you used the captive nut engine mounts as I have for years. Removes the knuckle scraping! And one last comment? You said that is a 'Cooper S' but the block is a solid one without the rear tappet covers. So its a 1275?

[@HREIRL]

Ya we dont use the S blocks as there to old and precious anymore they need to be kept for road cars and not waisted on racers 👍👍

[@paulohlsen3332]

My old 1380 was like that for getting the flywheel off, better than being loose I suppose 👍

[@HREIRL]

for sure Paul dont want it coming loose :)

[@EdwardWestbury-zy2oo]

HI , Can you help, I have good oil pressure when it cold, once its hot the oil pressure drops right off, I have checked the the sleeve and the spring in the block and all works at it should, I'm now considering to pull the engine out and change the oil pump. Any advice greatly recieved. Thank you.

[@nicholasreason8379]

now that is FT

[@HREIRL]

😂 got a good chuckle out of that 👍

[@pauljeffries]

Yet another great video Paul, the quality of new parts now is shocking

[@HREIRL]

Its completely shocking and completely uncalled for

[@2tall4shorts12]

Surprised nobody called out the PRV as a possible cause. I had an issue where somebody had missed out the ball in the PRV and the engine was just dumping the oil back into the sump as fast as it could manage. Not that you would ever make a mistake like that.

[@HREIRL]

Great shout Colin, that often can be a problem and can easily give similar problems

[@deangaryjames]

Just about to drop my engine back in , hope the pump swiftune sent with the sw5 cam is ok? 🙄

[@HREIRL]

It should be ok Dean, fingers crossed all goes well for you

[@paulrobinson3528]

You got a link to these AP oil pumps

[@HREIRL]

They are on stock in Mini Spares as the standard 13 GPM pump :)

[@gavinivers8941]

My late father, who was an engine builder and engineer, use to say " there is no such thing as a hammer that is too big, you do more damage if it is too small "

[@HREIRL]

I like that Gavin 👍

[@stewartpalmer7039]

Couldn't get a flywheel off once even after hitting with a hammer. Gave up left it under tension and went to bed in the morning it was sitting on the floor.

[@HREIRL]

haha that has happened me before Stewart the end result was positive so happy days :)

[@timbo19751975]

Aside from the unforgivably dire quality of the oil pump in the video,, would you not pack them with vaseline to aid priming at first start anyway?

[@HREIRL]

That is a Very successful Method It however puts a-lot of pressure on the drive spigot in the cam so I try avoid it as you say the pumps are shocking quality at the best of times

[@jonathandavies7462]

Watch AC Dodd’s vid on why and how he makes his “zero tolerance oil pump”, that’s where I got mine from

[@paulgoldsmith4693]

Hi Paul, do you think that the decline in quality could be a sign of the slow demise of the internal combustion engine as we are forced into alternative power sources?

[@HREIRL]

Its hard to know Paul, I do think you might be on to something tho, I think things are unlikely to get better unfortunately

[@daniely4748]

Hi ! Is it possible to know where you brought your first oil pump from ? At least privately if you refuse to mention it in comments publically . As I may order pumps in quantity and don't want to invest in a faulty product ... Thanks

[@DavidJones-gr8ku]

Always thought the S block had tappet chest covers

[@HREIRL]

Hi David they most defiantly would we don't run the S blocks in the racers as they are just to precious to chance damaging them in a race situation.

[@28854david]

Elementary dear Watson.

[@HREIRL]

Clues tell us everything if we know how to interpret them :)

[@unclekevin5094]

2nd lol. But I am sure I will enjoy it just as much as Paul Robinson.

[@paulrobinson3528]

"Kev the Rev"?

[@unclekevin5094]

@@paulrobinson3528 Perhaps 45 years ago. Now its more like a stately stumble along.

[@paulrobinson3528]

@@unclekevin5094 But still cool with the shades lol

[@unclekevin5094]

@@paulrobinson3528 But only when I can remember where I put them down.

[@HREIRL]

Good man Uncle K 👍 good to see ya

[@fransmallia3995]

The problem from the gas kit?

[@prawny12009]

Oil pump turn clockwise with the cam? (Looking from front of the engine) Also what is the purpose of the small hole in the pump near the shaft?

[@HREIRL]

it allows a small amount of oil to make its way to the front cam bearing

[@patrickcallaghan1714]

That's terrible for brand new parts. And when you were taking the flywheel off I think I heard you whispering under your breath " Please don't make me look a fool on camera" ha-ha, cheers Pat

[@HREIRL]

You better believe I said that and a few other choice words lol

[@MiniPerformance]

Have you ever watched a vid where you tell the guy on screen ' you need a bigger hammer mate'... I just did, and guess what he went for!!! He heard!! Lol! I don't like those cheap oil pump gaskets I prefer the better quality ones, maybe a better call on our road engines that stay in longer? (Ideally!)

[@HREIRL]

Haha i always start off small and work my way up to bigger :) wouldn't it be great if they did stay in longer lol

[@colinbarr929]

I cut my teeth on mini engines 50 years ago didnt have a heap of fancy tools took flywheel off using brass hammer through starter hole as needs must. Rebuilt triumph gt6 2 litre even went as far as reaming in small end bushes but had poor oil pressure tried lapping in pressure relief valve etc etc eventually dropped sump took of new oil pump only to find flat surface badly machined took it back to dealer got a replacement pump that solved the problem but was sickened so got rid of car

[@HREIRL]

aww thats very disappoint but at least you solved the problem 👍

[@kimmattsson9379]

Hi, in my opinion the oilpump lid should be totally flat, now you have some machined receses in the lid, its not tight to the oil spindle. It will have an oilchannel there, and loss in oil preswure

[@paulrobinson3528]

9:00 head bolt?

[@HREIRL]

your are on the ball for sure

[@paulrobinson3528]

The Wok?? what ever happened to the "bell housing"

[@HREIRL]

who are you calling a Bell Housing 😂

[@healey100austin]

Cyl head stud?

[@HREIRL]

sure but which one :)

[@paulrobinson3528]

25:00 so the pump shaft is on the piss or is the back plate warped?

[@HREIRL]

Both it would seem Paul.

[@paulrobinson3528]

@@HREIRL Having a warped mind and pissed is never a good end result lol

[@aussiebloke609]

I'm guessing Porsche flat-6 head studs.

[@HREIRL]

you nailed it 👍👍

[@aussiebloke609]

@@HREIRL Woot-woot! :-D

[@milanbauer4226]

Vw beatle head stud?

[@milanbauer4226]

It has to be bigger than 4cyl. 😂

[@HREIRL]

on the right track a trumped up VW 😜

[@paulp96275]

Fantastic Paul Hong Kong Fooie made that pump on his/her back kitchen table HPFP on BM Minis are just as bad again Chinese made there’s no quality checks but I’m finding more parts in uk boxes but then find out the parts come in a skip and packaged here and sold as uk manufactured

[@HREIRL]

it very disappointing unfortunately Paul. The bit that really upsets me is Hong Kong Fooie is more than capable of caring out quality control but the people buying skip fulls of oil pumps cut there cost to the bone so there is nothing in it for them so the guys boxing them can sell them for massive profit

[@unclekevin5094]

Its shocking when parts that you buy off the shelf fail like this. For a hobby builder it just means some more time and frustration but when it happens to a small business the extra time and work eats into the profit margin and small businesses can not pass this on to the customer. Its a shame that you can not get compensated for the extra time and cost these faulty parts cause you.

[@HREIRL]

You are Dead right Uncle K, I have precious little time at the best of time and problems like this are so unnecessary and just put other peoples projects back which I honestly think is so unfair

[@paulrobinson3528]

1st lol. Pauk H just call me sad lol

[@HREIRL]

good job Paul :)

[@paulrobinson3528]

v12 Porsche?

[@HREIRL]

6 cyl but yes Porsche :)

[@paulrobinson3528]

@@HREIRL Porsche only done a v12 in F1. No road going version but hey, two v6's put together lol

[@tonycamplin8607]

What terrible quality, I hope that you claimed off the supplier for your time as well as a new pump. By the way we never had any problems with BMC pumps back in the day.

[@HREIRL]

The older pumps where of much higher quality and where made too much better tolerances.

[@thomasjensen4360]

Porsche 911 4x6=24

[@HREIRL]

Well done Thomas you got it in one 👍👍

[@paulrobinson3528]

You do realise that NOS pumps will be selling for silly money on Flebay now lol..........already checked................non there!!

[@HREIRL]

haha they will be out the door 😂

[@paulrobinson3528]

30:00 you should not have to do oil pump testing when you buy new, who is making this crap stuff?

[@MiniPerformance]

Lots of cheap shit made in India (minisport pumps) don't know where minispares get theirs made though? and not sure they'll say.

[@HREIRL]

Completely right it is a consumer unit it should be fit and forget

[@paulrobinson3528]

30:40 Wash you mouth out mentioning German stuff on this channel!!