Automatic failure.

[Vortz marcos]

So my wife's auto mini gearbox has failed. I'm looking for options as to what to do. It's a 998cc so is low on power for modern driving. I would love to fit a bigger engine but know that it too may have issues. As for swapping to manual,it's out. She won't drive one. Has anyone rebuilt an auto with any success? I know of the auto mini forum but it's mostly full of discussions(arguments) about what oil is best for autos. And when someone sent me a download for a technical manual all I got was some Indian computer virus that finished off my laptop.

Any advice on what's best to do? About the mini, not the laptop.

[Peter Laidler]

Surely there will be a mini auto gearbox specialist out there who can help. I've never done one but the workshop manual has lots of pages dedicated to the auto box.

You don't say why it's stopped or a bit of the cause or run-up to the problem. With that info, someone on ere might recognise what the prob was.

[Vortz marcos]

There is a specialist and he's quite local but has a bad reputation for taking large sums of money and then disappearing,only to start up again. As for the problem, it's been a slow death to be honest. For a start it leaks oil like I've never seen on a mini. The engine itself does not leak a drop. But the box does....a lot. It lost 4th gear and shortly after it stalls with a bang as soon as you select drive.

[mab01uk]

Not sure if this is your local specialist below with a bad reputation or not?....but 'AP2 World' used to advertise in the Mini magazines.

AP2 World for Automatic Mini repairs and spares:-
https://ap2.world/

Ideally what you need is a late low mileage 1275cc Automatic most of which were fitted to the Rover Minis exported to Japan.

[EMOKID]

Try searching for a 1275 auto from a Metro. Vanden Plas was available as an auto maybe some other models. Must be some units below benches or in corners of garages

[Vortz marcos]

Try searching for a 1275 auto from a Metro. Vanden Plas was available as an auto maybe some other models. Must be some units below benches or in corners of garages

That's the way I was thinking, my only paranoia is buying into more issues. Also,does anyone know if autos came with twin SU's?

[Alex]

The carb upgrade for an Auto was to an HS4 from an HS2, none had twins as far as I know.
The orange BL manual AKD4935 has a decent auto section for repair and maintenance.

I fear the specialist referenced and the link provided may be the same...

[Alex]

Try searching for a 1275 auto from a Metro. Vanden Plas was available as an auto maybe some other models. Must be some units below benches or in corners of garages

At the very youngest, a Metro gearbox is going to be 34 years old now and spent its life in a bigger & heavier car.
Same with late Mini autos; mine is a '98 so it's just the 26 years old.
Everything has to be treated a core these days unless you've personally driven it (but then removing it from a working car becomes automotive murder...)

[mab01uk]

Try searching for a 1275 auto from a Metro. Vanden Plas was available as an auto maybe some other models. Must be some units below benches or in corners of garages

At the very youngest, a Metro gearbox is going to be 34 years old now and spent its life in a bigger & heavier car.
Same with late Mini autos; mine is a '98 so it's just the 26 years old.
Everything has to be treated a core these days unless you've personally driven it (but then removing it from a working car becomes automotive murder...)

Also probably the reason why, (according to one of the Mini magazines recently), a lot of auto Mini blocks are being converted to manual spec in Japan where many of the Rover Minis and Coopers sold were automatics (plus SPi and Air/Con).
How to Convert a BMC A-Series Cylinder Block From Automatic to Manual:-
http://mk1-forum.net/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=25995

[Peter Laidler]

Or....... get the wife a little similar sized auto. In the meantime, get rid of the auto box and engine and drop in place a standard manual 998. A bit more to it than that of course but easily achieveable.

Then you sell-on the good engine that is probably in demand if it's un-worn, attached to the knackered auto box that no one wants.

PS If you want a set of the 10mm plates needed to raise the manual gearbox slightly in the auto subframe, they're yours for a 6 pack of Fosters!

[Vortz marcos]

Or....... get the wife a little similar sized auto. In the meantime, get rid of the auto box and engine and drop in place a standard manual 998. A bit more to it than that of course but easily achieveable.

Then you sell-on the good engine that is probably in demand if it's un-worn, attached to the knackered auto box that no one wants.

PS If you want a set of the 10mm plates needed to raise the manual gearbox slightly in the auto subframe, they're yours for a 6 pack of Fosters!

She has an automatic Mini Paceman for daily duties. The classic one is for a bit of fun on nice days. Manual conversion was suggested but it's a no go. If anyone has an auto unit going or finds one on their travels please remember me.

[Andrew1967]

I have an early 998 auto box I don’t want

No idea of condition as hasn’t been used in years.

Need to split from the engine and won’t have the hardy spicer diff as parts of that are being used for an S box

[Peter Laidler]

I saw ion the forum a couple f months ago a total brain-wave of a gadget where you could put an assembled engine onto this jig thinggy and run the engine and go through the gears etc etc. Maybe you (Vorts) could test Andy's box on your engine on this test jig. At east you'd know that it was OK before you put it in the car

[Striped shirt]

Hello.
Give Martin a shout at KM Precision Engineering in Northampton. He reconditions auto boxes, including torque converters.

[Vortz marcos]

I have an early 998 auto box I don’t want

No idea of condition as hasn’t been used in years.

Need to split from the engine and won’t have the hardy spicer diff as parts of that are being used for an S box

I sent you a message but I'm not sure if you got it as it didn't show in my sent messages box. I may be interested in it.

Chris.

[Andrew1967]

Hi Chris,

I did send an email to you in reply ? I'll send it again.

Regards

Andrew

[Vortz marcos]

For some reason the messages are not showing. I will try to contact the mods on this.

[Andrew1967]

Chris, I sent it to your hotmail email address not via the Mk1 Forum .

[Vortz marcos]

Well I feel like a right plum. Yep got it thanks. Let me know what happens,cheers.

[Terrapin-52]

Hi Vortz marcos

sent you a PM on the Auto gearbox/parts/998 engine

regards mike