Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello Folks.

Took the minor to wednesbury yesterday (64 miles from evesham)

When we got home there was a shhh shhhh shhh shhh noise coming from the engine.

It seems to disapear when the clutch is pressed and it happens when the revs are increased.

Have i broken the clutch somewhere from motorway driving.

James Stephenson

p.s iam new to morris minor ownership so please excuse my newbie questions

Is there any 'free-play' in the clutch pedal movement ? Check with your hand - should be at least 1/2" of completely free movement before the clutch release bearing contacts the pressure plate.

Depressing the clutch pedal takes the load off the engine so it may just be coincidental to you operating the clutch and not directly related - Try to listen under the bonnet for where the noise is coming from - particularly around the cylinder head area....

Hello PSL184

Could it be related to the head gasket as it is weeping a little bit near the heater tap (water) on the other side (Carb side) it is weeping oil.

I have ordered a new head gasket set (Copper head gasket)

Can i leave the exhaust manifold attached with a jack supporting the downpipe while i remove the head.

Will i be able to tackle it with a waterpump under my wing etc.

James Stephenson

I wouldn't worry about very small water and/or oil leak. Doubt it's the swhh noise - if it's blowing out it will be very much more marked when running and can't see clutch pedal having any effect ??
Yes - manifold can be left attached - but with head off you should grind in the valves - which will not be easy with manifold on the head! I find it easier to detach the manifold from the head - but leave it attached to the exhaust and leave the carb on ! Yes - support it from below. Not understanding - 'waterpump under my wing ' ???

James - The head gasket is a straight forward enough change but I suggest you read up from the manual to familiarise yourself with the procedure first and as Roy says, it is easier with the manifold off the head. Also fit new gaskets to the manifolds when rebuilding. But, are you sure you mean head gasket and not rocker cover gasket? Its almost imposible to diagnose a noise without seeing the car but if it is the head gasket it will definately get worse, the noise will become much louder and you will find that the engine runs very rough (although at idle it could be OK)

'waterpump under my wing '

I think James means that he has learnt from doing that job and would the head gasket change be within his abilities...

does the swooshing sound only occur when the car is in gear? (put it in neutral and press the acellerator)

What happens when you drive up a steep hill in a fairly low gear then put your foot to the floor (does the car go faster, or does the swooshing sound increase?)

Has the air filter box fallen off?

Ahhhh - that will be it! I would say 'under my belt' !

Sorry ecosse under my belt should have been my word

I will test the car next tomorrow as we had a lot of snow fall last night.

Definitly head gasket not rocker cover gasket.

I have ordered a new head gasket set.

Would a water pump that has not been greased make a wooshing noise.

James

Someone will no doubt say that the pump should be greased but I never have done..... ?

Only the very original pumps had a screw that could be removed - and oil/grease inserted! No - don't see a water pump'whooshing' !

iv had the same noise in mine for years if I sit in nutral and rev the engine it increases in volumn. If I tap the clutch with my foot a few time it goes away( No prizes for guessing that its the carbon thrust bearing sticking to the clutch pressure plate ).Might get round to doing it one day.

Yes - which puts us back to my first suggestion - is there any 'free play' in the clutch ??? !!!

Is the water leak definitely from the head gasket? You mention that you've changed the water pump. It's not unknown for water to leak from the pump, gasket, or hoses, and then be blown back along the block by air from the fan until it appear at the rear. The hot engine then dries off the trail that might have been left. The same thing can occur with an oil weep from the front of the engine appearing to drip from the back. Doesn't answer your strange noise, but might be quicker and easier the check than changing the head gasket. That job is straightforward as long as you have a torque wrench and follow the instructions in the manual. If you did do it with the water pump, then fit a new bypass hose when changing lifting the head.