Today Allen (son) arrived and we set out on objectives:
o swept out the garage
o moved Mini out of corner
o with air gun blew out area around spark plugs
o removed plugs and squirted oil into each cylinder
o ran engine on starter with ignition off until oil pressure registered
o installed plugs, and turned on ignition, let float bowls fill, set choke, and pressed starter switch
o fired right up – always a good sign!
o running about 2000 rpm, let coolant temp come up to 40C (it runs well with choke off there)
Went for test drive – all well, except bottomed out left front on full lock.
Back home, we let it set and consumed the noon repast. A bit of oil leaked onto garage floor, and we could not find source – seems to be near engine front, and below cylinder head.
We worked on ride height, set type pressures, and then went for another test drive – bottoming out reduced.
After another several hours wait, only a bit of oil still leaking. Could it be residual?
Next step: clean engine below head with Very Hot water – avoiding electrics – and then drive, park, and observe.
Mini 