Leicester Mechanic

If your Mini needs an urgent repair, a new timing belt , brake pads or just a general service and oil change and you're looking for a garage or mobile mechanic in the Leicester area then use our simple form to arrange a quote; Perhaps you need a specialist mechanic or a garage in the Leicester area experienced with diagnosing common Mini problems or with the OBD equipment to identify & reset factory service faults and take care of those service warning lights
You can complete our simple enquiry form in less than 30 seconds

If your Mini has broken down or you need an important Mini milestone service or general maintenance in the Leicester area it can be quite stressful choosing a mechanic familiar with your Mini model or type of Repairs repair if you haven't had time to build up a relationship with a local garage
Use the form to find a local garage to repair and maintain your Mini

Mini Leicester Repairs

We can help source most Mini Parts for local fitting

Mini Timing Belt - Mini Cambelt
Mini Timing Belts replaced as part of a planned Mini service or if the Timing Belt on your Mini has snapped then a full engine inspection for valve & piston damage

Mini Tyres
Steel wheels, alloy wheels and tyres repaired and replaced with cheap tyres, run-flat tyres or low profile & performance tyres depending upon your budget and driving requirements. Part-Worn tyres may be available for your Mini model

Mini Autoelectrics
Mini electrical faults diagnosed - OBD fault finding - Mini engine fault codes checked & service lights reset - ECU problems, key coding and CANBUS systems checked

Mini Starter Motors
Replacement Mini Starter motors installed

Mini Fuel Pumps
Often replaced at a milestone service if the fuel pump is operated by the Timing belt

Mini Cooling System
Replacement Mini radiators fitted, cooling system pipework inspected for leaks and cooling fluid replaced to keep your Mini engine at its optimal operating temperature

Mini Oil Change & Filters Replaced
Mini Air filters, pollen filters; oil filter & fuel filter replaced, engine oil changed - Multigrade or Synthetic oils

Mini Clutches
Mini clutch repairs Leicester - Checking for leaks and repairing-replacing the clutch master-slave cylinder and fitting a new Mini Clutch kit

Mini Exhausts
Mini Engine manifolds, Front box, Back box, catalytic converter and exhaust pipes for Mini Exhausts fitted & welded

Mini Brakes
Routine Mini servicing, replacement Mini brake pads & discs fitted, Mini hydraulic pipework and joints inspected, repaired or replaced for a complete braking system overhaul

Mini Alternators
Replacement Mini alternators fitted

Mini Body Panels
Replacement Mini panels fitted & sprayed to match - Light Mini Panel damage repairs

Mini Performance Spares
OEM Mini parts fitted or replaced with alternative performance parts

Mini Suspension System
Mini replacement shock absorbers & springs fitted for front or rear suspension problems, broken springs. Custom suspension systems installed, lowering springs fitted

Mini EGR Valves
Replacement Mini EGR valves - ensure the exhaust gas recirculation system is functioning correctly on your Mini - The EGR valve helps your Mini burn fuel more efficiently by recirculating a portion the exhaust gas through combustion chamber and helps reduce Mini engine emissions; a broke or sticking EGR valve can be the cause of an MOT failure due to excessive emissions

Mini Engines
Mini Engine repairs, cylinder head skimming, valves & pistons

Mini Gearboxes
Mini Manual & Automatic gearbox servicing & repair - Fitting a new or reconditioned Mini gearbox

Mini Paint Resprays
Paint resprays for minor scratch damage to the Mini paint surface or coating; Custom paintwork to make your Mini different using metallic paints, pearlescent pigments or company colours.

Mini Electrical Components
Mini electrical faults repaired using Mini OEM components - Mini sensors checked e.g. Lambda sensors, air flow meters etc

Mini Services - Mini Hydraulic Braking System Servicing and Repair Leicester

Modern Mini braking systems use hydraulic links to transfer stopping power

Mini brakes can last for thousand of miles depending on use and regular service

The enforced contact between the brake pads and brake drum or brake disc increases friction to slow down or stop the vehicle

The brake pedal controls the Master Cylinder (a fluid filled hydraulic piston) that transfers stopping power to the brakes

Braking increases hydraulic brake fluid pressure

The hydraulic brake fluid is a non-compressible liquid so braking pressure is transferred via the brake pipes to the wheels and operates a slave cylinder piston that forces the brake pads against a brake drum or brake disc

Mini Disc Brakes and Drum Brake Systems

Drum Brakes, if fitted, are usually found on Mini rear wheels

Mini disc brakes have a pair of high friction brake pads mounted either side of a brake disc

In hydraulic braking systems, braking pressure operates a slave cylinder

Drum Brakes are an older system than Mini disc brakes and use two half moon shaped brake shoes that move outwards during use to apply a frictional stopping force against the inside of a brake drum

Hydraulic braking pressure forces a brake calliper to press the brake pads against the disc to apply the necessary stopping force

Mini Brake Servicing - Mini Brake Maintenance & Parts Replacement

If the Mini brake discs warp then they should be replaced immediately

Mini brake discs will wear and need replacing eventually and should be inspected for pitting

if the Mini brakes overheat and are allowed to cool with pressure still applied for m the brake pads/shoes then it is possible for the disc to warp.

The brake pads on your Mini should wear first

Mini Brakes will safely function correctly without the need for replacement for many thousands of miles

Mini Brake Servicing & Inspection Leicester

Handbrake function and travel

Brake drum condition

Correct brake pad movement and level of wear

Hand brake linkage condition

Clean and remove brake dust and loose corrosion and dirt from drums

Top Up Brake and Clutch Fluid Levels or

ABS warning light operation

Auxiliary handbrake shoes where appropriate

And carry out the following maintenance of your Mini braking system:-

Brake calliper operation

Lubricate Hand Brake Linkages

General brake disc condition

Hydraulic brake pipe fittings and joints for corrosion and leaking

Wheel cylinder condition

Replace Brake Fluid if necessary

Adjust handbrake

Brake pipe Condition

Mini Steering System

The tyres will need to be replaced much sooner than necessary until the steering rack is adjusted to bring your wheels into correct alignment

One of the first signs of a potential problem with your Mini steering system is uneven tyre wear

The tyre tread is rapidly removed from the inner or outer tyre edge of your front tyres

Common symptoms of Mini steering alignment problems include:-
Vehicle Drift - Your Mini tends to pull left or right when travelling in a straight line
Modern Power steering and Drive by Wire Systems do not have the same mechanical linkages between the steering column and drive wheels making it difficult to 'feel' how the steering is performing.

Mini steering inspections:-

Steering Rack Gaiter condition

Steering Condition

Correct wheel balance, including spare

Correct wheel nut torque to manufacturer's recommendations

Mini Tyre wear and wheel alignment

Wheel Bearings for wear - play or noise

Power Steering Reservoir Levels and Top Up

Steering Linkages for wear and corrosion

Tyre Condition - inc Spare

Correct Tyre Pressure - inc Spare

Mini Services Braking System Servicing and Repair

Brakes can last for thousand of miles depending on use and regular service.

Modern braking systems use hydraulic links to transfer stopping power.

The brake pedal is attached the Master Cylinder; a fluid filled hydraulic piston.

The enforced contact between the brake pads and brake drum or brake disc increases friction to slow down or stop the vehicle.

The hydraulic brake fluid is a non-compressible liquid so braking pressure is transferred via the brake pipes to the wheels and operates a slave cylinder piston that forces the brake pads against a brake drum or brake disc.

Braking increases hydraulic brake fluid pressure.

Mini Timing Belt or Cambelt

High compression diesel engines are normally interference engines

The toothed belt connecting the engine crankshaft to the camshaft is known as the Cambelt or Timing belt

The Timing Belt synchronizes the camshaft to the crankshaft position ensuring the valves open and close at the correct time in relation to the piston. Some vehicles use a cam chain in place of the belt or a timing gear system instead

Generally Mini belts should be replaced every 60,000 miles or less. So, if you have just bought a secondhand Mini that has 40,000 to 80,000 miles then it is important to know if the timing belt has been replaced or needs replacing. Check the Mini Owner's manual for your model for the recommended changing frequency

Since Mini Timing Belts are hidden inside the engine they tend to be forgotten when purchasing a used Mini

Often it is prudent to replace a combination of items associated with the timing system. Most of the needed Mini parts can be obtained as timing kits containing the appropriate timing components; such as: Mini timing belt
timing belt tensioners
timing belt tensioner idler roller
front lower crank shaft seal
water pump gasket

Timing belts must be replaced at a specified manufacturer's interval. The timing belt should also be inspected regularly and replaced immediately if there is any evidence of cracking or fraying cuts or excessive wear

If the timing belt snaps it will most probably cause serious engine damage. The camshaft stops turning with some of the valves left in the open position. In a Free Running Engine there is enough clearance between a fully open valve and the piston head to avoid serious damage. In an Interference Engine there is no clearance and the engine relies upon accurate timing to keep the valves and piston head separated. With a broken timing belt; the inertia helps the crankshaft to rotate freely forcing the pistons to strike the open valves resulting in damaged valves, pistons, and possibly even damage to the cylinder head

Mini Clutch Operation

Mini Clutch failure often occurs when one or more of the high friction surface materials wears out on the disc. Even when the pressure plate is engaged and a clamping force is applied, there is no longer sufficient friction to transmit power without the clutch slipping. Normally the Mini clutch disc and pressure plate are replaced. Replacing the Mini Clutch is a major operation and it is sometimes advisable to replace a number of items, often supplied as a Mini Clutch kit:-
Mini clutch disc
pressure plate
release bearing
pilot bearing - bushing (when required)
internal Mini clutch slave cylinder

The Mini clutch disc is, not surprisingly, a disc with each side covered in a high friction material. It is designed to engage with the high-friction surfaces of the pressure plate and flywheel. It is also designed to transmit power to theMini transmission system

Disengaging the clutch acts on heavy-duty release springs to isolate the pressure plate so that the disc is no longer pressed against the flywheel

The centre of the clutch disc has a spline pattern that matches splines on the power input shaft of the transmission system

The pressure plate comprises heavy-duty release springs, a metal pressure ring acting as a high friction surface to interact with the clutch disc, a thrust ring (or thrust fingers) for the release bearing, and release levers

When the clutch is dis-engaged the clamping force is removed so the clutch disc spins with the flywheel and no power is transmitted

Engaging the clutch forces the clutch against the flywheel transmitting power from the crankshaft to the transmission shaft

Mini Fuel Injection Systems

EFI - Electronic Fuel Injection
The Mini fuel injection system is controlled by a mini-computer or Electronic Control Unit (ECU) that assimilates data from a series of temperature sensors and oxygen or lambda sensors providing feedback to help optimise fuel efficiency and power under a variety of conditions

LPG Petrol or Diesel Metering
Fuel Injection systems have replaced carburetors for the accurate mixing and delivering of petrol, lpg or diesel fuel in modern Mini vehicles

Mini Re-Mapping Leicester
The Mini ECU can be replaced with a programmable ECU or re-mapped to electronically alter the engine performance characteristics

Mini Fuel Injection
Fuel injection systems mix fuel with just the right amount of air for optimal combustion & energy release in an internal combustion engine

Mini Engine Mapping
The Mini ECU controlling engine performance is pre-programmed with software containing embedded data on engine performance for different combinations of engine speed and acceleration

Mini Maintenance - Oil & Filter Change Leicester

Oil Change Masterclass
Keep a small amount of the engine oil used in your next oil change in a sealed container; then when you check your oil level with the dipstick you can compare the lubricity or lubricating properties of the oil against your fresh oil:- If the oil on the dipstick seems thin compared to your reference oil sample; it may be time to get an oil change to keep your Mini running smoothly

Synthetic Oil Change - Leicester
Modern synthetic oils can last longer than old petroleum based multigrades because they are more inert with a laboratory designed molecular structure and fewer natural catalytic impurities that increase oil breakdown compared to the cheaper engine oils

Moisture Scavengers - Detergents - Acidity Regulators
Moisture scavengers, detergents and acidity regulators prevent all kinds of contaminants degrading and abrading the internal moving surfaces of your Mini engine minimising the effects that water, particles, and fuel combustion residus can have on Mini performance
Once they have absorbed the maximum amount of water and other contaminants; the risk of corrosion and failure in your in your Mini engine increases

Anti Oxidants
Preventing internal engine oxidation in your Mini motor is the job of sacrificial anti-oxidants present in the lubricating oil; Anti oxidants are sacrificed to protect your engine and will eventually be depleted making it necessary to change your oil regularly

Oil Composition
Engine Lubricating Oil is composed of hundreds of chemicals; some can interact chemically, polymerise, oxidise and break down with the extreme conditions of temperature & shear forces pulling the oil molecules apart in your Mini engine thus, changing the lubrication properties.

Oil & Filter Change
A new Mini oil filter and oil change shouldn't need a specialist Mini engineer and is minimal compared to the cost of an Engine Rebuild; with regular maintenance and routine servicing working out cheaper than disaster recover when your Mini engine fails

Oil Change Frequency
The mechanics rule of thumb with traditional multigrade engine oils used to be "change the oil every 3000 miles" but many vehicle manufacturers indicate 5000 to 7000 miles. Initially, follow the Mini recommended oil change guidelines to ensure you validate your warranty.

Mini Exhaust Fitting Leicester

The exhaust pipework helps muffle and deaden the noise from the fuel combustion process

The Mini exhaust system allows poisonous gases from the fuel combustionto vent into the atmoshpere away from the driver and cabin

Explosions from the instantaneous ignition of the compressed fuel and air igniting in the combustion chamber creat a lot of noise that needs to be silenced in the urban environment

Corroded exhaust pipes allow fumes and noise to escape; increasing the risk of poisonous carbon monoxide entering the cabin and significantly increasing noise making detection an easy task