Positioning:
A vital resource for owners and mechanics of the classic Austin Mini Countryman, offering professional-grade repair and maintenance information.
Target Audience:
Austin Mini Countryman owners, classic car enthusiasts, mechanics specializing in vintage British vehicles, restoration shops.
Advantage:
Provides the same comprehensive information used by local service/repair shops, ensuring accuracy and completeness, unlike generic repair guides.
Features:
Electronic format for easy printing of specific sections, instant download for immediate access, detailed diagrams and photos, step-by-step instructions, and comprehensive troubleshooting for electrical systems.
Cost Savings:
Enables owners to perform repairs and maintenance themselves, potentially saving hundreds or thousands of dollars in labor costs.
Covered Systems:
General Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Engine Service/Repair, Transmission Service/Repair, Brake System, Wiring Diagram, Electrical System, Suspension, Periodic Lubrication, Steering, Cooling System, Fuel Injection/Fuel System, Emission System, Heater/Air Conditioning, Engine Control System, Chassis/Body, Restraint System, Interior, Differential/Drive, Axle.
Electrical System Details:
Detailed wiring diagrams provided, covering lighting, ignition, starting, charging systems, instruments, and accessories. Troubleshooting procedures for electrical faults are integrated with diagrams.
Chassis Body Coverage:
Includes maintenance and repair for the unitary construction body, door mechanisms, hinges, body seals, and structural components. Covers rust prevention and repair advice.
Cooling System Coverage:
Details radiator servicing, fan belt adjustment, water pump inspection, thermostat operation, and coolant system flushing procedures.
Steering Coverage:
Focuses on the rack and pinion steering system, including tie rod end replacement, steering column adjustments, and lubrication of steering components.
Included Procedures:
Diagnostic, Repair, Maintenance, Disassembly, Assembly, Cleaning, Reinstalling Procedures, Troubleshooting and electrical service procedures.
Engine Repair Procedures:
Complete engine overhaul, including cylinder head removal and reconditioning, piston and connecting rod installation, crankshaft and bearing service, timing gear adjustment, valve adjustments, and lubrication system servicing.
Transmission Repair Procedures:
Gearbox disassembly and reassembly, synchromesh repair, clutch replacement, final drive unit servicing, and differential maintenance.
Brake System Procedures:
Front and rear brake drum inspection and relining, hydraulic cylinder overhaul (master and wheel cylinders), brake shoe adjustment, and bleeding the brake system.
Suspension Steering Procedures:
Front and rear suspension component inspection, rubber cone renewal, shock absorber replacement, steering rack and linkage adjustment, and wheel alignment procedures.
Troubleshooting Guide:
Comprehensive troubleshooting section with symptom-based diagnosis for common mechanical and electrical issues, guiding users to identify the root cause of problems.
Depth:
Professional Technician Level, covering detailed substeps, notes, cautions, warnings, numbered instructions, illustrations, drawings, photos, and enlarged insets for detailed part examination.
Specification Details:
Includes critical specifications such as engine torque settings, valve clearances, ignition timing, suspension geometry angles, wheel bearing adjustment, and fluid capacities.
General Intervals:
Oil changes typically every 3,000 miles (4,800 km) or 6 months. Regular checks for fluid levels, tire pressure, and brake adjustments are crucial. The manual details specific intervals.
Engine Oil:
API SF/CD rated multi-viscosity oil, typically 20W-50 or 10W-30 depending on climate. Manual will specify exact type and viscosity.
Coolant:
Ethylene glycol-based antifreeze mixed with distilled water (50/50 ratio). Manual confirms type and capacity.
Brake Fluid:
DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid. Manual will specify exact type and capacity.
Gearbox Oil:
Shared with engine oil, but specific recommendations for gearbox longevity might be detailed, often a heavier grade or specific additive.
Common Problems:
Rust in sills, floor pans, and wheel arches. Hydrolastic suspension (if fitted on later models, but this 1962 would have basic rubber cones) can leak. Gearbox synchromesh wear, engine oil leaks from crankshaft seals and gearbox output seals. Carburetor tuning and ignition system maintenance are frequent needs.
Heritage:
Part of the iconic British Motor Corporation (BMC) lineage, inheriting the innovative transverse engine layout from the original Mini.
Evolution:
The Countryman was a longer-wheelbase variant of the Mini, designed to offer more practicality and space, featuring a distinctive 'woodie' style paneling on later models and a longer bodyshell with rear opening doors.
Distinguishing Features Countryman:
Longer wheelbase compared to the standard Mini, distinct rear door configuration offering better access to the rear compartment, often associated with the 'Woody' trim variant for stylistic appeal.
Production Period:
The Mini Countryman (and its sibling, the Morris Mini Traveller) was produced from 1960 to 1969.