Hello all! I am a college student attending Arizona State University for Automotive engineering, but currently residing and working in Washington for the summer. I recently picked up a 2002 Mini Cooper to accompany my 1973 Toyota Celica.

Car is nothing too special -137k miles, very tight handling and drivetrain. Near mint interior, and exterior has minor dings and body fitment issues. I currently have the oil light on and plan on running a mechanical pressure test, then work from there. This weekend I also plan on changing the oil, filter (and make sure the retention tabs are on there!) , pressure sender/switch if needed, then if it still appears to be on, I will work on the pump.

As far as future plans post engine work, I would like to eventually run different suspension/wheels, exhaust, GP spoiler, and work on a second engine to swap in. I have access to a full machine shop and would love to do something, but that's with time.

 

Welcome to NAM. There is an immense amount of information on your generation of car here between the threads, the members and the vendors.

Stick or auto?

 

5 speed, Thanks! I look forwards to the community.

-Tanner

 

Hi and welcome to the NAM family!
You may want to look at this article on early gen one oil issues:
http://new.minimania.com/MINI__02_04...roblem___Hints

It is a good idea to check this!

 

Just changed the oil today. The filter has the reinforced insides, however it was installed backwards so the spring was just sitting inside the filter, not compressing it to the roof of the cap. I also put teflon tape on the pressure sensor, and between those two and changing the oil light went away! I can only hope that it stays away, too.

-Tanner

 

Sounds like a great build coming.

 

Welcome.


Hope to see some great pics as your work get completed.


Motor On!

 

I can only hope! Thanks!

You know it! I do a lot of car photography so I will for sure be doing some on the mini!


I will start a new thread for my build, however I will end it with the latest update:
-compression results are, from 1-4, is 170,165,160, and 135.

Yikes. I'm gonna do them again tomorrow, because I was in a bit of a rush and didn't get a chance to do a double check.

The oil light is also still on because it turns out I forgot to plug in the sensor. I'm going to pull the sensor tomorrow and replace it.


-Tanner