Bringing an R53 back to life
Thread Starter
|
Neutral
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Mi, usa
Bringing an R53 back to life
Hey all,
I'm resurrecting a smashed up 2004 R53 that I got from the auction. It got smacked in the front passenger corner. Wiped out the front suspension, headlight, hood, fender and door. Set off the side curtain airbags and set off the battery disconnect to the starter.
I've always wanted a MINI since they brought them back and planned on buying one in better shape but the Indi blue, Union jack and leather interior was the exact one I had on my wall growing up. 12 year old me was ecstatic when I won the copart auction.
My first goal is to fix the suspension and make sure that the front tire sits where it should. So far I've got the control arm replaced, inner and outer ball joints, rebuilt the strut, replaced the CV axle, replaced the battery, and sourced replacement body panels. Should have the tire back on by the end of the week and see if everything is perfect or figure out if I have something bent/broken that I haven't found yet. I've also got it to start up and let it run for 2 seconds before shutting it off.
From there is a whole list of projects to do and hopefully driving it along the way! See anything that needs to be added, let me know! The goal is to AutoX and the pipe dream is Optima Ultimate Streetcar challenge.
//TODO
Check health of engine/transmission.
Powerflex bushings/engine mounts
Replace shifter bushings
Remove spent airbags and bypass.
Replace body panels (door/fender/hood)
Figure out aftermarket radio
Supercharger oil change
17% pulley/belt/sparkplugs
timing chain service
Chase oil leaks and fix
Dumping grounds for all the useful posts while resurrecting the r53.
I'm resurrecting a smashed up 2004 R53 that I got from the auction. It got smacked in the front passenger corner. Wiped out the front suspension, headlight, hood, fender and door. Set off the side curtain airbags and set off the battery disconnect to the starter.
I've always wanted a MINI since they brought them back and planned on buying one in better shape but the Indi blue, Union jack and leather interior was the exact one I had on my wall growing up. 12 year old me was ecstatic when I won the copart auction.
My first goal is to fix the suspension and make sure that the front tire sits where it should. So far I've got the control arm replaced, inner and outer ball joints, rebuilt the strut, replaced the CV axle, replaced the battery, and sourced replacement body panels. Should have the tire back on by the end of the week and see if everything is perfect or figure out if I have something bent/broken that I haven't found yet. I've also got it to start up and let it run for 2 seconds before shutting it off.
From there is a whole list of projects to do and hopefully driving it along the way! See anything that needs to be added, let me know! The goal is to AutoX and the pipe dream is Optima Ultimate Streetcar challenge.
//TODO
Check health of engine/transmission.
Powerflex bushings/engine mounts
Replace shifter bushings
Remove spent airbags and bypass.
Replace body panels (door/fender/hood)
Figure out aftermarket radio
Supercharger oil change
17% pulley/belt/sparkplugs
timing chain service
Chase oil leaks and fix
Dumping grounds for all the useful posts while resurrecting the r53.
You have quite the project here!
I did a coolant flush on my last car, which has been several years ago now......seems like there is a coolant drain bolt on the back side of the block beneath the exhaust header, but I can’t tell you for sure where it is. I do remember it was a bit tricky to reach and I used a long handled wrench to access it.
On the engine mount, the thing to look for is if there’s a gap between the rubber “pad” and the metal canister portion of the mount. If the rubber is resting on the top of the metal portion, the mount is dead and the fluid has likely leaked out long ago. Here’s a picture of the new mount I installed just a couple of months ago and the way it should look if it’s ok.....notice the gap between the sides of the rubber portion of the mount and the metal part.
I did a coolant flush on my last car, which has been several years ago now......seems like there is a coolant drain bolt on the back side of the block beneath the exhaust header, but I can’t tell you for sure where it is. I do remember it was a bit tricky to reach and I used a long handled wrench to access it.
On the engine mount, the thing to look for is if there’s a gap between the rubber “pad” and the metal canister portion of the mount. If the rubber is resting on the top of the metal portion, the mount is dead and the fluid has likely leaked out long ago. Here’s a picture of the new mount I installed just a couple of months ago and the way it should look if it’s ok.....notice the gap between the sides of the rubber portion of the mount and the metal part.
Last edited by T8or; Sep 17, 2019 at 02:33 PM.
Nice to see it being saved. Rare find with the Union Jack roof. Good luck on the build 
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 971
Likes: 145
From: York PA
Looks like a great project. Good luck. Let us know how it progresses.
I wish I had the time and talent to take on a project like that.
It will be worth it when you are done. MINIs are incredibly fun to drive.
I wish I had the time and talent to take on a project like that.
It will be worth it when you are done. MINIs are incredibly fun to drive.
6th Gear - An Official NAM Greeter
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,990
Likes: 331
From: Southern oregon
Hi and welcome to NAM, T8or!
It is good to see a nice car, saved from the wrecker!
The damage looks all fixable! Keep us posted and look in the gen 1 area, to read, ask questions and help others!
A few more pics, would not hurt either!
It is good to see a nice car, saved from the wrecker!
The damage looks all fixable! Keep us posted and look in the gen 1 area, to read, ask questions and help others!
A few more pics, would not hurt either!
Thread Starter
|
Neutral
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Mi, usa
I've been working on it. I guess this is my personal journal now...
Got the door and fender off the car. Both are trashed but the mounting points are still intact and can replace easily.
The front suspension that was smashed up is replaced and the geometry is still good. New strut, control arm, bushings, half shaft, all the good bits. Moved over to the driver side and immediately notice that the half shaft boot is hitting the control arm.... odd.
Turns out the transmission mount arm is snapped right above the mounting point! The driver side of the engine was just hanging from the other two mounts. Off to ebay! After I removed the old mount I had a bit of a battle getting the new one installed. First I tried to bolt the bracket to the frame and lift the engine/trans into the mount. Bad idea. Second try was to attach the bracket to the transmission and then lift the entire powertrain up to the bolting points. The latter worked much better.
After that the driver side half shaft is replaced and all put back together! The car looks terrible and missing a passenger door. But it's time for a test drive!
Shifter is a bit loose but it'll work from now. Work it over to Reverse, let out the clutch and it moves! Everything is great and everything else is just icing on the cake. Spin it around, put it into first and head down the driveway. After a short hype session I figure out how far I'm willing to push the car and start going down the road.
First gear works great, push in clutch and head for 2nd. Clutch in, lever moves, clutch out.... NOTHING. OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD. Lets try 3rd. 3rd works! I am a GOD, bow to me and my mechanical prowess. Press on to fourth. Nothing, oh no what have I done I've wasted all this time and money... Spin it around and head back home in 3rd gear.
I fiddle around and 2nd, 4th, and 6th are non-responsive. After I climb off the roof and stop regretting every decision I ever made, I order a short shifter kit off of ebay and start replacing bushings in the shift box. That's sitting on the porch right now.
Next step is to check the shift cables and see if they're trashed. Start tightening up the shifter assembly and find the next issue. Maybe I'll put the passenger door back on.
*****Finally a question to anyone who's still reading.***
I found a valve cover gasket leak and I'm going to replace the gasket and spark plug rings. What else should I do while I'm in there?
Got the door and fender off the car. Both are trashed but the mounting points are still intact and can replace easily.
The front suspension that was smashed up is replaced and the geometry is still good. New strut, control arm, bushings, half shaft, all the good bits. Moved over to the driver side and immediately notice that the half shaft boot is hitting the control arm.... odd.
Turns out the transmission mount arm is snapped right above the mounting point! The driver side of the engine was just hanging from the other two mounts. Off to ebay! After I removed the old mount I had a bit of a battle getting the new one installed. First I tried to bolt the bracket to the frame and lift the engine/trans into the mount. Bad idea. Second try was to attach the bracket to the transmission and then lift the entire powertrain up to the bolting points. The latter worked much better.
After that the driver side half shaft is replaced and all put back together! The car looks terrible and missing a passenger door. But it's time for a test drive!
Shifter is a bit loose but it'll work from now. Work it over to Reverse, let out the clutch and it moves! Everything is great and everything else is just icing on the cake. Spin it around, put it into first and head down the driveway. After a short hype session I figure out how far I'm willing to push the car and start going down the road.
First gear works great, push in clutch and head for 2nd. Clutch in, lever moves, clutch out.... NOTHING. OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD. Lets try 3rd. 3rd works! I am a GOD, bow to me and my mechanical prowess. Press on to fourth. Nothing, oh no what have I done I've wasted all this time and money... Spin it around and head back home in 3rd gear.
I fiddle around and 2nd, 4th, and 6th are non-responsive. After I climb off the roof and stop regretting every decision I ever made, I order a short shifter kit off of ebay and start replacing bushings in the shift box. That's sitting on the porch right now.
Next step is to check the shift cables and see if they're trashed. Start tightening up the shifter assembly and find the next issue. Maybe I'll put the passenger door back on.
*****Finally a question to anyone who's still reading.***
I found a valve cover gasket leak and I'm going to replace the gasket and spark plug rings. What else should I do while I'm in there?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post