Another new guy. 2005 R53 S. Bought it from a neighbor for cheap. It had a bad idler pulley, threw the belt and sat for a year. Put a new battery in and even after sitting it started right up. Currently apart for supercharger service, 15% pulley, water pump, T-Stat and housing, along with new hoses. Alternator was stuck so new one of those along with a belt tensioner, belt and colder plugs. While everything is apart a knock sensor and a crank position sensor. Oh, also rotors and pads along with parking brake cables.
So cheap isn't quite so cheap anymore with taking care of all the P.O.'s deferred maintenance. Waiting on a few hoses so a little cleaning up was on order. Foaming aluminum cleaner and a fine wire brush. Waiting on some Por-15 for the block. Some re-assembly required!

Anything else I should be looking at while it's all apart?
Thanks,
rob

 

Cleaned up SC with a new water pump waiting on some hoses. And I forgot the new axles...

rob

 

Guess I should add a "before surgery" shot. Not bad for $500. After $2500 in parts it's not really a $500 Mini more like a $3000 Mini. But, nice wheels, almost new tires and the interior is very nice. And it should be pretty squared away.

Having some mini fun!

 

Welcome to NAM, well bought and nicely done taking care of everything!

 

Welcome! Nice find!

 

Ha! As an old guy of 68, "Welcome to Nam" had a funny ring to it....

robj

 

Other items... Maybe ball joints and LCA's, you're most of the way there already. Give the crank pulley a good look/thought.

 

Tygurscoop,

Thanks!
It had a torn CV boot and with 155K on the clock I bought 2 new axles. When that's apart I think it will be a good chance to examine the joints and the control arms. It was pretty gently driven, [owner was my next door neighbor] but time does take it's toll.

I looked pretty close at the crank seal as there was some greasy deposit towards the rear of there on the block. Nothing in the front though. I thought that might be as it was blowing towards the rear, then I found the torn CV joint boot and the same greasy deposits on the frame, etc.. in a circle around that so I think it was from that, not the crank seal but I'll take a closer look.

Good suggestions!
robj

 

I'd do the crank sensor oring while in there.

Also save your original axles as they are the best and rebuildable as that is what we do in our shop.

 

I got a new CPS, but thanks for the tip on saving the old axles. I probably would not have saved them.
Thanks,
rob

 

Hi and welcome to NAM! A bit late!
Congrats on your great find!
05 and 06 R53's are the best years, of the gen 1's!
Nice work too!

 

To demonstrate how new I was to Mini's, I mis labeled the subject as R56.... Duh, R53.

See, I'm learning.
robj