Finished my leaky OFH repair and resolved my ABS entire dash christmas tree warning (it was literally just low on brake fluid...)
Threw a chinesium catless downpipe and 41mm turbo on it with a used/good turbine housing "while I was in there." Turbo smoked and something sounded exhaust leak-y for the first bit but seems to be fine now.
I think my boost issue was the WG flapper, still fluctuates a bit but seems to have improved substantially.
Still didn't fix my AC because I bought the wrong part number pipe. Ziptied the old one on for now and have the correct one on-hand.



Shitty picture to prove I do drive this car...



I also sold off the old R108s and the basically new Michelin X-Ice Snow tires because the R108s didn't hold air anyway and I figured I wasn't going to winter drive this, but here we are.

 

...is not better than the first time

Today, I had to apologize to my Mini.
After an overnight snowfall, for whatever reason, I decided to take one of my least desired routes into work this morning - I-40 East.
Traffic was moving at a steady 65mph. Until suddenly the vehicle, 6-7 car lengths in front of me, swerved erratically into the adjacent lane dodging tools falling out of a POS pickup truck.
My Mini was not so lucky. Although I could see (what appeared to be) a large chrome object bouncing off the asphalt right into my path at 65mph; I failed to react fast enough to jog out of it's way.






I was able to identify the object as a socket as it made impact with my windshield - I estimate; a 1-3/4" - 40mm, 1/2" drive

Constant windswept sand, flying pebbles, rocks and all sorts of odd road debris...and now tools...
This would be the second windshield I'll have to replace in just 8months after moving here.
Like I'd mentioned before; The desert environment is hard on cars out here.

 

@Here2Go Ugh! That’s bad. Good it wasn’t worse. Hope it goes well getting that fixed.

FWIW - My recollection is that an “unsecured load” is a $10K fine where i live. Doesn’t matter what it is.

 

Thanks for the well wishes. Ironically, I had my first windsheild cracked due to a rock kicked up by a semi traveling down the same interstate - but in the opposite direction; I-40W.
Had that windshield replaced @ Safelite = $380 (generic).
Locals out here insist that was way over priced and should only cost $150 at an independent.

As far as regulated/enforced laws out here?
Ha! - Cracked winshield? = No problem!, No windsheild?= No problem!, No bumper?= No problem!, No doors? = No problem!, Unsecured load? (Normal) No problem!, No license plate?= No problem!, Expired tag?= No problem!, Speeding? = only a problem if they feel like going after you, No insurance? = problem!!!.
ABQ severely lacks enough police to enforce many laws constantly broken out here.
Most people (out here) can't afford or don't pay the fines anyway. I can imagine the amount of warrants out there.

 

Man, that stinks. Glad it wasn't worse!

 

Not Today - but last week I kept getting an SES light on the tach. After a quick scan came back with a: 0456 - DME: Tank Venting _"Very Minor leak".
I was hoping it was something simple and not the (PIA) charcoal canister ($$) buried behind the rear wheel arch. I do a lot of driving which equals a lot of times I fill my tank.
Thinking that; "This is the desert and everything is covered in dirt..."
I decided to try the simple approach rather than risking a coronary and swabbed any dirt/debris from seal in the gas cap with a little 70% isopropyl.




Just one of a couple of swabs to clean the dirt and grime from the seal.

I've put on a little under 300 miles since then and the fault has not come back.

Ahhh- Yes...the simpler the better.

 

Replaced the driver's side Xenon with a good used one from Allmag. Just need to check the aim. My LED H7 high beam bulb dropped right in, and everything works - leveling, height adjustment screw, etc. I roughed it in against the carport roof for now, but will need to park near a wall in a dark place to make sure the aim is ok.

 

Ended up getting a 2.5" to 3" stainless pipe coupler, and am using that for a tip, since it is short enough to be tucked in a bit better. May slant cut it and possibly bake it to achieve a nice color....

Much less likely to bark a shin walking around the boot....

 

^^^Interesting. Looks pretty good/better from the photo.
Just curious; is it possible to cut down a rear section of that Borla tip (make it shorter), to have it tucked in further as you prefer?

 

Slant cut, brushed, and baked at 500°F for 3 hours:


Need to get a pic in daylight, as the camera flash pales the bronze-ish color....

 

I sent the Borla back, as it was not even possible to slide it on the pipe with their clamp, and it stuck out 2 inches further than this DynoMax tip, because Borla did not include the back part where the clamp is in their 6.5" length measurement. To shorten it is impossible with the tools I have, and likely difficult to do cleanly even with the right tools. I should have gotten the coupler/adaptor pipe first and skipped straight to success, I guess....

Daylight photo:


It's difficult to capture it with the camera. IRL, the bottom is the same color as the top, but the photo makes it look like there is a gradient of color....

 

I've posted this before....
Although the paint is not perfect, For several years I've been having to see this rather (to me,), unsightly discoloration/oxidation blemish on the hood of my 22y/o R53.
Over the years I've tried a variety of off the self paint correction and polishing compounds with little improvement. Yes- I'd even used Arm&Hammer deodorant which worked surprisingly well.
Today, I decided to try something different that I felt confident would work - 3,000 grit block sander and small piece of paraffin wax...
To cut to the chase - here is the result... Left image: BEFORE - Right image: AFTER

Here is simply what I did:


I gently scrubbed the effected area using a small manicure's 3,000 grit sanding/polishing block and a little soapy water...


Afterwards I rubbed a small piece of paraffin wax over the scuffed area and allowed the heat of the sun to melt the wax before buffing...


Impressive to say the least but not surprised...

Carnuba is generally accepted as the automobile paint wax of choice. Seems to me that paraffin can really bring out an incredibly beautiful shine. Although parafffin has been highly discouraged to use on automotive paint.
Only time will tell how long it will last out here under the relentless desert sun and sand.

 

During the holiday season, do to the absence of interstate traffic, I often like to take a long relaxing cruise - No GPS; destination unknown...





New years eve morning, I found myself 150 or so miles from the city. As usual, I like to stop and take in some beautiful scenery and pop the hood on my Mini whilst giving it a well deserved rest.

Checking things over in the engine compartment, I happened to move the PCV valve hose connected to my catch can and wound up breaking a plastic (brittle) hose connection. I keep alot of odds and ends in the boot for just such an occasion.
Unfortunately, I didn't have anything much suitable (proper size) to join the 2wo hoses together for a quick and dirty repair. I began walking, scouring along side of the highway hoping to find anything tossed along the roadway that might make a suitable connection to bridge the hoses together, Eventually I came upon a small 5" cylindrical plastic canister used to package individual marijuana joints. Although I personally don't partake, I was happy to find anything that I could use to cobble things back together and get back on the road...





Despite being New Years Eve, I had to cut my journey short and head back to "the world" in order to get to a salvage yard to make a proper repair.
I was lucky enough to make it to a U-Pull & Pay an hour before they closed and managed to cut a PCV connection hose from an junked R53...


It may not be pretty but...A suitable proper fix in my opinion.

On a side note:
I often find it rather amusing/the expression on the teller's face when I walk up to the window to pay for small items (e.g: small clips, small wiring, odds and ends that are NA...).
On a couple occasions, with a perplexed look on their face, some have said, "You know, you could have just pocketed it like most people do. It's for that reason we charge an admission fee".
Most times they just wave me on with a big grin on their face.

 

Wherabouts is this? It looks more or less Southwest-ish....

A high quality roaside repair....

I really need to find a wrecking yard near here that has some first-gen new MINIs....

 

I was about 80-100 miles North West of Las Cruses, NM off I-25 S on some desolate road that lead out into the desert.
I don't recall reading a road sign; but it was beautiful out there.
Yeah - I agree.
Whilst Allmag is awesome in quality - IMO, nothing beats the hands on experience and price exploring a local U-Pull It salvage yard.

 

Yeah, I went through Northern NM once on my way back from the east. Pretty country there....

Some things are not exactly cost effective to ship from JAX to PHX, too....

 

I hope you can find a U-Pull out there "in your neck of the desert". If so, be sure to sign up to become a member. You'll get free admission and text alerts everytime an 1st Gen R5× hits the yard.
The same U-Pull It salvage yard company I signed up with back East (Atlanta), has a salvage yard out here in ABQ too - so I sometimes get a few perks/discounts. One nice thing I scored was a pair of facelift projector headlights for $30 + change...and they didn't even care about the ballasts (some salvage yards try to include the ballasts for an additional $70-$100/ea).

 

Ok, it’s not what I did to my R53 MINI today, but over the last three days. Thank goodness I rented a lift!

I think the R53 is roughly at 136k, though not sure.

Replaced exhaust manifold with NAM purchased takeoff.
Replaced starter (starter worked, but exhaust manifold was out, so…)
Replaced control arms
Replaced control arm bushings
Replaced inner ball joints
Replaced outer ball joints
Replaced sway bar links
Replaced tie rods
Replaced driver side CV axle.
Replaced oil filter housing assembly, including oil cooler and all associated oil filter housing gaskets (of course).

Drained engine and transmission oil. Tomorrow I fill both. Redline MTL is going in the six speed Getrag.

I wish I had thought to do the timing chain tensioner now too…

 

With the wife's help we installed a little vinyl graphics today...

 

This morning, now @122,230 miles, I took the opportunity to do my first oil & filter change for the new year.
Cleaned the PCV, drained the catch can (1.5oz oil deposit), Dropped in a bottle of Techron (@1/4 tank) and unleashed the Mini for a 50mi spirited round trip across the desert before filling up again at Chevron.

 

you are the second person in a week who i’ve heard uses Techron at 1/4 tank. I’d always heard fill with Top Tier (no Chevrons any where near me) and add Techron.

Do you run Techron at 1/4 tank periodically?

 

Since new (2003), I've always run Chevron 93. Up until 2012, I only added a bottle of Techron maybe once or twice a year upon topping off the tank. But for the last 13years, I've been adding Techron about 3-4 times a year. Always @1/4 tank and run it through (spirited driving) for about 25-50miles before topping off the tank.
Now that I'm out here in the SW, (strange to me), There are not as many Chevron stations out here (by comparison to the SE). I have to drive out of my way sometimes to find one. Sadly, top tier out here is only 91. Not to mention Chevron being the most expensive gas... "really grinds my gears".
I can honestly say that my Mini has always run great by doing this routine along with general maint.

 

Sent him on a piggyback ride....


Backed into a parking spot at the gas station, heard a "pop" when I took it out of reverse, and suddenly my shifter "dresses left".... Had to limp home with 3rd and 4th gear on surface streets. Shifter cable popped off, as it turns out. New ones to be installed....

 

Picked up some roof rack cross bars. Never mind the saltiness, its winter up here...

 

Not done yet, but the wheels are now in motion:


What's in the bag, er..., box, dad?

Aero bumper replica for first-gen R53....