So I'm talking to Lazule tonight at Oktobeerfest and we start talking cars and she's really into her MINI! We start talking about car parts and she's now in the zone. So I was thinking how many of you are interested in doing stuff to your cars, but don't have the slightest inkling of how to accomplish it? This can run the gamut from oil changes, brake fluid flushes and intake installations to brake pad changes, installation of cross-drilled rotors, stainless brake lines and sway bar installation.

 

I think a monthly or bi-monthly tech session would be a very cool thing to do!

Anyone else?

 

>>I think a monthly or bi-monthly tech session would be a very cool thing to do!
>>
>>Anyone else?


When? I can't wait!!!!

 

This sounds like something I could use. I'm really interested in learning the proper techniques for waxing my MINI. My slave used to help me with that, but I had to fire him! :smile:

 

count me in. i've gotta learn so i can take care of my mcs personally and not have to always rely on some unknown third party who doesn't give a rip about your car. cause who knows what those guys are really doing to your baby?

 

Looks like there is some interest. Now we need a place to do the tech/DIY sessions and of course, the topic of these sessions.

 

I sure wish that alf/vortek would start working on MINIs to install the aftermarket stuff. I'd also like to learn more and will attend a diy session. tell me where/when.

 

The other aspect of DIY is safety. Safe use of tools, safe use of a jack and not damaging your car. And safety for the mechanic-you and bystanders. Also safety in changing a flat- on the road/street and at night or in traffic- what to do.

Some good ideas brewing here. Good amount of interest.

 

Maybe a session detailing the proper selection of tools, jacks, jack stands... Unfortunately Alf. Voytek and Adolph don't work on MINIs so we are probably on our own on this.

FYI. The DIY sessions I do are usually at one of our member's houses and we all bring our cars and various tools to do the work. We work on our own cars with help from each other. No professional help is available, but we're pretty capable.

 

Count me in. Any wisdom I can absorb from any of our MINI family members is worth my time. Right now I sort of feel like I am relying on the internet for my MINI information. This is, of course, a good resource, but getting together and exchanging knowledge is more like what our grandparents used to do. I think my grandfather used to drive a MINI in Ireland. If it was good enough for Gramps.....

 

Yes indeed! What a great idea. I'd like to learn anything...use of tools, waxing, problem shooting....but most of all I'd like to make my MINI SC sound like Keithy's without the header and $$$ (At least not until I go to Driving School.)

Thanks again for the great fun on Sunday! Really enjoyed the BMW meeting and beer at Oktobeerfest too.

Lazule

 

Actually most of the DIY stuff you mention already exists on MCO, however it is not easy to find. Perhaps (in their spare time) the owners of the site could collate all the DYI articles that have appeared in the past, group them under a new 'Features' section in the left hand navigation column and title the new section DYI.
Your idea is great we just need to get the info in a place where it is easy to find and contribute to.

 

One of the things we could cover is the oil change. I don't think it is toooo difficult to do on the MINI, just gotta get a 36mm shallow socket from what I recall.

That might be a relatively easy way to start things out.

Anyone got a lift at their house? :smile:

-Andy

 

Sears was out of the 36mm so I went to Home Depot and got the socket. It was @ $7.

 

>>One of the things we could cover is the oil change. I don't think it is toooo difficult to do on the MINI, just gotta get a 36mm shallow socket from what I recall.
>>
>>That might be a relatively easy way to start things out.
>>
>>Anyone got a lift at their house? :smile:
>>
>>-Andy

I am going to get a pair of rhino ram for oil change because I "thought" it will be safer (but then what do I know about car? :smile:

 

Rhino ramps are good, but I don't know if it will clear the front bumper of the MINIs. I just use my racing jack and lift the car and secure it with a jack stand.

 

>>Rhino ramps are good, but I don't know if it will clear the front bumper of the MINIs. I just use my racing jack and lift the car and secure it with a jack stand.


Good thing you mention it cause from reading the thread below it gives the impression that there is no problem with the ramps. :smile:

http://www.tech-esq.com/mini/minioilchange.htm

 

Ramps are good, but it is a pain to drive up on them and making sure you don't drive ooff the edge. Seems like Rhino ramps will work with the MINIs, so that makes the job easier.

However, there is another method of changing the oil without crawling under the car. You can use a topside oil changer and use vacuum pressure to remove the oil via the dipstick. I've never done it, but other people have and they say it gets just as much oil as opening the drain plug. The trick is to get your oil up to operating temp and then it'll flow easily.

 

hipilot has volunteered the use of his garage for the first MINI DIY session. He has Sunday, 11/9 available and we would need to move the MINI & a Movie date. We would also need some topics to deal with in this DIY session. Any ideas? What is the interest in the DIY session?

 

The_Beastmaster,

Haven't been able to connect much lately but decided to see what was going on and saw this thread. I too use the oil extractor (from dipstick) with a unit I bought from Griot's garage a few years ago. Works great! Our stuff is still in crates so I did my first oil change in Hawaii without it but it was just a easy (surprised to see the price of the filter at the dealer here though!)....btw, we finally got a place in upper Makakilo so I get all of my toys out of storage soon!

Had to miss the last two meetings but hopefully I can hook-up soon.

Dirk

 

DaKineMINI-
We missed you and hope that you can get settled quickly.
Got a Poker rally in late November that you're invited to.

Just a note I was talking to KeithY and he mentioned he did his own pulley upgrade MiniMania type and has all the tools to do it. He said it isn't that hard to do and takes 2 to 3 hours if you take your time. I told him it would be a good subject for us MCS owners as a future DIY if we cannot get enough people together for a pulley party (still have not got any interest above 7 or and that I would be willing to pay him a rental fee for use of his purchased tools.

 

it's a new year...and i'm ready to soak up some DIY info.

anybody else eager to get started?

how's about oil change?

 

>>it's a new year...and i'm ready to soak up some DIY info.
>>
>>anybody else eager to get started?
>>
>>how's about oil change?
>>

I can pitch in a set of rhino rams for this.

 

I'm up for some DIY sessions too. I have a garage full of tools, air compressor, jacks, stands..etc. I changed my springs and rear swaybar myself and after I get to watch Eric from Helix do my pulley swap next week I know I could handle that too. I have been an engineman in the Navy for 10+ yrs and build engines for my '67 VW that I drag race at HRP so I can definitely lend some help.

 

It was good to see Silversurfer at the last MINI meet at Kakaako.

It reminds me that we have quite a few MINI owners in Hawaii interested in DIY.
We'll need a site, some tools, a task and a MINI to demonstrate it on.
No, not a baseball bat to the windshield- something more useful like a oil change
or adding an intake or rear swaybar, etc.

Ideas?