Howdy all. Been lurking for a while, but thought it was time to say hello. Every question seems to have already been answered about the first gens, if one takes the time to look for it, and for that I thank all the contributors. The wealth and depth of knowledge here is amazing.

I've been driving SUV's for the past 25 years, with few exceptions. Currently still have two Landcruisers from the Japanese Domestic Market (hence the user name). But with fuel prices the way they are, (esp diesel) I thought it was time to explore another avenue of transport for my DD. Always loved the "new mini" and figured it was high time to get my own. Started looking at the (many available) 2nd gens, but quickly got scared off by HPFP, chain guides, sludge etc. I do all my own work, so I wanted a "simpler" version if possible. Tritec seemed to be the ticket?

Here is the long version of where it started, and where I am as of this morning. Feel free to stop here, since you've likely already done all these fixes yourself.

At the end of July I found a 2004 JCW R53 with 130-something thousand kms (~80k miles), in good shape, and brand new tires. A few small leaks, no working A/C and needed a windshield. For this market, it was fairly priced, if not a little under valued.


Hoping for an easy recharge, I brought it to my A/C guy, who promptly pronounced a dead compressor (coil was engaging, but pressures were out of whack). Thus it began.

While waiting on parts...
-Replaced the non-Harman with an Android Auto Sony unit. (sorry for the glare) Even got the steering wheel controls to talk to it! Woohoo!

-fixed a few clips on the hood duct surround
-touched up the pinchwelds under the door moldings (just a tiny bit of surface rust)
-cleaned out all four sunroof drains
-fixed a non-op oil temp gauge (broken wire) from the aux JCW twin gauge pods
-replaced a broken sunvisor and missing rear headrest with junkyard parts.


Parts finally came... if I was going to do the compressor, better do the condenser. And if I'm that far in... well. You know how it goes. Suddenly I'm in front end service mode, and I'm looking at the side of the block.


There were more (minor) leaks than I thought, so I started cleaning. And cleaning.

At the end of the process, I had done the following:
-supercharger service, including the gaskets, orings, seals, tube, clamps, etc...
-new orings on dipstick, crank sensor, water pump to block flange, etc...
-new water pump
-new thermostat housing (the metal one) and stat/gasket.
-new rad hoses, new heater hose, new (metal) hose joiner/beeder
-power steering reservoir cap
-new A/C compressor, condenser, orings
-plugs (colder NGK 7's), NGK wires
-cabin, and engine air filters
-oil change (Liqui Moly synth)
-gearbox oil change (Redline gl4 equiv)

And since I was down there, did some POR15 on the subframe, and lubed the front caliper sliders.

Whew. Put it all back together, and hallelujah! No more leaks! Went to my a/c guy, we did a pressure test, all good, refilled the system and off I went.

Until... yesterday it felt warm again, and I managed to find little bubbles on the suction side of the rubber A/C hoses. Yes, the one thing I didn't replace in the A/C. Damnit.

So I have to go back in next week and replace the hoses (I'll do both just in case) and maybe replace the low speed fan with a new URO resistor, since it appears to be a matter of *when* it stops working...

But the car runs fast, smooth, handles like a weapon, and best of all is a pile of fun. I hope to be able to give back at some point to a forum that's already been super helpful to a Mini-newbie.

Cheers All,
Phil

 

LOL, welcome to the tribe.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

Welcome, nice to see you are saving a JCW tuning kit car.