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-   -   Dirt Cheap '04 S (https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/mini-mini-builds/334485-dirt-cheap-04-s.html)

rhenry01 12-25-2018 06:55 PM

Dirt Cheap '04 S
 
I was out with a friend who was looking for a used, low-priced pick-up truck to use as a daily driver. We went to see another friend of ours in the used car business. While we were all shooting the breeze I told our sales friend I might be in the market for a MCS that I could pick up on the cheap as a fix'er up'er. Two days later I get a call from the friend and he tells me he just took in an '04 MCS on trade and it's just what I'm looking for. He gave me a run-down on what might be wrong with it.He told me how much money he had in the car and told me I could have it for that. WOW! I couldn't believe what I heard, I had enough money to buy the thing in my wallet!
I got to the lot not expecting much but again I was surprised at the overall condition of the car. Some minor imperfection in the paint, driver's seat that is cracked on the bolsters and it needed a good cleaning. For the price I was paying I know I can haul it to the local Pull-A-Part and make money so I forked over the cash.

So the problems are:
Overheating (top radiator hose doesn't get hot)
Squeaking when the wheels turn (strut mounts are toast)
Oil leak (looks like a rear main seal)
Rock peck in the windscreen (who cares)
Driver's door does not unlock with the remote (but I can hear the mechanism moving)
Tires have tons of tread but are cheap Chinese crap and one has separating belts (they need to go)

Good Points:Engine starts and idles nicely
Clutch feels good
All the gears in the gear box are working
Interior is in really good shape
Has some performance part installed (underdrive pulley, Dinan Air box/filter)
No SELs


So here are the immediate plans. Check the water pump and replace if necessary, replace the thermostat, Change the crank angle sensor seal, drop the oil pan to see if the rear main seal is bad and replace the oil pan gasket. Replace the rear main seal if it needs it. Replace the accessory belt and get some new non-run-flat tires. Think up a name for the car ..... "Lemon Bomb" comes to mind......

This isn't my daily driver so I don't have any specific plans for the car yet but I think I'll be using it more for track day and autocross than commutes to work. We'll see how it goes.

So here are a couple pictures.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...70324866e8.jpg


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...69e2274192.jpg

rhenry01 12-27-2018 03:18 PM

So I cleaned up a bay in the garage and pulled the Mini in. I watched a couple YouTube videos and I'm ready to take a closer look at the water pump. I follow the instructions to put the car in front end service mode. While I'm taking things apart I get a closer look at the bottom of the car. The car has lived it life in the south so there isn't a speck of rust on the underside of the car, WIN! I did get a closer look at the oil leak and it is coming from the passenger side of the engine up at the top of the oil pan gasket. Since it looks to be a heck of a lot easier to change the oil pan gasket than the rear main seal I'm going to try that first. I Googled the part number on the supercharger pulley and it turns out that it is a Dinan piece also. The car has been worked on before because whoever did the servicing didn't put the crush tube front bolts back in. I didn't have any long 8MX1.25 bolts to extend the front end on to so I quit there. Next step is to remove the supercharger to get a good look at the water pump. I figure I'll do an SC oil change while I have the thing off. The Pelican Parts shopping list is starting to grow.
- Strut Mounts
- Crank Sensor O Ring
- Oil Pan Gasket
- Supercharger oil
- Thermostat
- Accessory drive belt
- Various hoses
- Water Pump (maybe)

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...872d119fa8.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...f143866c01.jpg

ThumpR52 12-27-2018 04:06 PM

You don't need to take the SC out to remove the water pump.

1.) Put in Front Service Mode
2.) Do not disconnect AC Condenser, swing to side and support so you cannot kick it.
3.) Pull radiator
4.) Remove the supercharger horn above the throttle body by loosening the clamps at the BPV.
5.) There are two bolts that hold the 2nd Part of the Water Pump to the block, remove these first. You may need a flashlight to see them.
6.) Now remove the water pump.
7.) Be careful of the tubes leading out of the black plastic airduct running from the throttle body to the SC.

Now depending on the miles you may want to remove the SC anyways so you can check the oil.

Oh, and nice looking Gen1.

rhenry01 12-27-2018 06:42 PM


Originally Posted by ThumpR52 (Post 4440002)
You don't need to take the SC out to remove the water pump.

1.) Put in Front Service Mode
2.) Do not disconnect AC Condenser, swing to side and support so you cannot kick it.
3.) Pull radiator
4.) Remove the supercharger horn above the throttle body by loosening the clamps at the BPV.
5.) There are two bolts that hold the 2nd Part of the Water Pump to the block, remove these first. You may need a flashlight to see them.
6.) Now remove the water pump.
7.) Be careful of the tubes leading out of the black plastic airduct running from the throttle body to the SC.

Now depending on the miles you may want to remove the SC anyways so you can check the oil.

Oh, and nice looking Gen1.


Thanks for the info. I want to pull the SC to do the oil change as I don't know when the last real service was done on the car.

rhenry01 12-27-2018 06:58 PM

I got very little work done on the car this evening before life caught up with me. I did manage to take a few pics of the Dinan parts and my organization method. I learned a long time ago not to rely on my memory when it comes to what parts go to what. So now I bag and tag everything I can. If I can't put a bolt back into the boss that it goes into I put it in a baggie and label it with a sharpie. This is a lifesaver when it come to projects that take more than an evening. So here it is, I cut an X in the box with a hobby knife and stick the sharpie in it so it's always where I need it.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...90ddf0cd87.jpg
And a labeled bag:
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...61c95b6d8f.jpg


Here are the Dinan parts:
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...175e8a8d3d.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...057937220a.jpg

rhenry01 12-28-2018 06:47 PM

Worked for a few hours on the car. Pulled the intercooler, the radiator the intake and started on the water pump. Every piece has been a pain to work on. Every hose clamp has been in exactly the wrong position and even the dip stick tube wouldn't clear the supercharger housing, the two tubes on the back of the supercharger intake tube wouldn't pop out. I just stuck with it and tackled each problem. I also spent about twenty minutes looking for a forth bolt on the water pump ...... it doesn't exist (unless I'm crazy,) every video I watched said there are 4 bolts. That's were I left off. I'll try to get back to it tomorrow but the WRX needs attention so I'll be working on that.

One thing I did notice is that the throttlebody is a Dinan piece. Did all these Dinan parts come stock on the car or did the previous owner put them on? I'm wondering if the car has a tune on it, did Dinan make an ECU/tuner? Did you have to send the ECU off for a tune?

Here is a pic of the throttlebody:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...f902f7e4e7.jpg

rhenry01 12-29-2018 09:21 PM

With the upper radiator hose disconnected from the water pump I could look into the pump and see the impeller. I rotated the supercharger pulley while looking at the impeller and the impeller didn't move. I stuck a screwdriver into the water pump and rotated the impeller, it rotated too easily and the supercharger pulley didn't rotate. At this point I think the water pump is shot. Tomorrow I'll get the water pump pulled off, confirm the thing is bad and order a replacement. I hope this is all the mechanical problems sorted out, if so all I need is a new set of tires to get on the road for test drive.

I was looking in my parts cabinet and ran across some VDO gauges and adapters off of my '93 Nissan SER. I'll figure out a place to put them in the mini when I get the time.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...9dd3949f7d.jpg

rhenry01 12-30-2018 10:26 AM

NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...aa7111b0de.jpg
My unheard-of Super Awesome Steal of a Deal just got downgraded to a Really-Really-Good deal. The PTO that drives the water pump is shot. So I have to get the supercharger rebuilt. Has anyone dealt with AutoXCooper or Stigmeier Porting?

ThumpR52 12-30-2018 02:35 PM

Could go with a rebuilt, AutoXCooper was noted in a another recent post as they were doing some warranty work of a unit they rebuilt, or, you could try a used unit from either a yard, ebay or even a You Pull-it place.

So how much did you pay for the car?

You can tell us as will not tell your wife . . . . . . .

rhenry01 12-30-2018 04:05 PM

Yea, I thought about a used unit from somewhere but since I'm going to be keeping it I want the peace of mind. AutoXCooper offers a 2 year unlimited mile warranty (implied quality?) and I want to keep this level of repair to a minimum. I paid $618 for the car all-in knowing that it was a pig in a poke but I wasn't expecting a supercharger rebuild, maybe a short block with the overheating. So while I'm waiting for the supercharger I'll tidy up the interior and paint. I've got a bunch of plastic clips coming in to replace broken/missing ones and I have a huge order for hoses, belt and seals that should keep me busy for a while.

ECSTuning 12-31-2018 08:35 AM

Nice find with the dinan stuff, all i can think of is go with the JCW superchager, it on sale and we have them in stock. It comes with the JCW pulley so you can keep that or just swap to the other pulley. So it also has the updated Teflon coated rotors.
Then you just need the correct serpentine belt for your set up. If you decide to go this route otherwise you have the rebuild.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...w/11657556981/

Keep up the great work like seeing this rebuild. On my R52 i finally just replaced the A/C compressor at 283K. Dang thing locked up solid with rust.

rhenry01 12-31-2018 06:47 PM


Originally Posted by ECSTuning (Post 4440765)
Nice find with the dinan stuff, all i can think of is go with the JCW superchager, it on sale and we have them in stock. It comes with the JCW pulley so you can keep that or just swap to the other pulley. So it also has the updated Teflon coated rotors.
Then you just need the correct serpentine belt for your set up. If you decide to go this route otherwise you have the rebuild.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...w/11657556981/

Keep up the great work like seeing this rebuild. On my R52 i finally just replaced the A/C compressor at 283K. Dang thing locked up solid with rust.


I'll be calling sales on the 2nd to get more info. Thanks!!

ECSTuning 01-02-2019 06:43 AM

You are welcome. :)

rhenry01 01-06-2019 02:38 PM

AutoXCooper.com and ECSTuning.com to the rescue!
 
I want to give a shout out to AutoXCooper.com, I emailed them and I spoke to Dustin about the many options I had when rebuilding/replacing my supercharger. Dustin was very straight forward with his recommendation, which was to buy a new supercharger (given the price I could get one at) rather than rebuild my existing unit. If I were going to race the MINI full time or if the cost of the supercharger wasn't where it was at I would have had Dustin rebuild it. It isn't very often that someone in a business will tell you not to buy their product, that says a lot about Dustin and AutoXCooper.com! That being said, I placed an order for the new supercharger with ECSTuning. I have been recovering form a terrible cold this week but as soon as I do some more work on the car I'll post up some pictures.Let the fun continue!!

rhenry01 01-07-2019 06:21 PM

10 pounds of crud
 
Man, a couple years of neglecting oil leaks and you get about a pound of oily crud built up on the front of the engine.I scrubbed at it with Simple Green, Scrubbing Bubbles and warm soapy water, none of them were working well. I broke out a set of plastic scrappers and started scraping the bulk of the crud off and then I went out and bought a can of Gunk engine degreaser ..... that did the trick! The Gunk cut right through the crud and I helped it out by scrubbing the crud off various stiff bristle brushes. The front of the engine is now acceptable and I can get on with the oil pan gasket replacement.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...542e61fe11.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...3984d6c997.jpg

valvashon 01-07-2019 06:32 PM


Originally Posted by rhenry01 (Post 4439632)
Driver's door does not unlock with the remote (but I can hear the mechanism moving)

This is probably the door lock actuator. These will fail and fool you- they still make noise but don't actually have enough power to lock or unlock, whatever it is trying to do. Get a new one from MINI, the replacement ones are better built than the OEM ones. This isn't the place to cheap out and get a used one.

I don't work on the actuators (although there are some how-to-fix-them threads out there) but I do work on keys- what shape are they in?

Val


ECSTuning 01-08-2019 05:28 AM

Yep, Talks about it here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-t-unlock.html

I had mine do this like it was weak on the actuator.

cooper48 01-08-2019 06:02 AM

While you have it torn down, I recommend that you also replace the front engine seal (behind the crankshaft pulley). It's a common oil leak on MINIs. See YouTube for ModMini who details an easy way to remove it using a screw. Replacement is easy and cheap.

rhenry01 01-08-2019 08:15 PM

Thanks for the recommendations, I'll look into it.

rhenry01 01-09-2019 06:27 PM

New Part Goodness!!
 
Got a package from ECS Tuning!! Ordered Sunday Evening, arrived early on Wednesday.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...c78054f381.jpg

ECSTuning 01-10-2019 05:45 AM

Awesome, here comes that SC whine.

aunknown 01-10-2019 11:41 AM


Originally Posted by rhenry01 (Post 4442828)
Got a package from ECS Tuning!! Ordered Sunday Evening, arrived early on Wednesday.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...c78054f381.jpg

That's sexy!

dmath 01-10-2019 06:00 PM

Congratulations! Good looking car and a lot of fun projects. Great score on the new supercharger.

Have you considered white covers for the rally lights, to match the mirror covers and roof?

rhenry01 01-10-2019 07:04 PM


Originally Posted by dmath (Post 4443125)
Congratulations! Good looking car and a lot of fun projects. Great score on the new supercharger.

Have you considered white covers for the rally lights, to match the mirror covers and roof?

Didn't even think about it but you are right. If I run across a pair in the u-pull-it yard I'll snag them.

rhenry01 01-15-2019 04:06 PM

TDC - No, not top-dead-center!
 
TDC - Too Damn Cold! it's in the 30's and it's just TDC to work in an unheated garage. I think later in the week it's supposed to warm up a bit.

cooper48 01-15-2019 05:21 PM

Grab a couple of 500-watt halogen work lights. They not only light up the night, they also provide heat.

pnwR53S 01-16-2019 05:23 AM

So you are jumping head first into $2019 Challenge? I saw that in the magazine's Feb edition with a R50 photo, and thought to myself my Desire's blood is too rich :roll: to qualify base cost wise. Good for you to go for it. It should be a lot of fun.

iwashmycar 01-16-2019 05:42 AM

Propane top heater also does wonders for a garage. I use on in a detached block garage. Warms it up to T-shirt temperature in not much time.

dmath 01-16-2019 05:52 AM


Originally Posted by iwashmycar (Post 4444424)
Propane top heater also does wonders for a garage. I use on in a detached block garage. Warms it up to T-shirt temperature in not much time.

How well insulated is your garage? My walls are insulated but the ceiling and garage doors are not. I’ve been disappointed in my attempts to warm it up. Am trying to decide how much to invest in insulation.

iwashmycar 01-16-2019 09:00 AM


Originally Posted by dmath (Post 4444429)


How well insulated is your garage? My walls are insulated but the ceiling and garage doors are not. I’ve been disappointed in my attempts to warm it up. Am trying to decide how much to invest in insulation.


ZERO

CMU walls, open roof rafters with gable vents, and a non-insulated garage door. I heat that thing up with a standard propane top heater in 15 degree weather just fine. Sure, laying on the ground under the car can be a bit cool, but its really not bad at all.

I use one of these, which I think I happened to score at WalMart a time ago for $40.
https://www.target.com/p/dyna-glo-40k-lp-360-176-tank-top-heater/-/A-17410382?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&f ndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Patio%2BGarden%2BShopping&adg roup=SC_Patio%2BGarden_Top+Performers&LID=70000000 1170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9014885&gcl src=aw.ds&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&ds_rl=124697 8&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA _Patio+Garden+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Patio+Garden_Top %20Performers&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&dev ice=c&location=9014885&gclid=CjwKCAiAyfvhBRBsEiwAe 2t_i5ujo_70Nqp34CTu3mJeMoR3-XtUao71Ls9qeicW_0zrJbu_vNx76BoCbm8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc= aw.ds

If you are going to insulate, just have them blow a R13 up in the ceiling...I think much more is a waste of money in a garage.

dmath 01-16-2019 12:43 PM

iwashmycar - thanks. I have a kerosene heater but it doesn't have nearly the effect I'd hoped for. After the heater was on for hours on Sunday, the temp made it to 49 -- the outside temperature was around 30. The heater is 24K BTU but the garage is oversized 3 car with a 10 ft ceiling. Probably too much volume for too little heater. I don't want to rush into a solution so I'll probably research it and address it when the weather is warmer.

rhenry01 01-17-2019 12:00 PM


Originally Posted by pnwR53S (Post 4444417)
So you are jumping head first into $2019 Challenge? I saw that in the magazine's Feb edition with a R50 photo, and thought to myself my Desire's blood is too rich :roll: to qualify base cost wise. Good for you to go for it. It should be a lot of fun.

Yea, I have $1976 in the car with the new JCW Supercharger. I need a about $250 more to get on the road. I think between the supercharger core, front driving lights and the Mini Fini hitch I should be able to meet that budget. then it's just a matter of sorting the car for the different events. But like GRM says, it's about the fun, if I go down there and do well it will just be icing on the cake. I think it will be a blast.

rhenry01 01-17-2019 12:06 PM


Originally Posted by dmath (Post 4444429)


How well insulated is your garage? My walls are insulated but the ceiling and garage doors are not. I’ve been disappointed in my attempts to warm it up. Am trying to decide how much to invest in insulation.

My walls are finished (maybe insulated) and there is insulation in the ceiling (living space above the garage.) The doors are just thin aluminum, I could insulate it with some foam board and it would probably help. I had a kerosene heater but where I live you can forget finding any kerosene. I have a propane catalytic heater but I have to let it run for a couple of hours to get the temperature up so I can use that on the weekends but not during the week. I'll keep banging at it until I get the work done, just maybe not as fast as I like.

rhenry01 01-17-2019 12:15 PM


Originally Posted by iwashmycar (Post 4444471)
ZERO

CMU walls, open roof rafters with gable vents, and a non-insulated garage door. I heat that thing up with a standard propane top heater in 15 degree weather just fine. Sure, laying on the ground under the car can be a bit cool, but its really not bad at all.

If you are going to insulate, just have them blow a R13 up in the ceiling...I think much more is a waste of money in a garage.

I have two layers of cardboard on the floor, not only does it keep you off the cold concrete it's a heck of a lot easier on your body than the concrete!! Lots of Amazon boxes to the rescue!

rhenry01 04-15-2019 06:23 PM

OK, I'm back. In January I had a little health thing going and while it didn't take long to recover I have been really adverse to cold. Well it's finally warmed up and I'm back in the garage.Last weekend I pulled the oil pan and replaced the gasket. A lot of other stuff has to be pulled off to get pan pulled off. But it went well and I cleaned everything up as I went.

It's Easter weekend this weekend and I have plans with the grandkids so no Mini work but I have to order a JCW pulley puller so I can swap the pulley on the new supercharger to the Dinan pulley. I'll post up some pics when I have something interesting to share!

It's good to be back!

rhenry01 08-12-2019 03:17 PM

Well, the Mini has sat for the better part of 4 months. I have finally finished other projects that were getting in the way. I've had a friend's long term project WRX at my house for about 3 years and we finally got it to a point that we can trailer it back to his house for the rest of the work. I looked at my trailer and it was much worse for the wear, to the point that I didn't trust it to haul his car back home. So what to do? Move the trailer to the top of the project list. I pulled the rotten decking off the trailer and replaced it with some new wood. While the wood was off I used rust restorer to treat the rust then put a new coat of paint on the frame. I replaced all the lights and rewired the entire trailer. I also have a truck box on the trailer that holds my aux. battery, winch and towing stuff so I took the opportunity to bang out a few dents and throw a fresh coat of flat black paint on it. Doesn't seem like a lot of work but all of it had to be done outside and here in the MidSouth summer thunderstorms are a real thing. It rained on and off for about a month and a half. But I finally got it done and now the WRX is going home.

After the trailer was complete I turned my attention to the Mini. I pulled the old supercharger off which gives me access to a lot of the other maintenance items I want to do and the first thing I did was to replace the thermostat. Didn't take long all. That was as far as I got as it was late Sunday evening and that was all I had time for. Today I am inventorying all the new parts I have and getting a order together for the things I need, supercharger gasket, bypass valve to intake hose ($28.00 for a 4" hose, Anyone know where to get one cheap?) and few other gaskets to start putting things back on the car. WoooHooo!! Puting the car BACK together!!

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...2db14d695c.jpg
Trailer with a new deck
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...bd0cb479ed.jpg
New Deck
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...b3144b6d84.jpg
Back of the winch box
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...600f6f3e79.jpg
Front of the winch box

ECSTuning 08-13-2019 06:58 AM

Nice!

rhenry01 08-22-2019 06:34 PM

So, I pulled the old supercharger off to access the damage that was done to the gears in the PTO. The cause of this failure, as you probably know is the seal on the input shaft goes bad and the supercharger oil leaks out thus allowing the large gear to grind the smaller gear into a fine powder. I don't know if the root cause is the seal wears out or if lack of supercharger maintenance (i.e. oil changes) causes the seal to go bad. I do know in the future I will be keeping a close eye on the supercharger oil and changing it often.

Here are the pics of the carnage!!

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...a5c57fe939.jpg
All that debris is ground up gears.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...a191bc76fd.jpg
The smaller gear has been worn in the center.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...b5cdaf29f3.jpg
The big gear is worn on the edges.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...5daea82a6d.jpg
Ground gear!

Cenla Mini 08-22-2019 08:20 PM

Wow...that's something else. My 06 MCS has just under 48K on it now...I'm thinking I'll do a winter project to inspect the supercharger and service it.

rhenry01 08-23-2019 07:51 PM


Originally Posted by Cenla Mini (Post 4489556)
Wow...that's something else. My 06 MCS has just under 48K on it now...I'm thinking I'll do a winter project to inspect the supercharger and service it.

You're probably fine but an oil change would be a great idea.


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