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So due to this world wide pandemic & (Boredom) I decided to start a project with my son (15). This was the perfect time for him to learn about engines, how they work , what each part does and how to repair them. My father was a mechanic and I grew up HATING cars, but now it really is my passion. That being said, I found a few cars. The cheapest of which was an 03 Mini S for $500.... After speaking with the owner, sounded like a total rebuild. He claimed the the engine was making a knocking noise, but more importantly he found metal shavings in the oil filter I immediately paid him a visit and bravely offered $300, he accepted without hesitation but I didn't understand why. I expected a counter but nothing.
Later I would be discovering why he just wanted it gone....Here are a few specs.... Produced 4/2003 Clean title, 180K on the clock, on second engine, with tons of documentation.
Here are some pics as I verified his story and what we discovered as we went along. We even decided to make a YOUTUBE series out of it. Check it out!
The add ! First thing I did was pull the oil pan. Rod bearing was completely gone. Also found a broken bolt head at the bottom of the pan. The source was later found.
Such a cool thing to do, I wish my daughter would pull her head out of her *** and get her hands dirty with me. She loves going for rides and thinking she is getting it when she’s 16, turning 14 in 16 days, but won’t come help take care of her. Straight A’s in honors classes makes it hard to be mad at her though. You have one more follower.
Completely understand! Ask her to help with minute tasks. You can't force it. If she's into it.
She'll come around.
I will try it, maybe i will see if she wants to empty the OCC and check the oil, simple enough there. Then maybe i can get her to do the oil change next time.
We knew things were going quickly down hill when you showed all the RTV, the tennis ball green IC, the 'oil cooler delete' mod, and the radio feed splice.
But the best part? No oil filter - that one confirmed this project is going to be a summer long odyssey exploring the kind of epic previous owner ***-hattery rarely seen nowadays in an information age where you actually have to work at being that clueless and idiotic.
Instantly subscribed to this thread and your YT channel.
Congratulations and good luck, really looking forward to watching you guys win!
We knew things were going quickly down hill when you showed all the RTV, the tennis ball green IC, the 'oil cooler delete' mod, and the radio feed splice.
But the best part? No oil filter - that one confirmed this project is going to be a summer long odyssey exploring the kind of epic previous owner ***-hattery rarely seen nowadays in an information age where you actually have to work at being that clueless and idiotic.
🤣🤣. +1
Will that be his first car? If he has a lot of sweat and tears into it, it’s unlikely that he’ll abuse it once he gets behind the wheel.
We knew things were going quickly down hill when you showed all the RTV, the tennis ball green IC, the 'oil cooler delete' mod, and the radio feed splice.
But the best part? No oil filter - that one confirmed this project is going to be a summer long odyssey exploring the kind of epic previous owner ***-hattery rarely seen nowadays in an information age where you actually have to work at being that clueless and idiotic.
Instantly subscribed to this thread and your YT channel.
Congratulations and good luck, really looking forward to watching you guys win!
Thank you!, Man you are right on the money with all the "***-Hattery" It's been a pain in the a$$ just getting parts. Specifically the main bearings.....
New video is getting done this weekend, along with pics on this thread
Had to laugh at the title. We all (and now you) know there is no such thing as a cheap Mini, even if it is free. The bonding time with your son is the best benefit of all and that is priceless.
Build update! CRANK is in and bottom end assembled!
Originally Posted by FatherSonRebuilds
So due to this world wide pandemic & (Boredom) I decided to start a project with my son (15). This was the perfect time for him to learn about engines, how they work , what each part does and how to repair them. My father was a mechanic and I grew up HATING cars, but now it really is my passion. That being said, I found a few cars. The cheapest of which was an 03 Mini S for $500.... After speaking with the owner, sounded like a total rebuild. He claimed the the engine was making a knocking noise, but more importantly he found metal shavings in the oil filter I immediately paid him a visit and bravely offered $300, he accepted without hesitation but I didn't understand why. I expected a counter but nothing.
Later I would be discovering why he just wanted it gone....Here are a few specs.... Produced 4/2003 Clean title, 180K on the clock, on second engine, with tons of documentation.
Here are some pics as I verified his story and what we discovered as we went along. We even decided to make a YOUTUBE series out of it. Check it out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nDBkhXKhXY&t=356s The add ! First thing I did was pull the oil pan. Rod bearing was completely gone. Also found a broken bolt head at the bottom of the pan. The source was later found.
.... After speaking with the owner, sounded like a total rebuild. He claimed the the engine was making a knocking noise, but more importantly he found metal shavings in the oil filter 
I immediately paid him a visit and bravely offered $300, he accepted without hesitation but I didn't understand why. I expected a counter but nothing.
- that one confirmed this project is going to be a summer long odyssey exploring the kind of epic previous owner ***-hattery rarely seen nowadays in an information age where you actually have to work at being that clueless and idiotic. 
