My 03 MCS will be going under the knife shortly, and I want to take care of as many routine maintenance, or potential problem areas in advance. I just turned 90,000 miles.

The big reason for the maintenance is because my AC crapped out over the summer, and I suspect it's the compressor. So, there's going to be some pretty extensive engine bay disassembly, but a great opportunity to take care of a lot of things. So far, what I've got planned is as follows:

15% Supercharger pulley, belt & tensioner
Thermostat housing, and new thermostat
Radiator hoses and coolant lines (I still need to find a source for these)
Coolant expansion tank
Coolant flush & fill
Plugs & wires
Alta CAI

Again, I'm focusing more on the engine at this time. I know there's other areas such as Control Arm bushings, fuel filter, etc. but that doesn't pertain to this particular excursion. Anybody have any ideas on things I over looked?

So far, aside from the AC, and tires, this has been a VERY low maintenance car.

 

Make sure you check the oil pan gasket, we replace alot of them.

Motor mounts

 

Checked out the oil pan gasket tonight when I was changing the oil, and she's still bone dry. I might pick one up to have on hand. I'll take a look at the motor mounts tomorrow.

Thanks for the PM I replied to ya.

 

consider changing the harmonic balancer as those sometimes come apart and eat up the timing cover as well, not much warning when it happens.

 

Check the crank Sensor for leaks.

Check Crank seal for leaks ( pulley side ) it's a small gasket - big headaches. While there I would install updated version of a crank pulley from an 05/06. My 03 crank pulley was separating at 74K miles.

Drop oil pan, have them put it through the parts washer, it come out like brand new, replace w/new gasket. ( may consider adding a baffled oil pan if you ever decide to run the cones ?)

Lubricate the shifting linkage under the air box.

Check OEM Intercooler couplers for cracks.

Check By pass valve for proper flap operation making sure it closes fully.

Clean throttle body.

Brake system flush - if not done already - but if considerng a brake upgrade kit of anykind in the near future, do it then.

Belt tensioner assembly - check and replace if necessary.

Inspect and/or replace upper engine mount pass side.

Those are a few off the top of my head......

 

Simple overlooked thing....flush the brakes. MINI says to do it every 2 years I think.

 

Artoo just passed 95,000 and is also an R53. When my A/C died over the summer it was the compressor clutch and not the condenser.

Still a big job.

I would also check the upper strut mounts and lower control arm bushings. If they are original, my guess is that they are shot too.

Rich

 

Let's not forget the power steering pump fan assembly. Definitely worth checking and to be safe replacing.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-fires-10.html

 

While you have the belt off, check the idler pulley as well, sometimes the bearings crap out. Fortunately, it's a relatively inexpensive fix. If your PS pump fan is not spinning freely, try removing it, inverting it and manually spin the blades to remove sand and crap that gets in there. Sometimes you don't need to replace it, just clean it out.

 

All great suggestions!

Of course, once I start tearing into it, I plan on fully inspecting everything and will replace other items accordingly. I just want to make sure that I don't miss any routine maintenance items, or things that should be swapped out around the 100k mileage mark while I'm doing this.

The brake stuff will more than likely happen before this overhaul, so I DO plan on that maintenance and didn't include it in my original post.

 

Since we are talking plugs and wires and I am about to do mine, just a brief threadjack if I may, what is the ignition sequence/cylinder order as you are facing the car?
06MCS.

 

check supercharger fluid level and axle boots