Hey there! My R50 (2006) ended up in storage unexpectedly and unavoidably, stayed there for two years. I know this means it needs a lot of servicing, and I'm doing as much as I can myself since the dealership quoted me $800 just to flush fluids and change filters, and none of the mechanics I called would touch a Mini for anything other than an oil change. Most of it doesn't look like much trouble to DIY.

The problem is, there's a quarter tank of gas in the car. I'm terrified to try cranking the car with that old fuel in there, and I can't seem to find any solid information on how to drain the old fuel. People say to disconnect the line and jump the fuel pump, but I think that might be beyond my technical skill, unless it's a lot easier than it sounds.

Is there a way to pump the tank from the filler cap, or is there a screen in there? Is there a drain plug under the car I could get at, or is it accessible from beneath the back seat? Even better, at a quarter tank, could I just fill it with Premium and a can of Seafoam, or would that not dilute it enough?

Any other advice on the subject of pulling the car out of storage would be appreciated. Product recommendations, which services I need to worry about and which I don't, etc. If it matters, the electrics all seem to work, but every single Idiot Light is on.

What do you guys think?

 

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...eplacement.htm

Getting to the pump is pretty easy.

You could (carefully) drain the fuel from there with a syphon pump...

Then refill with 5gal of fresh fuel..

Give it a shot.

That's what we do for contaminated fuel at work,

I don't like running stale fuel into the injectors... Let alone the little bit already in there..

A little wont hurt, but a partial tank may be an issue.

 

Thank you! That does look really easy. I'll try it today.

My city (Atlanta) doesn't offer hazardous waste disposal services, according to the city's government website -- any ideas for what to do with the stale fuel? You think an auto shop might take it, like some do for used oil? I've heard suggestions to dilute it bit by bit back into the tank.

I know I need to change the oil/filter and flush the coolant. The battery has already been replaced. Do you think I should also change the spark plugs, fuel filter, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid?

Sorry in advance if any of my questions seem stupid. I've never done anything more complicated than an oil change myself, and the people at Autozone just ignored my questions and looked to my boyfriend instead.

 

I'd;


Change oil, coolant, brake fluids...

Trans fluid should be ok... Unless somehow it all leaked out.

Spark plugs.. Air filter.. Nah.. They would be ok..

As for the old gas.. Yea.. Getting rid of it is tricky.. First.. Make sure it's stored in gas containers (not just plastic jugs..)... You could mix it with lots of fresh fuel.. For say a lawn mower...?

 

I just changed my brake fluid. I wanted to say that I really liked how easy it was to see when the old fluid was out.

I used Ate Blue, so seeing the color change as it bled out of each caliper was cool. :thumbs up:

 

Also check the tires for flat spotting, cracks, and age if older than 6 years, check manufactor date.
Pump up the spare tire while you are at it.

 

Good idea to change the engine oil and filter. Instructions to accomplish this here:
Changing your MINI's Engine Oil

Why not air filter as well:
MINI Air Filter Change

Brake fluid flush/bleed may be a good idea as well:
Bleeding your MINI's Brakes

Here's a reference of all of our tech articles for your car:
MINI Tech Articles

In reality, better to be safe than sorry so at the very least I'd do the fuel. Keep us updated!

Mark/Pelican Parts

 

Thanks for all the help! I'm out here working on it right now, with help from the boyfriend and a friend. Once we got the fuel pumping it looked and smelled fine, but I took the rest out just in case. Currently have five gallons of premium and a bottle of Techron in it, and we're about to start on the oil and coolant, then brakes.

One more question: the little plastic cap for my coolant reservoir is missing, and has been for some time. Is that a part I can buy, or would I need to buy a while new reservoir to harvest the cap? Thanks!

 

Looks like yes..

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...19&hg=17&fg=30

 

Sure you can purchase the cap separately from the res:

R50 MINI Coolant Res Cap

 

Here you go

http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2006-C...ing/ES1981483/

 

Red Betty lives!

I've gotta say, it was really satisfying working on my own car. Clearly, I didn't respect it enough in the first place. My tiny hands ended up being useful, no one else could get down at the oil filter without busting some knuckles! In the end, we changed the oil and oil filter, flushed the brake fluid and coolant, pumped out the tank and added a bottle of Techron when we refilled, then put some Seafoam through the intake. The tires definitely need to be replaced, they all have bad flat spots and one of them has a serious case of dry rot. No big deal, I'll take it around the corner to the shop next week and have 'em replaced.

Now I just need to figure out why the hell the auxiliary on my after-market sound system isn't working, and why my driver's side door won't open from the outside. :p

I really appreciate all the help you've given me!

 

Great news!

 

I would also suggest you check the cabin air-filter....
Sometimes critters can crawl in and make a nest...
at the very least, knock the bugs/dust out, maybe vac it out...or maybe replace it if it looks really bad...
it is on the passenger side interior.
Congrats on getting the car running!!
PS
I might suggest you pick up a set of wiper blades or refills BEFORE it rains!

 

DEINITELY replacing all the wipers -- when I moved one to clean the windshield, some of the rubber came apart. I'll order new ones in the morning when I order the new coolant reservoir cap. Boyfriend likes the Rain-X brand wiper blades on his Lexus, but I don't think they look as nice as the OEM MINI blades.

I'll go ahead and replace the cabin air filter, too, whether it really looks nasty or not. I feel so bad for leaving the car alone this long. :[ Now I want to pamper it and buy it nice things. Maybe she'd like some bonnet stripes!

 

Glad to hear she's alive and kicking again!