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R50/53 Seth's '03 R53 - Maintenance/Mod Log

  #251  
Old 10-09-2017, 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by pnwR53S
I am almost 100% positive the ECU does not know if the compressor is not running. Its turning on/off of the coil is just a dumb output. In the auto AC, there is a dedicated controller for climate control, but still as far as the clutch is concern, it is still dumb. The only thing the ECU know is when the compressor head pressure is too high. While the pressure switch can fail, it is very rare.
In that case, I'm still confused. If the low speed fan was the only thing in the system not working, then the A/C should theoretically cool just fine at highway speeds where the fan isn't needed for airflow over the condenser. But my A/C stays at ambient temperature, no matter the speed. Just seems weird that both the fan and the compressor would fail at the same time if they are not logically linked by the ECM.
 
  #252  
Old 10-09-2017, 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by sevin
Is there a sensor to detect if the compressor is running? I’d think it would be odd for both my fan and compressor to stop working at the same time unless they are connected somehow. As in, if the compressor isn’t working, would the fan still run?
I thought the fan was controlled by the ac high side pressure, indirectly related to the ac clutch.

THe ac clutch, just look at it, you can see if it's working, turn the ac on max and the clutch should be spinning, if it's not spinning it could be a pressure issue or that stupid clutch
 
  #253  
Old 10-09-2017, 03:18 PM
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AC systems functions as follows; low speed fan switches on at 221 and the high speed switches on at 234. When the AC is on, the low speed switches on when the system pressure is at 116 PSI with the high speed switching on when the system pressure reaches 261 PSI. The high speed fan will run without the AC being on if the set point of 234 is reached. The cut off is 7 F below the cut in.
 
  #254  
Old 10-09-2017, 04:59 PM
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Diagnosed it tonight. The compressor clutch was not turning. Put power to the connector at the compressor and got nothing. I’m deciding if I want to replace the entire compressor or just the coil. The refrigerant has already been evacuated because I wanted to check the desiccant, which was black at the bottom. I’ll at least be replacing the desiccant and the coil, but I feel like I might as well do the compressor since I’ll need to recharge the system anyway and the desiccant seemed rather dirty for only a few months of use, maybe indicative of a compressor failure.
 
  #255  
Old 10-09-2017, 05:14 PM
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There are coils on eBay for $22. Coil it is.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-A-...0AAOSwtsVZjJkU
 
  #256  
Old 10-09-2017, 05:17 PM
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Modmini has a good video on replacing the coil. I did not have buy the special chain puller that he had, was able to get the o-ring off with needle nose.
 
  #257  
Old 10-09-2017, 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted by r53coop
Modmini has a good video on replacing the coil. I did not have buy the special chain puller that he had, was able to get the o-ring off with needle nose.
Yeah, I watched that the other day. I think I'll still buy the little retainer tool he used, I'm sure it will have uses on other snap rings.

Anybody know anywhere to get a desiccant bag?
 
  #258  
Old 10-09-2017, 05:22 PM
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I sent mine back, but now that I think about it might be able to use on the rear brakes to turn the piston. I used a needle nose visegrip.
 
  #259  
Old 10-09-2017, 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by r53coop
I sent mine back, but now that I think about it might be able to use on the rear brakes to turn the piston. I used a needle nose visegrip.
Wrong thread?
 
  #260  
Old 10-10-2017, 02:45 AM
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No, the chain link tool that Modmini used, I sent back.
 
  #261  
Old 10-10-2017, 04:13 AM
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Originally Posted by r53coop
No, the chain link tool that Modmini used, I sent back.
Oh, I thought you were referring to the snap ring tool he used when you said “chain link tool” earlier. He doesn’t use a chain link tool for the compressor, he uses that to help take off supercharger pulleys.
 
  #262  
Old 10-10-2017, 04:25 AM
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I purchased that snap ring tool he used, gave up trying to get it to work used picks instead
 
  #263  
Old 10-10-2017, 04:57 AM
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Originally Posted by mega72
I purchased that snap ring tool he used, gave up trying to get it to work used picks instead
It didn’t work? It looked like a pretty simple mechanism.
 
  #264  
Old 10-10-2017, 05:09 AM
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I was thinking the tool was a chain link spreader and no you cannot use it on the pulley.
 
  #265  
Old 10-10-2017, 05:11 AM
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Nope, a break retainer spring tool. Could have used it when I helped my brother with his brakes on a Dodge.
 
  #266  
Old 10-10-2017, 05:13 AM
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Off topic but I have never been able to figure out how Modmini can wear those thick gloves. As big as my hands are, I don't need anything more between me and the parts I am working on.
 
  #267  
Old 10-10-2017, 05:52 AM
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Originally Posted by sevin
It didn’t work? It looked like a pretty simple mechanism.
tips were too big to fit the snap ring, I ground them down then it's very very tight and I just gave up, not that hard with pics
 
  #268  
Old 10-10-2017, 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by sevin
Oh, I thought you were referring to the snap ring tool he used when you said “chain link tool” earlier. He doesn’t use a chain link tool for the compressor, he uses that to help take off supercharger pulleys.
I still don't own a chainlink tool or one of the newer belt loop tool. I used a big worm gear hose clamp for the SC pulley remover. It may not be necessary bit I just feel more confident that the Cravenspeed remover would not pop out.

I tried the same cotton gloves Modmini wears and hated their slipperiness with metal tools. Wearing those gloves is very Japanese. I go back to Nitrile gloves. With certain job that is not so hard on the skins I prefer being all naked.
 
  #269  
Old 10-11-2017, 03:41 AM
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Originally Posted by pnwR53S
I still don't own a chainlink tool or one of the newer belt loop tool. I used a big worm gear hose clamp for the SC pulley remover. It may not be necessary bit I just feel more confident that the Cravenspeed remover would not pop out.

I tried the same cotton gloves Modmini wears and hated their slipperiness with metal tools. Wearing those gloves is very Japanese. I go back to Nitrile gloves. With certain job that is not so hard on the skins I prefer being all naked.
Hey, there may be children here!!!!!
 
  #270  
Old 10-21-2017, 10:03 PM
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I did the Clutch and Wavetrac LSD on my car. Here are a few things I want to mention that might help you.

DO NOOOOOOT use ANY type of RTV sealant on the case. Use Anaerobic sealant.

https://www.permatex.com/products/ga...-gasket-maker/

Anaerobic sealant is specifically designed to seal trans cases and such as it's designed to cure in the LACK of Oxygen. RTV will not cure properly and potentially cause a leak. It would royally suck to split the case again to fix this.

But more importantly the diff bearing preload is FIXED in the case. RTV sealant can change the clearances a bit because it can expand the two cases farther apart and cause the bearings to fail due to the loose tolerances.

Bottom line: Use Anaerobic sealant.

When you are changing the races. One side of the case will have a shim under the race. DO NOT LOOSE THAT. That shim provides the proper preload to the diff.

Also, use a brass hammer and punch when hitting things. Like hitting the ring gear off of the old Diff and popping out the old Bearing races.

This gearbox is DIRT easy to change the diff on since you don't have to remove any of the other gears to get to it. You just split the case and lift up the diff assembly.
 
  #271  
Old 10-22-2017, 09:57 AM
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not the only way

Originally Posted by ONEBUNCHMIN
I did the Clutch and Wavetrac LSD on my car. Here are a few things I want to mention that might help you.

DO NOOOOOOT use ANY type of RTV sealant on the case. Use Anaerobic sealant.

https://www.permatex.com/products/ga...-gasket-maker/

Anaerobic sealant is specifically designed to seal trans cases and such as it's designed to cure in the LACK of Oxygen. RTV will not cure properly and potentially cause a leak. It would royally suck to split the case again to fix this.

But more importantly the diff bearing preload is FIXED in the case. RTV sealant can change the clearances a bit because it can expand the two cases farther apart and cause the bearings to fail due to the loose tolerances.

Bottom line: Use Anaerobic sealant.

When you are changing the races. One side of the case will have a shim under the race. DO NOT LOOSE THAT. That shim provides the proper preload to the diff.

Also, use a brass hammer and punch when hitting things. Like hitting the ring gear off of the old Diff and popping out the old Bearing races.

This gearbox is DIRT easy to change the diff on since you don't have to remove any of the other gears to get to it. You just split the case and lift up the diff assembly.
The truth is there is more than one way to do this job right. Your's is just one. Permatex makes a dazzling array of products and many will do a perfectly fine job. I used their RTV gearbox gasket maker and it cured just fine and I don't lose sleep over it. I have never heard of anyone have a leaky R53 gearbox because of using RTV based sealant.

I used a common hammer to knock out the ring gear. A brass hammer is ill-suited for this job as it is like hitting it with a damper as a punch, which is not what you want. The key is to be careful not to strike on the gear teeth.

I am curious as to your experience with the Wevetrac LSD, especially on track.
 
  #272  
Old 10-22-2017, 10:10 AM
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Yeah, I have a read a lot of seemingly conflicting information regarding sealants and I've come to the conclusion that a majority of them will probably work just fine. I have Permatex Ultra Gray waiting to do the trans seal when I get around to it.
 
  #273  
Old 10-22-2017, 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by sevin
Yeah, I have a read a lot of seemingly conflicting information regarding sealants and I've come to the conclusion that a majority of them will probably work just fine. I have Permatex Ultra Gray waiting to do the trans seal when I get around to it.
Exactly my point. Always be very skeptical with these companies. Just follow the money. They want you to buy a specially formulated product for every freaking job you do and very good at double talk. I will wager their anaerobic (or aerobic ) latest greatest specially formulated sealant is also RTV based. I have enough of speciality automotive chemicals that are ticking away at the shelf life clock and the less I buy the better.
 
  #274  
Old 10-22-2017, 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by pnwR53S
The truth is there is more than one way to do this job right. Your's is just one. Permatex makes a dazzling array of products and many will do a perfectly fine job. I used their RTV gearbox gasket maker and it cured just fine and I don't lose sleep over it. I have never heard of anyone have a leaky R53 gearbox because of using RTV based sealant.

I used a common hammer to knock out the ring gear. A brass hammer is ill-suited for this job as it is like hitting it with a damper as a punch, which is not what you want. The key is to be careful not to strike on the gear teeth.

I am curious as to your experience with the Wevetrac LSD, especially on track.
Hopefully it won't leak. And hopefully the clearances won't change.

The brass hammer is not like a rubber mallet, it won't bounce and lose the force applied to the ring gear. You can use a regular hammer if you want, I just wanted to be extra safe AND avoid the gear teeth. It worked for me. A couple of whacks is all it took.

I've never been on the track with this car but I'll post this excerpt from my build thread.

First impressions: Err meh guurd

Traction is the key word today.

Yes, I'll be like everyone else who reviews an LSD after having an open diff. Gushing.

Now keep in mind that I replaced a lot of other stuff to go along with this, including the clutch, rebuild subframe, ect.

The diff: In the wet I have about as much traction with the LSD as I did in the dry with the open diff, keep in mind it's easy to break traction even with the LSD, but now I have to actually "make" it break traction, as with before it would just loose traction on it's own with little effort.

In the dry it's scary how much more traction I have. I have never driven a FWD car with an LSD. Never. So at first it was weird (and a Bit scary :p) because I used the throttle to steer the car under heavy acceleration and through understeer. Now the car rotates fiercely through the corner if you floor it. So now I have to ease up on the throttle and relearn how to drive this car again to get used to the new driving dynamics.

Overall I can clearly say that this Diff was 100% worth it and would recommend it. (What a surprise)


Goodluck with the project.
 
  #275  
Old 11-26-2017, 01:52 PM
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Update time!

The MINI is being retired from daily duty. I have been encouraged to get a motorcycle by a coworker for the past few months, and I found a good deal on a great bike last week.





It's a 2008 Suzuki SV650A with ~5100 miles. Owned by an older lady whose husband owned several bikes. I assume they didn't ride this one very much. It's in great shape, but the tires are original. New Michelin's and an oil change will be the first items on the ticket.

I love my MINI and I'm hoping I can use the bike to keep miles off it and give me more opportunity to work on it. I think the bike will also help me appreciate the MINI more, and worry less about trying to make it go faster.
 

Last edited by sevin; 11-26-2017 at 02:01 PM.

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