Hi everyone,
Going to look at my first mini and I can't wait. I have printed off a check list of things to look for but I have a picture of the engine and just wondering if everything look normal. Please let me know if it looks normal. The first thing I am going to buy in the strut tower braces and then probably the PS reservoir.(I think that is what the yellowish bottle is called)
Car has 142000KM on it.

 

For starters, get under it and look for leaks of motor oil, coolant, and power steering fluid.

 

It has an aftermarket intake, that I doubt adds any power. Ask seller if he has stock airbox. The strut towers look somewhat mushroomed because the bolts do not point up straight. It generally looks kind of dirty so the maintenance is ???. Ask for records.

If the air intake is changed likely other things are too. Ask for a list.

The yellowish bottle is the coolant overflow. It is stock, so likely about to split and leak. Check for coolant residue.

Definitely look for oil underneath. Check the operation of the power steering fan. Listen for noises from the supercharger. Check the exhaust for rust. Test the lower control arm bushings for excess play and noise.

I would get the car on a hoist and pay a pro to have a thorough look.

 

Have you check out the below thread? It deals with buying a used Gen1 MINI.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...gen1-mini.html

 

I second the recommendation to change the coolant overflow reservoir. Get a stainless steel unit, do it once, and be done.

I'd also change the hot air intake. I installed the DDMWorks intake as one of the first mods & have been very happy with it, 8+ years running.

 

I spoke out of turn. LOL My reply was based on a vehicle with 142k miles, not 142k KM.

comment deleted.

 

Bring an OBD II scan tool.
You should ask why the intake hose was left open and exposed.

 

That is not exposed. It is K&H Typhoon by design.

 

Ah! Thanks for the correction!

 

thanks for all of the info guys. I did look at that thread and the whole engine was clean with nothing leaking at all. The car was in a garage for the last month and bit and not driven and the concrete floor was dry and bare. I took my dad with me who was a mechanic and he said the car was in amazing shape. I plan on getting the reservoir and the strut defenders to start and replace all fluids.
Does the car need the chs11S fluid or will this work? Link
The Power Steering Pump has a whine but was replaced recently as well as the PS fan. Could it be air in the fluid or a bad pump?

 

Use the Pentosin; why look elsewhere?

 

Ok. I have to order it online cause I don't have access to it locally.

 

does anyone have a link or a part number for the coolant reservoir?

 

If you just type in R53 Coolant Tank, should see all sorts of options. Many of the vendors here have both the plastic oem style and the metal aftermarket types. Click the link at the bottom of my signature below. With you being in NS, will not be able to access Way Motors.

 

Is this what I am looking for

 

I have read posts where the caps on some the Asian made tanks are defective. With NAM you will get as many opinions as there are members.

When I bought my vert, I removed the existing plastic tank, replaced it with another plastic tank and carry the original with me on longer trips. I have seen one split after my friend's belt broke and the car overheated.

 

Is there anyway to replace the battery in the keyfob or atleast a way to charge it? It is totally dead.
Sorry for all of the questions but this site is my goto for all things mini.

 

Rather have you ask a question than not question at all. Use the below at your own risk, I did and no issues but . . . . .

 

I didn't have the answer until this thread. It involves plying open the key fob and replace it that involves soldering. It was not intended to be serviceable, evidently. I need to go swap the keys so it get charged from being used. I should set up a calendar reminder for this. I like the product instructions like one for smoke detector and fire extinguisher, that you should check them monthly. Check your tyre pressure weekly. I have 6 vehicles and that is not counting the bicycles and other things with inflated tyres, and that is 24 tyres. I am slaved to my material goods.

Here is a video for your Mini.


For what's worth, when the key is in the ignition, it must get charged inductively, like the fancy wireless charging for phones which discovered this technology 2 decades too late.

 

Thanks for the video guys. I have ordered 2 new batteries. Once installed the key while in the ignition is supposed to charge them correct?

 

I did not solder mine, used a thicker battery and the pressure is enough for a good solid contact. I used plastic epoxy glue.

 

I have no issues soldering so I'll go that route. Thanks for all of the help so far.

 

The battery may just need to be charged up. I have one key that works well still, but it needs a long road trip to really get charged. The other key has a sticky button that drains the battery after one use.

My power steering whines a bit too, even after a fluid change. Normal?
Check the operation of the main cooling fan. The resister often fails and you end up with no low speed fan. There is a big thread on this.

 

I drove the car 4 hours to get it home. Would it need more than that?? I also read I can put it in an electric toothbrush holder and that will charge it?? haven't tried yet.The PS fan was just replaced as well so I don't think it will be that but I'll will check.

 

I also read I can put it in an electric toothbrush holder and that will charge it??

It is worth a try. That was what I was referring to that the fancy phone wireless charging hype is a few decades too late to the party. Might just save you the risk of prying apart the key fob.