I'm ready to begin the following work:

Supercharger oil change
17% supercharger pulley
New water pump
New thermostat
New cooling hoses
Replace timing cover gasket (leak), oil pump gaskets and front main seal
Replace crankshaft pulley/balancer
Replace rear main seal (seeping) and probably new clutch


Should I just pull the engine and transmission out as a unit? It seems I'll be bloody near doing this anyway by the time I access all of these components laying on my back under the car.

 

Discussing eventual clutch and TO bearing replacement with my main wrench and he told me he's dropping the whole engine assembly for the job. So, I'd say your assessment is spot on. BTW, he's a top rated BMW/MINI tech.

 

Hi,
I think if I was going to do all that work, I would pull it out. This way, you will get a closer look at everything, including the oil cooler which often leaks all over the place. Make sure to also replace the crank position sensor o-ring, as they always leak and are a pain, when everything it bolted back on!
While it is out, is also the time to replace the low speed fan resistor, in the radiator shroud, as they always die! (I have actually had better luck with the after market ones!)(I have changed many)
Keep us posted and ask away for any help you need!

 

I’ve done everything you list with the exception of the clutch and rear seal, with the car in service mode and radiator off. I didn’t need to,pull the engine for it. If you’re not doing the clutch, then it’ll come down to just that rear seal. Do you want to pull the engine for that, or just figure out how to do it with the engine in place. I get Wayne’s point of view, too. It’s good to be able to look at the thing from all angles and address what needs addressing. But there are risks, too. You’ll dismantle a lot more to pull the engine than if you work in service mode.

Also I replaced the thermostat housing, replaced the o-rings for the crank sensor and dipstick tube, and had to deal with some vacuum tubing, and the bypass valve at the same time. I did about 15 things, so I’m always forgetting what they were. Oh, The green gasket for the supercharger should probably be replaced while you’ve got the thing off. And the majority of this is topside, so you don’t spend too much time under the car.

Its also a so a good time to put on a new belt, but I assume you’ve got that covered with the pulley change. And might as well replace the tensioner and idler pulley, too. It feels like a lot, but you’ll be running like new when you’re done.