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#mikeschu -- sorry, the decals were snapped up right away. See the post above re: Firestorm Graphix -- I believe I paid $57 shipped via their online site.
The badge is screen-printed black on an aluminum plate. It shouldn't be that difficult to replicate for a graphic artist with a desktop publishing program.
Last edited by cooper48; May 7, 2019 at 10:54 AM.
Reason: additional text
I've never had a personalized license plate before so I said to myself, "Self, if you can get a certain plate go ahead and spend the $150 annually even though it's a ridiculous price for a plate. So I log on to the state site and lo and behold: poorer but happy!
MC40 owners: I recently replaced the oil pan plug on my MC40 with the proper sensor plug but my oil temp gauge is still not working. I haven't discounted that the gauge may not be functional since it wasn't working when I bought the car (but it did not have the correct oil pan plug at that time). In an attempt to get it working, I found a loose blue wire (no end connector) hanging near the power steering pump and made the assumption that it was the oil gauge sensor wire. I confirmed it was the same color blue by looking at the connection on the back of the oil temp gauge. I added a connector and plugged it into the oil drain plug but the gauge is still not working. Do any of you having a functioning oil temp gauge and, if so, is that wire blue? Also, does anyone have an idea of how a single stranded wire transfers the temp to the gauge itself?
I have replaced the connector on mine previously and it was a stranded wire not solid single core. A solid core would still work but is more susceptible to breaking. Maybe re run the wire?
MC40 owners: I recently replaced the oil pan plug on my MC40 with the proper sensor plug but my oil temp gauge is still not working. I haven't discounted that the gauge may not be functional since it wasn't working when I bought the car (but it did not have the correct oil pan plug at that time). In an attempt to get it working, I found a loose blue wire (no end connector) hanging near the power steering pump and made the assumption that it was the oil gauge sensor wire. I confirmed it was the same color blue by looking at the connection on the back of the oil temp gauge. I added a connector and plugged it into the oil drain plug but the gauge is still not working. Do any of you having a functioning oil temp gauge and, if so, is that wire blue? Also, does anyone have an idea of how a single stranded wire transfers the temp to the gauge itself?
Where did you find the oil pan temperature sensor? The original ones manufactured by VDO have been gone for quite some time.
We've dismantled a few MINI's with the factory gauge set up and I believe the wire at the pan is blue.
Yes. I believe it is blue also and it has a black tubing on it for heat protection since near the exhaust. It should have been a multi-strand wire and not solid core though. I have rarely seen solid core used in automotive (at least not since the 70's) because solid core is easily fatigued and will break with movement. If you can do it I would pull a new wire from the gauge to the sensor and solder the female spade connector to the wire so it doesn't corrode.
Not sure if this is a dumb question, even feasible or already answered in this thread (looked through most of it) but I'm assuming there's no way to find out what number my MC40 is? From what I've read here it doesn't sound like the VIN is connected in any way. My dad did register on the fan site back in the day but I don't think it's still active. Since I'm changing the appearance of the car and working on it bit by bit, the only thing really connecting it to an MC40 anymore is the floor mats and the shift ****.
You're correct, nothing in the VIN will tell you. That's because the MC40 was a dealer-added package to a slick-top, Chili Red Cooper S. I have my original window sticker and it was an $8,000 option.
The blue wire I found near the power steering pump is a blue stranded wire (same color that exits the gauge). I attached a female connector and hooked it to the new oil drain plug sensor but I'm only receiving a minimal reading on the oil temp gauge. Next step is to remove the gauge and find an electronics repair shop to determine if I'm just spinning my wheels. I'm hoping that it can be repaired so that I can keep my MC40 as stock as possible. Thanks for the reply.
Thank you for sending this over! I've looked at this one. It is quite a bit shorter than what was originally used with the VDO gauge set from MINI, also has less threads so it doesn't completely thread through the oil drain. I never installed it because of that.
Let me know if yours reads correctly once installed!
This VDO oil plug/sensor fits nicely and seals perfectly. I would think that even with a shorter sensor that it would work since that sensor is immersed in oil. I will admit, though, that the gauge is not presently reading but I'm also not sure the gauge even works since the sensor was missing when I bought the MC40. My next step is to remove the oil temp gauge and have it tested and/or repaired. I'll update this post when I finish that process.
This VDO oil plug/sensor fits nicely and seals perfectly. I would think that even with a shorter sensor that it would work since that sensor is immersed in oil. I will admit, though, that the gauge is not presently reading but I'm also not sure the gauge even works since the sensor was missing when I bought the MC40. My next step is to remove the oil temp gauge and have it tested and/or repaired. I'll update this post when I finish that process.
Also check your engine grounds. The VDO sensor is resistance based and if you have poor grounding at the sensor threads it can read wrong. It's also possible that it's just the wrong sensor for the gauge and a different resistance sensor will be the ticket.
This is the gauge that you would need if it comes to replacing it. It's the same spin-lock style gauge that fits the OEM Aux gauge panel. I have a few here right now. I'm trying to finalize the correct sensor before I put together the package set which would include both gauges, sensor and a carbon fiber gauge panel that is molded exactly as the OEM was.
Sadly, we no longer have our MC40. It may be time to part with our MC40 collectibles to someone who can enjoy them. Have two MC40 models, made in England. Both are in excellent, never removed from box, condition. One of the boxes shows some wear. The one in the very good box $50, the one in the fair box $45.
