Is the bottom of the crankcase on the 2003 MCS a seperate detachable pan? I have found a crack in mine and am curious about the steps for the repair. The front lower leading edge of the crankcase is where the crack has appeared. I think my car was run up over something by another family member. Any and all information will be appreciated.

 

I assume you mean the oil pan is cracked. If it was your crankcase, then the engine is junk. Yet you didn't say anything about an oil leak. Anyway...

The oil pan is removable, and it is an involved job. I did it once, and I do not look forward to ever doing it again. The total job took sevral hours. If you have that Bentley manual, as all MINI owners should, the steps are outlined there in good detail. I lent my manual to someone, but it should be back in my hands tomorrow evening.

Basically, you need to remove the front bumper cover and the bumper. Then slide the MFE forward on some long bolts. You will need to remove the drive belt. The a/c compressor is then detached and temporarily wired to the MFE. Next the power steering fan is removed. After that, the lower engine mount is removed. Then two or three bolts from the oil pan to the transmission are removed. The rest of the oil pan bolts need to be removed in a set order, so that when the last few are undone, the pan does not get bent wrong or something. Those bolts are retorqued in the reverse order.

There are more details, and torque values, but as I said, my Bentley manual is lent out at the moment. Tomorrow evening I will have it back and get you more information.

If a new oil pan is needed, I would recomend this, unless you are handy with any number of welding techniques. I didn't replace my pan, I just had to inspect the connecting rod bearings after my oil cooler sprung a leak. Don't forget a new gasket.

 

Yes there is oil leaking through the cracks. From the perspective of the bottom of the engine it was hard to tell if it was just a "pan" or if the leading edge was part of the "case". from the looks of the pan in the link you provided, it seems to be just the pan. How much more involved will it be to replace the clutch while taking it apart to this extent? Thanks.

 

the clutch is a completely different job. the oil pan is a 2 in the 1-10 difficulty category, the clutch is a 10 on top of job you have already done to remove the oil pan.

you will have to remove the front suspension, axles, steering rack, front undercarriage(mispelled?) then the trans and support the engine somehow.
:impatient

 

Torque to 30NM and in a pattern similar to a head gasket, from the center and working you way out.

 

A parts search indicates stock pan is $220 (less than I would have guessed),
and $38 for the gasket.