Lookin for some opinions... My little guy has 150k on the clock and I don't know if the crank seal has ever been replaced. I'd imagine yes simply due to the age, but I have no paperwork on it. I'll be getting a new ac compressor/tensioner installed in about a month so my mechanic will be in there anyway. Do I spend the $300 on a PRW pulley and a new seal while he's there, or should I just let it ride if it's not leaking now? What would you do?

 

If you’re already in there just replace it, it only a couple $ part.

Nik

 

Well the seal is $40 from what I've gathered. I assumed I should replace the damper if I'm taking the seal off, but that adds another $250 onto it. Plus tool rental for the crank pulley at $35. $325 project in parts isn't what I'd call a couple dollar part.

 

If it's in the budget I'd do it. With that kind of mileage it's a safe bet it needs to be done. Also the car is already in the shop getting work done in that area of the motor. Makes sense to do it now. If the budget is tight see what the mechanic thinks while he's in there

 

Crank pulleys on R53s are a matter of WHEN is it going to fail, NOT an IF it fails as they are all getting older and closer to failing. We do them as preventive maint all the time as $400 now is much cheaper than a tow plus any other repairs that you need if it munches the belt and throws it into the CV boot, or other pulleys causing more damage.

I would suggest the ATI damper as we have found it to dampen the best. Heck you will notice the car idle smoother after install. And do the seal at the same time.

 

I just had the ATI Super Damper and new crank seal done on my '06. It does idle very smooth and worth a bit of insurance on a part that commonly fails...

 

Do it! If you are doing the pulley, then the seal is a no brainer. Nothing worse than working in that area, putting it all back together and driving it... to find out that a week later, the seal is now leaking. ATI is solid...

Much like when you replace the clutch, you do the rear main seal.

 

They run $4.00 to $40 depending on where you purchase them. I misunderstood, I thought you were already replacing the crank pulley. They all fail at some point, so if you have the money I would go ahead and replace it, I did mine around 300,000, it was starting to die. Think I was lucky to get that much milage out of it.

nik

 

Yes nik, you did! haha I have had much better luck with Honda motors and seals than what I am getting with this Mini motor/setup. 300k and starting to die is some great mileage out of a seal.

 

Where are you finding seals for $4?! Not sure I'd even gamble on that just because of the hassle.

 

I think the seal was like $12 on WMW's site...you know - the best place to buy Mini stuff :P

 

That is exactly how they get you to pay $40 for a $.50 seal. Mini's motor has nothing special, and is just a lowly Brazilian tractor 4 banger. Crank seals have to be the most generic commodity in the auto industry.

I recently helped my neighbour select brake pads for his beige car (Legacy) and it was an education for me how cheap brake pads should be. If you want to save money, buy a beige car. Their parts are no less performance worthy.

 

I'm very familiar with how we overpay, but I've also had more bad experiences than good with seals like Victor Reinz. There most definitely is a quality difference between seals. It's just difficult to decipher the good ones from the bad, so I just deal with the insane mark up.

If someone could find a seal with the same specs I'd be all over it. RealOEM doesn't have any specs listed, neither does pelican.

 

You will not find any specs for this (again) commodity parts. If you go and get a Felpro catalogue, it most likely has one line entry for our Mini which gives the MINI part number, and the Felpro part number. There may or may not be any depiction of what a main crank seal looks like.

Felpro probably has access to BMW's parts drawing under NDA for this $0.50 part as it can be a OEM supplier.

 

There's supposed to be a felpro dealer nearby. I'll check them out.

 

Back when I changed my crankshaft seal (MINI OE p/n 11111485171), I recall noticing that it had the Chrysler pentagon logo on it.

Given the relationship between BMW/Chrysler at the time of the Tritec engine years, and the fact that Dodge Neons also utilized the same engine, there's got to be a Chrysler/Mopar p/n for this seal, and it's most assuredly much less expensive than the one sold by MINI.

 

Was that a "mini" seal? Did you happen to note any part numbers on the one you bought?

 

Yes, it was, and no - I didn't look at the numbers on it, but just now, I did locate an image of it that clearly shows the numbers; looks like 4667198... Have a look.

A quick check online for Mopar p/n 4667198 reveals that the seal can be had for about $7 and change.

I didn't pay the full $40 MINI price for my MINI-branded seal though, as it was included in a box of stuff being sold locally on Craigslist by a former MINI owner that was cleaning out his garage... I acquired a bunch of brand new - in the wrapper OE MINI branded parts; among them, a water pump, crankshaft pulley, belt tensioner, belt, and a host of gaskets o-rings & seals (including the crank seal) for a whopping... you guessed it... $40 total...

 

This is excellent information. Under $8 instead of $40 MINI extortion. It is used in countless Chrysler vehicles, PT Crusher, Neon, Caravan, Sebring etc with 2.0 or 2.4 litre 4 bangers.

 

cross referenced on Autozone pulls up the exact same part. Now we just need to make sure the one that we buy is a quality part and not subpar materials.

 

I cant say I would buy something like this if you are unsure of the quality to save a few bucks.

OEM seals appear to be around $34 plus shipping as noted... OEM/Mini supplier seals can be had for around $10-11 I think. (e.g. Corteco?)

 

Wholeheartedly agree. Is Corteco considered reliable? The whole point isn't to cheap out on seals, but to not pay such a premium. But if our OEM part is the same one that's put into an avenger/caravan/wrangler/eclipse, may as well buy their OEM part at 25% of the price.

All about do it once and do it right, but that doesn't mean pay 4x as much for the same part.

 

http://amzn.to/2zcJ0w5

^^ Sold by Chrysler... $15.

 

You are flip flopping on this seal. While I would like to be safe and go with the MINI seal, saying it is not worth the risk, this is exactly how MINI (and other car makers) gouge you. It takes trail blazers to find alternatives, even it involves some risks. Often its not about the few dollars saved or risks, but principle. I often learn something valuable in these journeys. I can afford to pay MINI full list price but I will not.

 

I am flip flopping?