Bought a 2011 MCS with a leaking oil cooler that will need new gaskets. As most of you know, this is a pretty time-intensive job. I wanted to ask the knowledgeable folks here if there is anything else I should have done while the car is in pieces.

It's a 2011 MCS with 173K miles.

Thank you!

 

you can pretty much do everything like timing chain, water pump, water pipe, thermostat, and finally main seals.

 

Thanks for the reply! Well, if it had 80K miles on it, I would definitely do all of that. But with 173K miles, does it make sense to do all of that?
I figure the problem parts have already been replaced at this point. What do you think?

 

You didn't mention the mileage and i thought this is a donor engine. At any rate, don't assume anything was done UNLESS you can visually see things were replaced and even then you cannot guarantee that it wasn't abused! If you're DIY, I'd replace the mentioned above. At the end of the day, you gotta ask the question, is it a keeper or a flip. Do want something for the long run or something cheap.

 

Original engine, car wasn't that expensive. Probably will keep 1-2yrs. And I'm paying someone to do the work, but he's a home-based mechanic so the labor isn't that bad.

 

Understood. it all comes down to how much you want to spend. but since he'll be working in the front by the oil cooler, i'd recommend doing the turbo oil feed line. check the timing chain kit. if it looks cooked, replace it

 

Thank you very much

 

Were the oil filter housing gaskets still a problem on the N18? Wondering if I should replace that while we're at it.

 

not necessarily. but i would just replace them.

 

Ended up doing both the oil filter housing and oil cooler gaskets. Some schmuck had used silicone to seal them up instead of paying 10 bucks for new gaskets.

It may still have an oil pan gasket leak, but that's an easy job.