962 replies to this topic

[megamini_jb]

Thanks Harry and Mab

As much as I think the lowered/slight stance looks great on MINis, mines going to be staying pretty much standard, well apart from the sportier model bumpers and skirts.

What is your MINI again Mab?

[mab01uk]

Thanks Harry and Mab

As much as I think the lowered/slight stance looks great on MINis, mines going to be staying pretty much standard, well apart from the sportier model bumpers and skirts.

What is your MINI again Mab?

 

Heres my 2002 R50 MINI One next to the Alec Issigonis Way road sign near the Oxford MINI Plant with S bumpers, side skirts, silver roof, chrome mirror caps, sidevents, Halo side lights, rear spoiler, 17" S-spokes with Goodyear F1 non runflats and part leather sports seats added. If you want better than Cooper performance just add this Lohen 'Bluefin' superchip 130bhp upgrade in link below but it could put more strain on an early type gearbox if you use it to full potential. Mine is really a 'daily driver' so I have opted to leave engine as standard for now.

http://www.lohen.co....il.php?prod=LO1

 

If you want a spacesaver spare wheel but don't have one fitted here's how:-

http://www.mini2.com...pare-wheel.html

Edited by mab01uk, 22 November 2014 - 11:28 AM.

[megamini_jb]

Your mini looks great Mab!

Done my first proper trip with mine today. Very happy :)

All I have noticed is that the rad expansion tank? Bubbles. I was stationery and thought what on earth is that funny noise so pulled over and it was bubbling like a goodun

[HarrysMini]

It is a very common fault on early MINIs for the expansion tank to split and leak at the seam along the middle, I have just replaced the one on our R53 and it was doing exactly as you are describing. Does anything leak from yours? 

 

Mab, your MINI looks excellent 

Edited by HarrysMini, 22 November 2014 - 03:11 PM.

[megamini_jb]

Hi Harry, I haven't really checked to see if it was eaking. Only noticed the bubbling. Will do tomorrow and let you know. Temp was all good anyway

[MattMiniS96]

 

My 'practical' little car ;) Loving the power that the S has :)

[mab01uk]

All I have noticed is that the rad expansion tank? Bubbles. I was stationery and thought what on earth is that funny noise so pulled over and it was bubbling like a goodun

 

As said this is quite common and can be a split plastic tank. If not has the cooling system been worked on recently as MINI's are a bit of a pain to bleed all the air out the system.......many mechanics don't have the time or patience to do it properly so the air bubbles around until it escapes.....while this is happening keep a close eye on temp gauge and coolant level as it can drop suddenly and cause overheating. Also bear in mind modern cars like the MINI have temperature gauges that stay on normal over a wide range of temps (unlike classic cars) but go up very quickly when the coolant level drops. Most cars today don't even have a temp gauge fitted!

 

Coolant Expansion Tank Replacement

http://www.pelicanpa...Replacement.htm

Edited by mab01uk, 22 November 2014 - 07:19 PM.

[megamini_jb]

Thanks for your post Mab.

I'm not too sure whether the cooling system has been touched. I have, well as far as i was told, every receipt and paperwork, but no mention of anything like that and the previous owner was a female owner, so I don't think she would of gone messing with anything like that, and just the original male owner before that.

Hopefully is just split tank then as that doesn't seem too bad?...

As long as it's still ok to use for. Will start to look into it tomorrow anyway. Will I be able to spot it leaking, or will I have to just go by the level?

Apart from that though, loving MINI ownership already. It feels so high compared to my civics and classic mini though!!

Thank you, Jamie

Edited by megamini_jb, 22 November 2014 - 08:01 PM.

[mab01uk]

The R50 Mini One/Cooper doesn't have a pressurised header tank (unlike R53 Cooper S), the pressure cap is on the engine fill point, looking at the pressure cap rubber seal if there is evidence of coolant leakage this can also be the cause, as the cap releases the pressure so the water bubbles up into the unpressurised expansion tank.

 

It can be hard to spot a leak on the expansion tank unless there is evidence of staining or residue on the outside. Keep an eye on things over the next few days and try to establish if & when the bubbling occurs, make sure the level remains between min and max and does not drop below min or air will get in. Also see if the radiator fan ever cuts in, the fan has 2 speeds high and low and sometimes the low stage speed resistor fails which means the coolant gets too hot before the high speed fan cuts in at higher temperatures. If your MINI has air con the fan usually cuts in more often when the a/c is on.

 

NOTE: Most MINI's without air-conditioning only have a single speed radiator fan.

Edited by mab01uk, 22 November 2014 - 11:15 PM.

[megamini_jb]

Doesn't look to be leaking. I'll keep an eye on the level and temp gauge over next few days though.

I'm going to change the oil tomorrow with Castrol Edge 0w-30 :)

Edit: actually I might go with MTF94 after reading one of Mabs post on mini2. I'm not too sure whether still has its original 'midland' gearbox.

Edited by megamini_jb, 23 November 2014 - 06:04 PM.

[HarrysMini]

Lucky you have a temp gauge! Our R53 came with the terrible factory fitted sat nav system so all we've got is a light that comes on when the damage is already done!

[megamini_jb]

Really?! Only thing I'd of liked and expected on mine was the extra information on the little LCD on the rev counter as all I get is the outside temp, but while searching, I found another of Mabs great posts with links to retrofit it as I'd like the miles range. For them to not put a temp gauge in the ones like yours is daft though, that's a must!

Edited by megamini_jb, 23 November 2014 - 06:26 PM.

[mab01uk]

Doesn't look to be leaking. I'll keep an eye on the level and temp gauge over next few days though.

I'm going to change the oil tomorrow with Castrol Edge 0w-30 :)

Edit: actually I might go with MTF94 after reading one of Mabs post on mini2. I'm not too sure whether still has its original 'midland' gearbox.

 

Try to use a genuine BMW oil filter, some of the pattern ones are very poor quality and cause the oil light to come on when idling. You also need a suitable 36mm socket for undoing the filter, its a very tight fit down back of engine. 0w-30 Castrol Edge is very good but expensive, watch out at Halfords as there is also a 0w-30 Castrol Edge labeled for Volvos which has different additives.

Guide with photos:-

http://www.pelicanpa...-Oil_Change.htm

 

The gearbox oil MTF94 is worth doing (2 litres required) but quite hard to find, my local Land Rover dealer stocks it (and Eurocarparts I think). Remove the gearbox fill plug first, it can sometimes be tight.......if you do the drain plug first and then can't get fill plug out you have no oil in gearbox and can't drive to a garage!

Don't be surprised to find very dirty oil and some metal filings on the magnetic gearbox plug.....just like a classic Mini!

Edited by mab01uk, 23 November 2014 - 06:33 PM.

[SiZT]

Lucky you have a temp gauge! Our R53 came with the terrible factory fitted sat nav system so all we've got is a light that comes on when the damage is already done!

 

The standard temp gauge is a chocolate kettle anyway, it stays in the middle from 75'ish to 110 IIRC.

 

I'll get some pictures of my R53 up in a bit

[SiZT]

Better late than never, here's mine