My 2006 Mini Cooper S

Neil_M

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Neil_M
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4,766
I felt cold because I had a head cold and couldn't raise the enthusiasm for it lol. I need to reduce the amount of cars that I have to free up space in the garage to actually be able to work at stuff. :mad:

LOL I know the feeling. More than anything too many jobs to do, not enough time.

Roll on the summer when you can work outside in the evenings with good light. :cool:(y)
 

Neil_M

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Neil_M
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The Mini's header tank always bugged me as the heat cycles distorted the colour of it.

They are a known weak point on the Mini's, as they spit and leakon the centre join... So as preventative maintenance is the way forward, lets get a new one.

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A very dirty engine bay, showing the header tank before.

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Since I couldn't just replace the header tank, I decided to give the system a good flush. The hose gun was the perfect size for the header tank hole.

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After running through nice and clear... I ran through some Holt's Speedflush for the craic. While the car was cooling I washed it.

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Once the car was cooled, it was time for another flush out of the system with de-ionised waster to get rid of the Speedflush and and crud it has loosened.

The old header tank was removed here... Noting I had to disconnect the coil wiring plug and the HT leads for cylinder 3 and 4 for clearance.

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As per usual multitasking leads this into a dusk ordeal... That;s the new header tank in. At this stage the system had been bled and was cooling...

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Since the engine bay was pretty dirty, it was time for a clean up and a double check of the coolant levels.

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I'm still loving the JCW tips.

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And looking pretty for another day or two!

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Neil_M

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Neil_M
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Time for a little more preventative maintenace on one of the known weakpoints on the mini, the rocker cover gasket.

While I was there I thought I'd double check the coolant levels after the work last weekend...

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Time to start removing parts to get near the rocker cover.

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Intercooler out for a wash inside and out.

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Noting a split in one of the breather pipes. Replacement has been ordered alreadt.

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That should be everything out of the way, allowing removal of the rocker cover.

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I'm delighted to say the head looks very clean from the top. Minimal staining and next to no wear on anything! A good sign of a well maintained car.

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New gasket installed along with spark plug tube gaskets.

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The essentials nailed back on ready to check for leaks.

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No problems to report and that should keep any potential leaks at bay.

It was a slightly fiddly job due to access to bolts and requiring the removal of several brackets etc.

I did have one bolt snap on me. Luckily it was just at the head, so once the bracket was removed I had room to remove it with some PlusGas and mole grips.

As mentioned above the replacement breather pipe has been ordered. I'm also going to replace the bolts for the brackets that support the intercooler. They just look a bit keek.
 

Neil_M

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Neil_M
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Just a quick update, following on from last weekend.

The split breather pipe has been replaced, unfortunately the rain didn't help things at all.

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The breather pipe has been replaced (just below the oil cap).

Time to replace some of the fasteners from last weekend with stainless equivalents.

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The rear intercooler brackets have had the bolts replaced.

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Throttle body nuts replaced.

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The intercooler is back in, with the last brackets bolted down with stainless bolts.

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Starting into a quick dry down...

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Not too many miles on her!

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I'll be putting the mini up for sale very soon. If there are any genuine interested parties (please no timewasters), feel free to PM with any offers or information requests.

2006 Mini Cooper S, 61,381 miles and excellent condition with a few choice tweaks! She's been a great daily driver for over a year. Costs buttons to run and is a great fun little go-kart. The performance tweaks have simply added to the experience and made her that bit more easier to drive.
 
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Carson

RMS Regular
Messages
7,815
Location
......
Drives
R53 JCW/A4 B8.5
Someone will get a great car. Can’t image it will sit around for long.
Mine has just hit 62K :cool:
 

Neil_M

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Neil_M
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Someone will get a great car. Can’t image it will sit around for long.
Mine has just hit 62K :cool:

Cheers batman!

We are both lucky to have very low mileage examples.

If it stops raining at some stage, I'll get some for sale photos up...
 

NickR

RMS Regular
Messages
11,046
Drives
A6/E39 530i
Cheers Nick. She warped round for what must be a year and a half as a daily. Great fun wee car.
I’d consider one when the golf goes for a bit of craic, everyone that owns one seems to love them. I’d say yours would be more than I’d be looking to spend though with the condition and work you’ve done to it.
 

Dusty

RMS Regular
Messages
1,090
Location
Co Armagh
Drives
Honda CR-V
Just a quick update, following on from last weekend.

The split breather pipe has been replaced, unfortunately the rain didn't help things at all.

20190126_103944.jpg


The breather pipe has been replaced (just below the oil cap).

Time to replace some of the fasteners from last weekend with stainless equivalents.

20190126_104421.jpg

20190126_104429.jpg


The rear intercooler brackets have had the bolts replaced.

20190126_122551.jpg


Throttle body nuts replaced.

20190126_122557.jpg


The intercooler is back in, with the last brackets bolted down with stainless bolts.

20190126_124223.jpg


Starting into a quick dry down...

20190126_124801.jpg


Not too many miles on her!

20190126_173651.jpg


I'll be putting the mini up for sale very soon. If there are any genuine interested parties (please no timewasters), feel free to PM with any offers or information requests.

2006 Mini Cooper S, 61,381 miles and excellent condition with a few choice tweaks! She's been a great daily driver for over a year. Costs buttons to run and is a great fun little go-kart. The performance tweaks have simply added to the experience and made her that bit more easier to drive.

Pm me a price fella, can't guarantee I'll take it but see what happens.

J
 

Neil_M

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Neil_M
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Sad times as the mini is away, so this is the final update...

Sorting out all the history on the car.
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The car all cleaned up for the new owner, fluids checked, leather treated... She was looking very well in the winter sun!
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And best of all the new owner arrived with buns, what a legend.
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Best of all the car is away to an RMS member. Easily the slickest car sale ever, with zero hassle. Happy motoring to the new owner.

Now whats that red thing sitting in the driveway...
 
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Neil_M

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Neil_M
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Can’t see any pictures 8-(

Aye I blame Andy's proxy, it chews up the links to the images despite them being valid.

I've stuck in some links to the images too.
 
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ChrisL

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18,485
Drives
Audi S3 (8V)
As I've said before the best thing to do is convince you to buy a car I want and then buy it from you at the end lol

Seriously well sorted car, someone got a great car. (y):cool:
 

Neil_M

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Neil_M
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As I've said before the best thing to do is convince you to buy a car I want and then buy it from you at the end lol

Seriously well sorted car, someone got a great car. (y):cool:

Thank you sir. Best of all it's away to a good home!

You know my thoughts, great choice.
I told you the Mini wouldn’t sit about !

You were 100%, a deposit was left in a day or two!

Taking the new wagon to Cars and Coffee today, in that weather, didn't make me regret my choice either!
 

ALN

RMS Regular
Messages
3,244
Location
Orlando, FL
Drives
Clio 182
Pleased to be the new owner of this great little car and it was a pleasure dealing with Neil! Easiest car purchase ever!!

I had hoped to make cars and coffee but unfortunately another commitment got in the way. That didn’t stop me getting out for a blast this afternoon and getting the car grubby lol.

As others have said this is a well sorted car and I don’t have many plans other to maintain and enjoy it however I will guess I should hijack this thread and post updates here...
 

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Neil_M

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Neil_M
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Pleased to be the new owner of this great little car and it was a pleasure dealing with Neil! Easiest car purchase ever!!

I had hoped to make cars and coffee but unfortunately another commitment got in the way. That didn’t stop me getting out for a blast this afternoon and getting the car grubby lol.

As others have said this is a well sorted car and I don’t have many plans other to maintain and enjoy it however I will guess I should hijack this thread and post updates here...

Enjoy sir, they are just good honest fun!

The pops and crackles out of it are mega.
 

ALN

RMS Regular
Messages
3,244
Location
Orlando, FL
Drives
Clio 182
Rather than start a new thread I may as well keep this one rolling!

Unfortunately nothing particularly exciting up update other than the car flying through MOT as expected and just hit 65k miles

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I picked up a little thing from Kilbroney which I feel is in-keeping with @Neil_M spirit! Think he should sign it tbh...
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