Grarteaga Posted June 12, 2023 Report Posted June 12, 2023 Hey folks, I have 2012 Mini Cooper Base that needs a head gasket replacement and milky oil flush, maybe even a coolant flush. Does anyone know someone that has a garage that could help me out with this? Either that can do it for not an arm and a leg or that could provide me with the space and advice for me to work on it (slowly). I'm the son of a mechanic but all my gear and space is back in California. Know this is a bit strange of an ask, maybe, but thought I'd ask the group for advice, suggestions, and/or pointing me in the right direction. thanks! Best, Gabe
Pollito Posted June 28, 2023 Report Posted June 28, 2023 I’d offer a space if I had one. Any luck? I’ve done the head gasket on my r53. Unfortunately, it’s typically arm and a leg labor. I’m sure you know already the tight layout requires a lot of disassembly.
Grarteaga Posted June 28, 2023 Author Report Posted June 28, 2023 No luck just yet on space. I've taken it to a few shops and one shop in PA in particular will do it for $3800 or $6600 for a used engine replacement.
Pollito Posted June 28, 2023 Report Posted June 28, 2023 4 hours ago, Grarteaga said: No luck just yet on space. I've taken it to a few shops and one shop in PA in particular will do it for $3800 or $6600 for a used engine replacement. Damn. Is there anywhere you can work outside like a friend’s driveway and do you have tools? Best thing you could is take the parts you disassemble home with you to not clutter their space, and when you’re done for the day, use an extra large car cover to cover the jack stands. Just to be as discreet as possible unless they’re car people and don’t care. The problem is you would need some time bc I’m sure you’d plan on taking the head to a machine shop.
Grarteaga Posted June 28, 2023 Author Report Posted June 28, 2023 (edited) 16 hours ago, Pollito said: I’d offer a space if I had one. Any luck? I’ve done the head gasket on my r53. Unfortunately, it’s typically arm and a leg labor. I’m sure you know already the tight layout requires a lot of disassembly. Did you learn how to do it with the help of someone of did you watch videos? I'm seriously considering renting a garage for a month or two depending on how much it is, I'm finding some in DC for about $200-250. I would just need a motor jack or I guess I could just use a hand jack, which I have. I have a compressor and mostly all the tools I would need to pull out the head. On a level of 1 being super novice and 10 being an expert, what would you rate having done it, in terms of one's own experience? I guess I'm gaging if its gonna be a pain in the ass to do. $3800 is a lot tho, so there is that. I guess the other option is I sell it as a mechanic special and find an S, which I want anyway. Edited June 28, 2023 by Grarteaga
Pollito Posted June 29, 2023 Report Posted June 29, 2023 14 hours ago, Grarteaga said: Did you learn how to do it with the help of someone of did you watch videos? I'm seriously considering renting a garage for a month or two depending on how much it is, I'm finding some in DC for about $200-250. I would just need a motor jack or I guess I could just use a hand jack, which I have. I have a compressor and mostly all the tools I would need to pull out the head. On a level of 1 being super novice and 10 being an expert, what would you rate having done it, in terms of one's own experience? I guess I'm gaging if its gonna be a pain in the ass to do. $3800 is a lot tho, so there is that. I guess the other option is I sell it as a mechanic special and find an S, which I want anyway. Yep I just watched ModMini who has a lot of videos on the r53. But I also have the Bentley Manual. I think a head gasket would probably be around a 7? Comparing that to doing more precise engine work. Cleaning up the mating surface of the block and installing ARP head studs made me the most nervous, not bc it was particularly hard but after doing so much work, I was concerned about putting everything back together and having mating issues. Selling it is definitely an option. You could also take the opportunity at 3800 if you trust yourself to install a performance head along with the new gasket. If you’re planning on building a car with a lot of mods, you can always scrap the idea of the S and go with an aftermarket turbo and all that jazz.
Grarteaga Posted July 25, 2023 Author Report Posted July 25, 2023 On 6/29/2023 at 9:11 AM, Pollito said: Yep I just watched ModMini who has a lot of videos on the r53. But I also have the Bentley Manual. I think a head gasket would probably be around a 7? Comparing that to doing more precise engine work. Cleaning up the mating surface of the block and installing ARP head studs made me the most nervous, not bc it was particularly hard but after doing so much work, I was concerned about putting everything back together and having mating issues. Selling it is definitely an option. You could also take the opportunity at 3800 if you trust yourself to install a performance head along with the new gasket. If you’re planning on building a car with a lot of mods, you can always scrap the idea of the S and go with an aftermarket turbo and all that jazz. Did you ever find a reputable machine shop in the DMV area that I could take the head to get it rebuilt? I took it out and now I'm sourcing where to take it to. Any recs would be super helpful! Thx.
Grarteaga Posted July 25, 2023 Author Report Posted July 25, 2023 Also Pollito, Since you were the only one to respond here. I figure you might be interested in my progress. I was able to get a friend to help me with space, I've been able to work on Krusty a bit here and there. Here are some photos, I've been able to get the head out. I noticed a few things while taking the head off. Must have's: 1. I haven't had cold AC since the engines been giving me issues. Not sure if its related but I discovered that the AC tubing was punctured due to it finding its way near my header and a hole had formed in it from it melting. (Added a pic) 2. More related to the head. When I took it off the gasket doesn't look cracked or badly damaged. I did notice that one of the metal cup like looking covers was in the wrong place. It looked like it had flung off from the hole hear the timing chain and had completely come off and was lodged near the timing chain chamber, which looks like it traveled a bit because it shouldn't be there. I wonder if this is why the coolant and oil mixed together. (Added a pic and circles indicating what I'm referring to). 3. I'm going to be replacing the oil filter housing gasket, as they recommend I do in addition to the timing chain now that its open. 4. The oil pan on this base mini is filthy, so I thin I'm going to get a new oil pan gasket and new oil pan (its a little beat up). 5. Front and rear bumper reinforcement (they were rusty looking). Like to have's: 1. I'm noticing that the subframe is hella rusted not to the point where it will fall apart but I'd like to replace that in the next year or so after I finish the head, you think I should do it now? I replaced the shocks and springs, and brakes this past year. 2. I may need an upgrade on my muffler. It could wait but I could do it now too. 3. AC compressor and condensor. Or should I just change the damaged tubes and charge the compressor with AC and see if that does it? Anyway, jotting down my thoughts.
scotty Posted August 4, 2023 Report Posted August 4, 2023 Wow looks like a huge job but there is a lot you can do while it's stripped down to this point and get her running like new.
Grarteaga Posted July 3 Author Report Posted July 3 I know it's been a while since I've posted, but today Krusty passed its medical exam!!! Proof that it worked. I mean I have been driving it, but it's official. I got it running for the first time in November. I had to replace the two freeze plugs Drain the coolant a million times, including cleaning out the heater core Drain the oil a bunch of times I JB welded the inside of the coolant manifold, it looked like the top head had a small crack.
