E26 - Rebuilding the Cylinder Head - R53 Mini Cooper S 2006

[@billcunningham8485]

I shared this to my R53 FB group. Super relatable to the group. I wish I had the guts to go through my head like this. 60K - head gasket failure due to previous owner going to the wrong shop for a simple repair. They broke a plastic fitting in the cooling system - perhaps the mechanic didn’t know, and sent him on his way. Car over heated and caused exhaust gases leaking into the coolant. I got the car cheap and ended up doing the head gasket on my own - first time ever. Did all the maintenance needed then sold it as it was just too rusty on the under carriage. Made a bit of $$$ on the sale and bought another with even less miles and zero rust.

[@RegardingAutomobiles]

Awesome! More people to share my pain with. :). I don’t really use Facebook a lot but happy to join the group if people are talking R53s. Rust on everything because of the Canadian winters. Hopefully once I eventually get it all gone this car will never see road salt again.

[@billcunningham8485]

@@RegardingAutomobiles I am in Minnesota so I feel your rust pain. My current R53 I purchased out of Seattle with under 42,000 miles so zero rust. It has been a pleasure working on it. Dropped the both rear and front Sub frames without issue. Check out the FaceBook group. Gen1 Mini Cooper Owners, Parts and Forum USA. I will out in a word for my Canadian friend so you can get in a USA group. Helpful group of owners with nearly 3,000 members.

[@sethmayer7472]

Congrats on moving things forward... Will save for the eventual blown-motor teardown in my future!

[@davehall6561]

Great video, just doing this job myself and watching this, it's me word for word..!!! Everything you did here I got wrong and I guess we're both learning all the time. Brilliant mate, keep it up I'm going to start searching for the rest of your vids now

[@automotivecc]

Such an honest and down to earth series. I’m really enjoying the videos. Keep up the good work.

[@RegardingAutomobiles]

Thanks for watching! More coming soon.

[@dutchminir5318]

Keep on going meet, cant wait for the next episode!

[@ryeguy88]

Just when i thought i had the worst luck with the MINI I owned... this far worse. I commend you for your attitidue and perserverance but I also question your sanity haha.

[@RegardingAutomobiles]

Ha. This car almost ended up on the scrap pile a few times. As I said, the fixing became the hobby rather than actually driving the car. Thinking of it that way was the only way to stay sane.

[@ja4476]

You're a patient person...!! I've bought a 2007 mini with a engine problem ( I think it`s a piston connecting rod bearing).. I'm searching on all infos possible on the net before beginning the job... (in some weeks).... Keep going on, you're going a good job.....

[@RegardingAutomobiles]

Thanks! Only advice is that it will take longer and be more expensive than any plan you have. :)

[@ja4476]

@@RegardingAutomobiles would you suggest to buy a used engine instead of trying to fix it ? I just discover your charnel few days ago and already seen many of your videos. (Going to be helpful) I bought a pretty clean one, I drove it and the engine seems to be the only problem. Many years ago I swapped a 94 suzuki sidekick engine, but doing it on those mini is going to take more time !! My idea is to buy a used engjne and install it. It would give me time to rebuild the actual one without to be in a hurry. With your actual expérience on rebuilding yours, do you think it would be a good choice ? Can I ask in % or $, where did you spend most of the money invested(until now) ? I'll watch more of your videos in the coming days...

[@RegardingAutomobiles]

In 2007 they switched to a new turbo charged engine. So the engine will be different than mine, unless yours is convertible. Convertibles kept the super charger for one more year. I am not too familiar with turbo models, I think they had timing chain issues. The money is kind of spread around. Tools, fasteners, little parts are the things that really get you. $100 here, $40 there turns into $1000. Good luck with yours!

[@ja4476]

@@RegardingAutomobiles mine isn't a turbo... (sadly) !!!!

[@garrietaylor9519]

love your work & the fact you're drinking as ya go

[@RegardingAutomobiles]

Thanks for watching! Maybe I can get a beer sponsorship if I keep it up.

[@ChrisNieves]

damn dude Ill be going through this very soon myself but when I replaced my original cam with 100k it was like brand new no scoring it pits whatsoever. Sent a replacement head to port and polish. i like your videos because you remind me of me lol.

[@freshdouglas1288]

Fantastic vid

[@artyom17]

What is missing is the valves re-lapping. Or, the vacuum test at least.

[@RegardingAutomobiles]

Machine shop specifically said they matched all the valves so I didn’t need to lap them and I don’t know all that much so I trust them. Not sure on vacuum test.

[@Fore-Four-Dee-Too]

You should have checked the lash adjusters. Based on the condition of the cam, you have a some bad lash adjusters and will probably damage your new cam, wear your new guides and get to rebuild the head again soon. The valve seats are not polished, they are gound to a specific angle during the process referred to as a valve job.

[@RegardingAutomobiles]

Ah yeah that is a good call about the lash adjusters. Too late now :). I suppose I’ll have to change them when I get around to upgrading the cam.

[@IsraelitesUnited]

Great video. Is there any valve guide boss in the valve chamber bowl as I'm looking at porting my cylinder head

[@RegardingAutomobiles]

Just posted a short showing the inside of the valve head.

[@spuriouspseudo]

That was a big wrench for 24ftlbs.

[@RegardingAutomobiles]

Yeah close to its minimum setting but I am pretty sure that other one was broken.