R53 MINI Cooper S engine swap - New Short Block - Part 3 (Final assembly & startup)

[@Chris-cj9jn]

Excellent job. You show a tremendous amount of patience moving through the process.

[@haydensansom9115]

Thanks so much for doing all of these videos. I will hopefully never have to pull the engine out of my Mini but if the time ever comes these videos will be an instant go-to. I also picked up a lot of tips and tricks for other maintenance and repair jobs that I know I will be doing sooner or later. Thanks again!

[@stakeout2]

Wow the mini is a car that most diy'rs can work on , I'm thinking about buying one but I like to work on my own cars and your videos have helped me make my decision on getting one , coming from honda that I built from ground up this makes me happy, thank you for your time and teaching us how it's done .

[@markspratford232]

Great Videos, very helpful. Just replaced my R53 S 2003 engine, did complete overhaul seals, gaskets, clutch, PP, flywheel, supercharger service, newly rebuilt engine by by Mini (which carries a 2year unlimited mileage warranty) which is way to go. After my wife brought it home limping had zero compression in cyl 1 pulled the head after the coil and wires didn't fix issue (P0300) turned out was a chip off an exhaust valve. With 187K on the clock why rebuild a head on 187K lower. Gave me a chance to put new urethane bushings in shift cable linkage ends, clean engine compartment all up. It'll be a total makeover. There isn't anything I haven't done on this car. Keep up the good work.

[@hoodmeister]

How much was a rebuilt engine from Mini?

[@markspratford232]

@@hoodmeister a little over 3000.00

[@markspratford232]

@@hoodmeister and it was complete, harmonic balancer plugs, coil packs, plug and play.

[@hoodmeister]

@@markspratford232 That's a great deal. I didn't even think to go to the dealer and ask about an engine. From what I've researched, $5K is more like what you'd pay. I just got a 77K miles R53 used engine for $2100 shipped to my home. I'm kicking myself.

[@hoodmeister]

@@markspratford232 I just called my dealer (11/4/21) and they said there are 3 rebuilt engines in the country, in CA, price is $4830. I guess I'll stick with my 77K used motor. You got a great deal.

[@gspruyt]

thank you very much for (all) your great howto's! I think you are very good at stating in simple english what you're doing and why. I'm not in need to replace my engine but are going to replace my steering rack and suspension bushing and your vid's have shown me how to do that. But I must say I'm a bit jealous of your tooling! what a great set have you acquired around you. It must have set you back thousands. again thanks a lot and keep up the good work!

[@ModMINI]

Thanks for watching and glad it is helpful. Having the right tool is a big help, but you don't need to pay big name brand prices. Most of my tools are from Harbor Freight, local auto parts store, Craftsman or even Home Depot. I'd really recommend getting some air tools if you can swing it. The compressor is the most expensive thing, the impact wrench and the tools themselves are quite cheap. Saves a lot of time and grief. Impact tools including the compressor, hoses, wrench, sockets/extensions are really inexpensive at Harbor Freight. Other than that, just little bits that you can buy a little at a time, $20 here, $50 there.

[@gspruyt]

***** I know, I have air tools. but your electric wrenches are cool too. and I only have one floorjack:) anyways, I like what you're doing, you have the same approach as I have..

[@ModMINI]

Gijs Spruyt Thanks - I enjoy the problem solving aspect of doing car work. Just buy the tools a little at a time... The orange one can be found as a drill/impact driver 2 piece combo for $179 right now at Home Depot and the angle driver is $65 at Amazon: amzn.to/1jPBOew

[@luisalmaguer2757]

Great work thank you very much for sharing and taking the time to educate us.

[@GarthGoldberg]

Another great video. I had been thinking that the MINI was beyond the scope of the DIY'er due to its complexity, but watching you makes it seem a lot simpler. Plus, the scale of everything on a MINI is such that everything can be handled by one (or occasionally two) person. There is a lot of plastic under the hood, but all new cars are that way.

[@ModMINI]

Thanks watching! There have been zero jobs so far where I needed someone to help. The MINI has very little plastic under the bonnet that is non functional. None of those stupid "engine covers" that hide everything and you have to remove before doing anything.

[@suggie1337]

Excellent attention to details & perfect engine revision!

[@cerberos6823]

Great series. Going to be very helpful over the next few weeks, my 45K mile 2003 Mini Cooper hydrolocked after I hit a 4" deep puddle of water (??). At least one cylinder has a bent rod. I'm hoping I can replace the bent rods, associated pistons and bearings without getting a full replacement short block as long as the crank did not twist with the flywheel inertia and the abrupt stop of the hydrolock.

[@ModMINI]

Ouch. Check out my next series for possibly some more helpful bits: Fix R53 Blown Engine 2004 MINI Cooper S - Part 1 Your block is probably fine but if you bent the crankshaft, it could end up being cheaper to just replace the entire short block...

[@retroguitarmaster]

love these methodical engine work videos, subbed

[@joc2170]

amazing job i just watched the 3 videos

[@ModMINI]

Thanks - want more? Watch the Blown engine at the track series! :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYiWXpyZpb2Ej7M

[@chrismarino9720]

Great series!!! Just curious is there a way to change the front sway bar bushings without having to put the car in service mode or dropping the entire sub-frame?

[@ModMINI]

Unfortunately no. The subframe needs to be lowered at the very least and that's not possible without separating the crash tubes.

[@peterduquette9235]

Didn't see you mention when you torqued the crank balancer bolt.... maybe after putting the belt on?

[@ModMINI]

These videos are for your information. I don't claim to show every single operation.

[@jeffmorrison3182]

Hey buddy I just pulled the same engine and have one wire harness sticking out the front of the supercharger I am drawing a blank on. It’s a two prong plug sticking out right thru where the gray vacuum hose with the red fitting is ?

[@apache4541]

Wow you are man! I would like learn to how fix my 2008 Mini Cooper S myself, it look like you

[@kyleedge121]

I watched through all three videos, did I miss the rebuild on the suspension parts? I am dropping my sub-frame to replace my clutch and with 160,000 I figured it would be a good idea to also replace the suspension parts as well. If you didn't show it, do you happen to have the video, or at least some tips about what to replace. Thanks!

[@ModMINI]

Sorry about that - I didn't include the suspension rebuild in this series as it just got way too long. I have some footage (not complete - the camera battery kept dying) and will see if I can make up something that you can watch without falling asleep in your chair.

[@kyleedge121]

***** Thanks! That would help me out a lot. I am also replacing the radiator as well, as it is pretty clogged. Your videos have already helped me get my project started.

[@AlmightyBosnian]

Could you please show us how to turbo a mini? Thank you!

[@ModMINI]

Osman Berberovic Step 1. Remove supercharger Step 2. Install a bunch of custom intake and exhaust bits Step 3. Get a custom tune :-) Just kidding. Sorry, I don't have experience in this area.

[@AlmightyBosnian]

Oh okay thanks for the reply though!

[@Martin-ff1wt]

Brilliant video. Many thanks.

[@StonyShooto]

great video how much worth of parts did u spend ?

[@cerberos6823]

A short block is around $2600 plus gaskets and a rod/piston/bearing set is around $450 per cylinder. If the crank is not twisted its worth repairing. Otherwise I'm not sure it's economical to put $3000 into a car that worth $5000. Now If I can get a turbo kit for a 2003 Mini base perhaps............. I'm going to pull the head on Sunday and take a look. Does the sump come off with the engine in the car ?

[@ModMINI]

In addition to the exterior casing, there was a hole right in the side of the cylinder wall, and we couldn't rule out additional damage to pistons, rods or bearings, or microscopic cracking on the block itself.

[@ModMINI]

***** oh, and the crank was twisted as well.

[@ModMINI]

Sump comes off together with the engine.

[@douglassmithgraham4036]

I'm on my final assembly of my engine, wow what a big job that was you make it look way too easy. My question is on the oil heat exchange and some of the hoses. Do you have a video on just the hoses for the R53. I really made the classic error of disconcerting the oil heat hose from the car and left it attached to the filter and heater exchange. (Hope I'm using the correct verbiage). maybe a video you have done previously that shows where the two heater exchange hook up.

[@ModMINI]

I assume you mean the the two coolant hoses that connect between the exchanger and the black coolant pipes. It doesn't matter which order you connect them. Just line things up so the hoses lay naturally and do not rub or interfere with anything.

[@philorchard7483]

excellent vid very helpful thank you very much made life much easyer

[@marshallgoldberg8376]

When re-attaching the shift linkage, does it matter what gear the transmission and shift lever are set to? Is there a way to know I’ve set the transmission to neutral before connecting? Or does the transmission just shift as you make the connection?

[@ModMINI]

Does not matter for manual shifter car. For Automatic, make sure the shift cable goes back in the same spot. (you can move the shifter on transmission by hand)

[@aazt5792]

what about the crank chaft bolt ? you said you will do it when the engine in car

[@osvaldohurtadoruiz6385]

Hello Mr. How do I know my engine is losing compression ?, I mean I’m thinking into buy a new motor at the dealership only because it has nearly one hundred thousand miles but I don’t really know if it is in a good shape. Thanks!

[@ModMINI]

Compression and leak down test.

[@bump636]

Hi, in next few days im doing engine swap on 2002 cooper S, I noticed that on my "new" used engine with 49.000mi which im puting in my car is oil leak somwhere behind supercharger, i guess that is crankshaft sensor O-ring because most of dirt is around sensor. And what other things to check or replace before I put engine in car?. btw great videos =)

[@ModMINI]

the only possible oil leak on front of engine, other than valve cover or head gasket, is the crank sensor o-ring. Clean up the engine best you can, maybe remove oil pan and valve cover to inspect internals, oil it up and crank over by hand to ensure you have a good engine before going through all that work? Good luck with your install.

[@bump636]

I didn't put oil pan down, the engine which im pulling out of the car has worn crankshaft berings and who knows what else due to lack of oil or something, so I was just optimistik about this new engine, I crank it by the hand few times before I put it in the car. It started really well for engine that was sitting since 2009. Tomorrow i need to put fresh oil in engine and gearbox, coolant and drive shafts with rest of subframe and test everything Your videos have been very helpfull

[@ModMINI]

bump636 Glad to hear the new engine was a healthy one. Always the risk of getting a dud. Cheers,

[@Supraman007]

love all of your vids, just wish you mentioned more torque specs

[@ModMINI]

Torque values are very easy to look up on the Internet, but for purposes of video they can vary somewhat through the model year I don't have the time to look them all up. If a precise torque is really important, such as cylinder head bolts, I'll try to call it out. But torque is not really important for nearly all other bolts, that need to be "tight enough that they won't back out" and "not so tight the bolt twists off"

[@Supraman007]

@@ModMINI I feel that anything that requires a gasket or an o-ring the torque value is important so you don't under or over-tighten because it may leak otherwise. I've tried looking up and asking for said torque values online and just get mostly smart ass answers like "one ugga dugga" etc.... so, i just bought the Bentley Manual yesterday. Anyway, thanks for replying and thanks for your Vids, they do help.

[@raducantitu3688]

do you have any video with gear box repair from mini cooper non s 2003 .thanks

[@ModMINI]

Clutch replacement videos are the same work as a transmission replacement.

[@bamfardo1172]

There seems to be a problem around 3:25 the video starts to judder.

[@bmdouble]

my new favorite channel! how much was the short block? and have you done a rebuild on the supercharger,mine has 130,000 miles and I'm thinking of doing mine.

[@ModMINI]

Thanks for watching! I didn't buy the short block - I did the work for someone else. I haven't rebuilt a supercharger and probably won't. I'm an amateur mechanic, after all! :-)

[@bmdouble]

oh ok, for an amateur you do pretty good! I've seen superchargers of different varieties rebuilt before and it looks like mostly pressing bearings and seals. if i give it a go i'll take some footage for you.

[@WEDOX100]

Good job dude i love watching your videos :) i gona buy my first car soon. its going to be a mini for sure xD what do you think i should get a r56 s or r53 s ?

[@ModMINI]

Thanks for watching! I may be biased but I totally recommend the R53. In my opinion they have more character and look, sound and feel better. The later cars are great but they aren't the new original. But be sure to budget some for repairs - the R53 is not the most reliable car, although most repairs are relatively minor. I know people who upgraded from an R53 to an R56 and wish they still had their old car.

[@WEDOX100]

***** do the repairs cost much any examples ?

[@ModMINI]

Wedad Hecimovic Typical stuff that could wrong on an R53 are power steering pump, power steering cooling fan, struts, ball joints, control arm bushing, oil pan gasket, crank position sensor o-ring, cooling fan low speed resistor, timing chain tensioner, etc. In terms of parts the power steering pump is the most expensive.

[@WEDOX100]

its not to bad thank you and film us your mini :)

[@simonlloyd7557]

I wish I could do that.

[@baronkemah]

Hi I have a r52 Mini Cooper sidewalk Edition and so love your videos and appreciate the time and effort you put into them my car has over 200,000 miles and I'm looking to replace the engine I noticed that you mentioned BMW remanufactured do you have a link for that or a phone number I sure would appreciate it I'm having problems finding anything through Google and on eBay thanks

[@ModMINI]

Contact your dealer for a BMW/MINI engine.

[@fichoudefish-tique2583]

superbe vidéo . très efficace bravo

[@elygutierrez6382]

How much money did you spend for all including labor work

[@ModMINI]

Lots for parts. Labor is free.

[@jasonvue1985]

Your the mini whisperer.

[@ModMINI]

Jason Vue I guess I ar.

[@douglassmithgraham4036]

Sir without you I would have been lost, so I come to you again, you just put that belt on like it was nothing and you used a pry-bar of some kind. I'm where you are in the video 27:48 on my car but if you could please walk me through the belt installation. I imagine I use the pry bar on the spring but where do I 1) get the bar? B) if I don't have one can I use something similar. Thanks again for these videos from front end service to restarting the car.

[@ModMINI]

Use this bar-don't try to improvise, you may damage drive pulleys. amzn.to/2e3csjG Put the pin in the second hole on the tensioner. Route the belt through all the pulleys, save idler pulley for last. Then slip onto the idler pulley. Remove pin.

[@WEDOX100]

and can you do a walkaround of your mini and show us your mods :)

[@ModMINI]

Yeah, I have been thinking about doing that.

[@WEDOX100]

***** Do it dude :)

[@ModMINI]

Wedad Hecimovic MINI mod walk around has been posted here: My 244HP R53 MINI Cooper S Mods & a test drive

[@WEDOX100]

And how to know when is the time for service those it say on the board computer like in my fathers vw or ?

[@ModMINI]

Wedad Hecimovic there is an onboard service interval indicator - it will appear for the first few seconds after turning the key. Otherwise, consult the owners manual for recommended service intervals and service items.

[@Jolly-Sid69]

Nice job. :)

[@bigtimebiskit]

how much did that cost?

[@ModMINI]

I'm not sure. It's not my car, I just did the work. The short block is about $2200 though.

[@LeeFall]

Shame you used the old rocker cover bolts not some nice new aluminium ones :) 27:22 *Never tighten this bracket down to much or it will snap the bolt or what ever it is off. HAHAHA (experience)

[@ModMINI]

MINI do not use aluminum rocker cover bolts like BMW. They do not need replacing unless the bushings are bad.

[@LeeFall]

@@ModMINI Yeah but they sure look nice and i meant stainless steel lol

[@kleincanardo1543]

👍👍💪

[@jameshone1000]

this must not be cost effective new engine In a old 2004 vehicle also to new people you should all ways test a thermalstat before in stalling it you can test it buy putting it in a cup of boiling water only because it's new dose not all ways mean it works it a fast check and save the pain of having to drain the coolant back out

[@ModMINI]

The engine was cheaper than replacing the car and a lot of people really love their MINIs. This was in 2014.