I BOUGHT (Another) Mini Cooper S With A MAJOR Overheating Problem

[@LSandL31]

The whole unit looks really good, and if an engine swap is only 4 hours, it’ll be easier than shipping an engine.

[@tjm5492]

Do the engine swap, JR. That Mini is too young to die.

[@bluenigel08]

The swap is not that easy. The engine you have is a n18. The one in the car is an n14. The engine harness is different as the n18 has Vanos on the intake and exhaust whereas the n14 is single Vanos( intake only I believe). I still think you should fix it. Do a head gasket. It’s easy and could be done in a few hours. Obviously, if the head or the block are warped from overheating so much, that changes things

[@PaulyDTheKiwi]

Exactly!!! As I said, just do the gasket and get it out of your life. It’s going to make money all day and still have a $5000.00 motor he can sell.

[@THEAJFrost]

As a person with an N14 engined car, that had heard that "just a few changes were needed to make an N18 engine fit", I can guarantee that there are not just a few changes needed to make it fit. They are practically totally different.

[@joeblack007]

I was thinking the same thing. If the engine is still good, just do a head gasket. Sell the $5K engine separately. I shipped engine, trans and commercial appliances through SAIA. Just wrap it up good, strap to pallet and send it on it's way. Never had an issue.

[@jb678901]

1) Change the oil cooler gaskets and oil filter housing gaskets 2) replace the OEM oil cooler line to the TURBO with a S.S. flex line 3) change the thermostat 4) change the plastic cross over pipe between water pump and thermostat 5) change the water pump 6) change the friction pulley that drives the water pump from the serpentine belt 7) change the serpentine belt 8) upgrade the intercooler 9) replace the plastic valve cover with a ALUMINUM valve cover ($130), including gasket...(torque in sequence at 90 inch pounds)...make sure to use HT RTV on the driver side corners of that damn gasket 10) drain/replace the xmission fluid (do the filter change too) 11) Oil/filter change (5W30 full syn) 12) flush and replace the coolant 13) run seafoam to the dirty side vacuum takeoff from the valve cover to clear out carbon from the the tops of the intake valves You can do all of this while the car's front bumper, etc. is taken apart and in maintenance mode. Else, possible to do by only removing the downpipe, for access to very tight spaces. Do it all at once...killing a lot of known birds with one stone, so to speak.

[@vincedibona4687]

Or, don’t buy POS cars. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@craigcarlson627]

Rebuild it unless the block and head is Is warped cuz of overheating. Sell the good engine.. learn how to Palatize large parts.

[@jb678901]

@@vincedibona4687 To each his own. Including frigging idiots, for that matter.

[@TheGunner9545]

You absolutely forgot the main issue with these cars. The Timimg Chain.

[@jb678901]

@@TheGunner9545 That can be easily checked. (classic rattle)..certainly when changing out the valve cover, as suggested. If the timing chain were at issue, I suspect the engine replacement option would've be an immediate choice in this case. Timing chains on these cars tend to go at around 85K miles. Usually less if the oil isn't changed at a frequency of around 5K miles. I always change at 5K miles (+/-) and check oil level after every second fuel tank refill. I prefer to keep the dip stick level FULL and at least above the half-full mark.

[@adwarrior]

The R56 has a plastic thermostat housing that has about 6 journals coming off it and they are notorious for cracking and leaking . It's located right where you heard the hissing coming from below the vacuum pump and just above the transmission. I would check that before I decided it was the head gasket. I'm surprised Johnny didn't check that.

[@Mark-jd1jx]

Probably said that because that head gaskets most likely blown now anyway from the amount of limping was done while hot.

[@janine8933]

If you are going to ship an engine, the best way is to anchor it to a pallet, make an inexpensive plywood box to cover it and band it to the pallet. Freight companies will give you a price per pallet to ship it. Most companies don't accept returns on engines, unless the buyer can prove that the engine is bad.

[@potroastation1809]

I spent a considerable amount of time building a wood coffin create for a spendy Mercedes hood. Fed-X claimed it was my poor packaging the caused the freight damage. There was a forklift tread across the hood.

[@janine8933]

@@potroastation1809 That sounds like the truck drive put the pallet jack on top of your pallet, thinking it was strong enough to hold the weight. Sorry, that happened to your hood. If you ever ship another hood or door etc., spend a little more and make a the wood creat a peak in the middle......so that nothing can lay flat on top of your pallet.

[@donmynack]

I would seriously look for a buyer within a day's drive, put it in the bed of the pickup, and drive it there myself. Charge $600 shipping for your time and gas, and you KNOW it won't be damaged in shipping by some moron FedEx employee who doesn't give a crap.

[@potroastation1809]

Fed-x is the hardest to make an insurance claim on. UPS although damages more often, pays out. The hood came back on a pallet w/o the create.@@janine8933

[@ckm-mkc]

@@potroastation1809 UPS wrecked a set of headlights (literally glass shards in box, not even a remnant of headlights). They were insured for $1000. I wound up sending a small claims court filled out certified mail to their process server address threatening them that I would file it unless there was a check in my hand within a week. The day after the letter arrived, a check showed up for $1000.....

[@doingyamom]

Only thing you gotta keep in mind is that the good engine you have and the bad engines are two completely different engines. Wiring is different, mounting is different, and even control modules like the DME may be different

[@randyarock]

Love that you got another R56 😊 And yeah - you sold that antenna… to me! 😂 Thanks!

[@WatchJRGo]

It’s weird antennas are selling really well for me, the Fusion sold instantly too! 😳

[@terrybaptist795]

The wiring harnesses are different between the two engines. I would say pull the cylinder head off throw in a new cylinder head gasket and make sure the cylinder isnt warped it is take it to the mache and get it machined.

[@jeroldbreazeale4717]

Keep up the great content John love everything you do man!!!

[@GrotrianSeiler]

“ I have a game plan. I might fix it, I might part it out.” That’s 2 game plans! haha

[@CalebFails]

Put the engine swap in it

[@RoadhogRNA]

JR, your in business. Do which ever is more Profitable for your Business. We are going to watch either way.

[@cloudyview]

Love the 'samcrac it' 🤣🤣

[@omazdetailing4979]

Man love that you find these and work on them. Save it it’s to good to die…. Someone else could enjoy it for some time

[@chaunceywilliams8405]

Why don't you link your part out ebay store to your you tube videos?

[@WatchJRGo]

It was there but the link has to be disclosed with #ad which would make it the number 1 tag on the video so I took the link back off 😬

[@randyarock]

I just put a reman cylinder head and all gaskets related on my 2007 R56 N14 Mini Cooper S. It’s not fast but easily accomplished. Give it a try! Yes, my Mini is now a smooth runner! Save it!

[@jeffhines3754]

It has the N14, not the best. Did you bleed the cooling sys? Check the oil filter housing/oil cooler for leaks, if leaking oil/coolant can mix, making one think gasket. Can't wait to see what code you pull...

[@pmkstudios]

finding cars not actively on fire under 2 k still living the dream. hope you get to save it one way or the other

[@B0H0]

Really do wish I had the space to buy a mini, it's been my favorite car since the Italian Job. Might sound crazy or dumb but if you ever want to get rid of any of the minis, Ill trade any labor for the opportunity to own. I am in Wichita..

[@MongoMotors352]

“Do you want to Sam Crack it?” Lol hahaha

[@KentHutchins]

Hey JR, Watching you to discover how you're going to 1. Run a parts shop (requires largely standardised operations) and/or 2. Produce ongoing video content (requires lots of fresh creative content), 3. Be unique & true to your own style. Go JR!

[@theMick52]

How's the house remodel going?

[@Cooperdonny325]

I love seeing mini’s on the channel 😁 you should try to fix that one maybe 👍

[@jimmccormick6091]

"you wanna try it on a windy day????? Naahh..."- that right there is BRAND CONFIDENCE....

[@noonehere1793]

Personally i would swap the engine….less hassle in the long run as you are not sitting on parts hoping to sell them.

[@Jaws677]

He doesn't have the same engine. That's a N14 and he has a N18

[@kyleegootee5020]

Hey I have a 2005 mini cooper, and my transmission fluid is leaking into my coolant could you walk me through on how to fix it?

[@nomad57-u3x]

how much once you fix it?

[@69Dartman]

I'd swap the other engine in it and can still sell a lot of parts after everything is swapped around. I missed the early upload but sounds like you could make money and have a fun car to play with. Either way you win.

[@rumplestilskin5776]

Do whichever option pays you the most back.

[@gomd3rd]

That’s the thermostat housing where you heard the noise from. It’s easy enough to do a headgasket on these things.

[@RadDadBMX]

What’s up with the BMX bike? Is it a Mosh or a Mongoose?

[@yenterpriseonebay]

Your open thoughts about shipping engines is exactly why I'm curious to see if you just go back to fixing cars for the most part. I don't know if you have the patience for selling more than standard fit-in-a-box parts. Sure, you can learn how to do eBay, and how to do freight shipping, but I would just stick with what you are good at. Keep fixing cars.

[@hamishcruden7623]

Good on you... put it back on the road... after the engine swap... But if you make more by parting it out... go for it... what is the % difference if you fix and sell or part out? I mean do you make a much higher % by parting it out?

[@Engineerd3d]

I say part it out. Figure out the shipping problem.

[@bluetwinbill794]

I bought a 2023 CamaroZl1 and I'm going to part it out!

[@Timjacks01]

R56 are the best. Owners just need to maintain them 💪🏻

[@squeakers27]

This ☝️, I've only had a about 2-3 small issues with mine over a year and a half (an O2 sensor and some coil packs, and thermostat) and I maintain it well and look after it and have lots of fun. Fed up of all the comments of 'avoid, it's so unreliable, leave you stranded, made of chocolate (stupid saying imo)' 3 small issues in 15k miles on a high mileage car is pretty good going to me 🤷

[@tony_25or6to4]

Freight shipping is a hassle... especially LTL. You need to build a cradle out of wood for the engine, use pallet wrap, and strap down to the pallet. Once you learn it and do it a lot, it should be easy.

[@donmynack]

PART IT OUT! PART IT OUT!

[@mec-tec]

Save it !

[@monturrahman878]

Rebuilt including gearbox - plenty of parts available in the UK. Cars with engine problems here are only a few hundred pounds.

[@drasticmart]

If that leak stop some how fails swap the engine but you should be mint now😂

[@joshbrown6091]

Can you do a full fluid change of your next buy. Doesn’t matter what your buy. Axles engine etc

[@goclunker]

I don't know if you will see this, my r56 S fan doesn't turn on. Temp sensor is new. When unplugged the fan turns on and runs. When plugged in, fan doesn't run at all. Fan is new. Any ideas?

[@jaredmauldin8309]

Do the engine swap, wrap it with the store logo, and keep upgrading it as a show piece to advertise. You’ll get more to part out later, and Johnny probably will send a few customers your way too

[@dustinswatsons9150]

Yeah so if the head gasket it's probably a lot of gaskets that need to be replaced along with the oil cooler I'm not sure if there's a timing cover gasket involved

[@lucasfernandez5779]

I think car ninja was trying to tell you something...."I'll fix it... I'll fix it" maybe offering him the car with a small gain is the way? He knows how much is that car working properly, and you know how much time/money is probably taking him to fix it. Find a number between those two and make a deal. If it was me... I'll certainly fix it. Maybe the plastic pipe that goes to the water pump is broken, or the rubber pulley is failing ...most common issue is that the plug in the middle of the cylinder head must be blown away, and that's why is overheating. But its true, both engine blocks and head get warped easily, so if you're fixing it, you need to check that before changing the head gasket. It's a good car, with low emissions. Don't part it out so fast, remember...reuse, recycle and restore. Recycle it ♻️

[@pinballdan]

Totally fix it it's a nice car you got the engine do it❤

[@jlautomotive6349]

I would have tried K-seal… wait, wait, wait… yes I know it’s not for large holes/cracks but this stuff works so possibly use with the stop leak you already used?? I say swap the engine and sell the car? Keep up the incredible work!!👍

[@NORTH_HWD]

The roofs are metal we cut them off and weld them into our cars lol very popular in the 71-90 caprice and impalas we just put one in my brothers Chevelle. And if you use head gasket sealant use the blue devil stuff works everytime lol

[@info-wizz]

What's happening to the abandoned MINI RESORT ?

[@mrhaiku2538]

Save the Manuals

[@NysaS-n2n]

Is it a big expense to replace head gasket?. Is it not a number matching car?

[@NathanRobinson81]

My wife says "put an engine in it."

[@mikemichaud5578]

Old dominion is a pretty good freight company they can help you out. I’ve used them thousands of times and never had a problem with them

[@stang1966gt]

How does JnJ ship all the time? My neighbor bought a part from them and it was a great experience

[@matthewmccune]

why not change the head gasket? or do they warp easily?

[@bassheadjazz03]

Oil filter housing gasket prob leaking. Along w water pump and crossover pipe. Oil light cause it’s super low. This is super save-able.

[@Scotty_in_Ohio]

As much as I would like to see this MINI live another day - it's probably better to part it out.... I say that even though I own five MINIs at the moment - just better business than the free labor to swap the motor...

[@potatochobit]

head gasket not a reason to throw away the engine but if you are going to fix it need to do the timing chains on this generation. The earlier model I think 2009-2011? is known for some crazy electrical wiring issue that should be taken care of. I guess you should remove the engine and swap in the good one would save the most time and money and then think about selling this blown one.

[@wolfc7280]

I thought I wanted a mini until I heard stories about its history of breakdowns and maintenance issues.

[@lkchild]

Cashflow is king in business. If you can make a decent return on a quicker turnaround and bring that money back in to work for you more, versus taking a long time to make more, take the quick option every time. You’ll make more over time and be more flexible to adapt and take opportunities.

[@Wjohnsonize]

I would bet the block is warped by now with the old owner overheating it as well.. you could try having the block decked and the head machined etc, but if you want to save this, you should get the correct engine from that reman engine place you go to..the engine you have is different..final option part it out.

[@PaulyDTheKiwi]

“Just do the gasket”. It’s an N14 and the other motor is an N18, so different everything. It’s not a plug and play. Then you still have $5000.00 of good motor to sell. Business is business.

[@thomaswilding8818]

Don't know if the n18 fits. If you're looking to increase profit, the n14 engine is a long shot.

[@markbennett6658]

Engine swap it. It’ll be better for the channel. Watching cars getting fixed is a lot more entertaining than watching them being torn apart!

[@motocrossedful]

save it, swap it. Hey you forgot to mention, the hood struts work

[@gomd3rd]

Actually do the engine swap and then try to fix the other engine. Crazy easy t9 do the chain and headgasket. Once you have it apart have a machine shop plane the old heads.

[@JConnollystudio]

Put every possible magic fix bottle until it blows! I would part it, keep that engine for a mini you want too keep

[@ewallacestudent1]

Why can't the head be replaced?

[@JZ-tg1cm]

Fix it and get it back on the road. That's a nice little car that some single mom will love. :)

[@douglasbray3563]

Good Evening John Ross

[@frankm8533]

Part it out! Just ask LeeC about shipping stuff im sure he knows Lol

[@schmidt28117]

love it, "SamCrac" is now a verb. 8)

[@delgado76]

Well I would say it depends how much profit is selling the engine vs replacing the engine and how much can you sell the mini for and how much labor it takes

[@chepep0n]

JR 2024: that's it guys! no more junk cars! Also JR 2024: i've bought another junk car!

[@kerrylewis2581]

Looks like somebody cared for that Mini. How many previous owners?

[@Roogs209]

My dads mini s is perfect except it’s only 2 pedals. Fun little boxes, but far butter out there

[@Roogs209]

Perfect for a red mini s, has vanity STL Cards plates that say mini 1

[@victorrobinson7008]

Blue devil that mixes with antifreeze is way better but cost $37.99 ! Next time ? May want too replace the thermostat also ! J.R.

[@wadetyler5056]

Look at the profit margin, if it’s above 40% you are a winner, right? Aren’t there programs for shipping companies that handle shipments?

[@StephenCole1916]

I think you should do the engine swap then sell it! It looks in good condition, except for the engine of course, which you happen to have one.

[@xkavarsmith9322]

If you love this car, swap it. If not, part it. Watching either way. 😊

[@janfranken5257]

Now you have a real life dilemma what does the budget allow for repairs and how do I get to work is there enough value in the car to justify repairs or sell it at the junk yard for $200.00

[@lukewalker1051]

Love Johnny. I would have never of put stop leak in ANY engine. With a replacement engine in the wings, if you want to content of your channel, why not pull the head of the engine and check the head gasket with the engine in the car? At least orthoscope it with plugs out...also look at the plugs for a washed out plug. Meanwhile check the codes as well. If cyl walls intact and looks like a gasket, why not replace the head gasket and keep the good engine as a back up or sell the good engine?

[@yogisfriend7869]

Time to do the math. Which option do you believe brings the bigger profit? You're right, you need to learn logistics process and get used to what will become an integral part of the biz.

[@southwest7977]

Did you use Samcrac as a verb?

[@AndyZ325is]

Too nice to scrap IMHO. That said, whatever is the best ROI wins out. Great buy either way.

[@pops55650]

Swap the engine and save the Mini, then figure out your freight problem. You don’t want to underestimate shipping quotes to your customers. But I’m sure you will figure that out pretty soon. You received engines on pallets many times, so you know how to palletize them. Our warehouse has a pallet scale, maybe you cand find a used one

[@drakeorion94]

Bro you're killing us.

[@Hankola]

Where does he sells the fixed cars?

[@trackerofbadboys]

Well you usually make your decisions on what to do with the car on "if the hood struts work"!

[@wjadams2]

Yeah, it's too nice to part out. Engine swap.

[@bikeman1x11]

easier and less hassle to swap an engine then to ship one

[@gabriel_lim82]

Do u wanna samcrac it..hahaha thats funny

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Why not just replace the head gasket and keep the other engine! Win/win!

[@thebonefish]

Save it... You know you want to. Get your fix

[@windronner1]

I say go with the fix. And find another mini for other engines. Could be start of a Mini series. LoL

[@finn.hermansen]

That Mini deserves an engine swap. Let it live. There are many who will be happy with that Mini for a long time, possibly as car number 2 / wife's car

[@glassvial]

When Samcrac becomes a verb 🤣

[@05milmachine90]

Listen to the guy, fix it!