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Found 54 Messages

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 Posted: Nov 20, 2022 07:07PM
Total posts: 1357
Last post: Oct 1, 2023
Member since:Dec 9, 2000
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I checked the fluid levels and all were fine. The antifreeze is good for -35 degrees. I then hooked up the trickle charger to the battery. I did the same to my 2012 FIAT 500 Lounge, so all is good.

 Posted: Sep 11, 2022 08:00AM
Total posts: 4
Last post: Sep 30, 2022
Member since:Aug 28, 2022
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Hello-  How much oil did you use for the oil change?  I am having trouble finding out how many quarts?  I have seen 4.5 to 5.5..

 Posted: Sep 7, 2022 09:16AM
Total posts: 3
Last post: Sep 4, 2023
Member since:Sep 7, 2022
Cars in Garage: 0
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I installed electronic ignition and it started for the firts time in 20 years!!!! carburator rebuild and fuel system next 

 Posted: Aug 12, 2022 07:45AM
 Edited:  Aug 12, 2022 07:47AM
Total posts: 2512
Last post: Oct 30, 2023
Member since:Dec 1, 2002
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US
Got it on the road. Now to see what leaks, loosens or falls off.

"How can anything bigger be mini?"

 Posted: Aug 4, 2022 07:14AM
Total posts: 597
Last post: May 13, 2023
Member since:Sep 6, 2014
Cars in Garage: 0
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nothing lately, it's already perfect in my eyes.

 

 Posted: Aug 1, 2022 07:37AM
Total posts: 876
Last post: Sep 30, 2022
Member since:Dec 12, 2004
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
US
Took the cover off and drove it to Big Pine Key for a dentist appointment, 35 miles, drove it back and covered it up, the sun is brutal here!

 Posted: Jun 13, 2022 08:44AM
Total posts: 1007
Last post: Jul 19, 2022
Member since:Jul 24, 2014
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Replaced a leaking slave cylinder along with a new flex line, got it all shifty again, out of storage, and into the big world.

 Posted: May 1, 2022 11:54AM
Total posts: 8
Last post: Apr 26, 2023
Member since:Apr 30, 2022
Cars in Garage: 0
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Phew I suppose the week turned into months for me.  Pulled rear subframe and repainted.  Rebuilt trailing arms.  Replaced 1 handbrake cable (MK 1).  Repacked rear wheel bearings.  Converted from single line to dual line braking system mostly due to an exciting time I had at an autocross and then drove home with the handbrake!  Made up new brake lines for that assembly.  Finally (I hope) replaced old worn squashed front cone springs with good new old stock - car sits at least 2" higher in the front!

 Posted: Apr 2, 2022 06:29PM
Total posts: 597
Last post: May 13, 2023
Member since:Sep 6, 2014
Cars in Garage: 0
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Well, i painted the bonnet black.

 

 Posted: Feb 16, 2022 12:35PM
Total posts: 9472
Last post: Nov 30, 2023
Member since:Aug 14, 2002
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CA
Dreamed about driving it.... sigh!

.

"Hang on a minute lads....I've got a great idea."

 Posted: Feb 10, 2022 08:16PM
 Edited:  Feb 10, 2022 08:52PM
Total posts: 1
Last post: Feb 10, 2022
Member since:Feb 10, 2022
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
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Didn't feel like paying a mechanic 3k (California) to take out the old integrated manifold catalytic converter and install a new one on my wife's Mini so I pulled it in less than 4 hrs in flip-flops w/o taking the front end apart. Took longer to make the extra long slotted o2 sensor removal tool than it did to pull the upstream sensor. Removed the fan shoved the shield and manifold out the bottom. Waiting on the new one I bought here should go in the same way it came out with some brute force and ignorance. GIT ER DONE.

 Posted: Jan 6, 2022 01:36PM
Total posts: 85
Last post: Jan 26, 2022
Member since:Mar 27, 2019
Cars in Garage: 0
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military and some motorcycle manufacturers (harley) used 5.1 because it stores better as it's not as water attracting. However, when it is contaminated with water, it's much worse than dot 3/4 as it's performance is drastically worse 


Quote:
Originally Posted by 6464s
Skeeter, I'm afraid you have gotten your facts about DOT 4 and silicone based brake fluid mixed up. DOT 4 has a higher wet and dry boiling point than DOT 3. Brake fluids of any DOT # should not be mixed.

DOT 5.1 is silicone based and has 30% glycol. DOT 3, DOT4, & DOT 5.1 are all hygroscopic meaning they attract water. These fluids should be changed as part of a maintenance program.

I have been using DOT 5 in my daily driver mini for decades and never had a failure in the rear wheel cylinders or the master cylinder. The rear wheel  cylinders are the first to fail by attracting water and rusting. This is because water is heavier than brake fluid and the rear cylinders are the lowest point. I also use DOT 5 in my clutch hydraulic system without a problem. DOT 5 does not attract water.

People certainly have opinions about using DOT 5, some swear by it, others dislike it.


Xavier, Sales/tech - 800-46-2642

 Posted: Nov 14, 2021 03:50PM
Total posts: 
Last post: Nov 14, 2021
Member since:Apr 7, 2000
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 1
WorkBench Posts: 0
US
took it for one last drive before winter, filled it with premium gas and put it in the corner of the garage until next year

 Posted: Sep 28, 2021 04:02AM
 Edited:  Sep 28, 2021 04:33AM
Total posts: 466
Last post: Dec 1, 2023
Member since:Jan 25, 2017
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Skeeter, I'm afraid you have gotten your facts about DOT 4 and silicone based brake fluid mixed up. DOT 4 has a higher wet and dry boiling point than DOT 3. Brake fluids of any DOT # should not be mixed.

DOT 5.1 is silicone based and has 30% glycol. DOT 3, DOT4, & DOT 5.1 are all hygroscopic meaning they attract water. These fluids should be changed as part of a maintenance program.

I have been using DOT 5 in my daily driver mini for decades and never had a failure in the rear wheel cylinders or the master cylinder. The rear wheel  cylinders are the first to fail by attracting water and rusting. This is because water is heavier than brake fluid and the rear cylinders are the lowest point. I also use DOT 5 in my clutch hydraulic system without a problem. DOT 5 does not attract water.

People certainly have opinions about using DOT 5, some swear by it, others dislike it.

 Posted: Sep 27, 2021 06:17AM
Total posts: 13
Last post: Sep 27, 2021
Member since:Nov 30, 2020
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Installed a new Brake Master Cylinder and fully bled the brakes. Has made a significant difference to the feel of the pedal. 

The old Master Cylinder started leaking fluid down onto the carpet. When I bought the car I had a local garage give it a quick once over and they bled the brakes, so I think they used Silicone based DOT4 which has eaten through all of the seals. 

Thats the last time I trust a garage with anything. 

 Posted: Sep 24, 2021 05:07AM
 Edited:  Sep 24, 2021 05:24AM
Total posts: 466
Last post: Dec 1, 2023
Member since:Jan 25, 2017
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Weeks turned into 8 1/2 months when I started derusting the under side of my mini. I cut out the rusted bits back to good metal, replaced with the same gauge stainless steel patch panels and welded in place. Rust was in every inside and outside corner (I have a small box and pan brake
to make these panels). Creating weep holes and reopening the sealed plugs replacing them with rubber plugs.  Grinding, wire wheeling, dremeling  and scraping all the welds and the factory undercoating, to hand brushing a two part epoxy primer and then a two part epoxy top coat. I finalized the derusting process by having some rattle cans made up with the original color to  color match for the parts that show. One last thing, I sprayed fluid film into the rocker panel boxes. Now I'm moving to the corners of the engine bay.  I did all this without taking my mini off the road -  My rolling restoration. I'm very pleased with the outcome. To be continued...

 Posted: Sep 7, 2021 04:00AM
 Edited:  Sep 7, 2021 04:01AM
Total posts: 1007
Last post: Jul 19, 2022
Member since:Jul 24, 2014
Cars in Garage: 0
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I had some actual mini work done, got my AEG 163 " they're always cracked" head from my 1071 crack tested and refreshed. No cracks, should up it's value.

 Posted: Sep 1, 2021 04:41AM
 Edited:  Sep 1, 2021 04:47AM
Total posts: 2100
Last post: Oct 22, 2023
Member since:May 1, 2007
Cars in Garage: 1
Photos: 220
WorkBench Posts: 0
US
Put a new cover on my spare rear seat back to replace the crusty one in my Elf. I went with a MKII pattern to go better with my Miata front seats. 

 
   

 Posted: Aug 10, 2021 09:00AM
Total posts: 371
Last post: Apr 20, 2023
Member since:Sep 6, 2015
Cars in Garage: 0
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Went for an hours drive up thru the twisties on the hill behind Newberg Or.  That rear sway bar sure is nice.  Closer to oversteer.  Some Subaru showed up behind me but he couldn't stay with me on the really tight turns.  Then stopped at one of my favorite spots for their great "Barrel salad" and a glass of wine.

 Posted: Aug 10, 2021 08:06AM
Total posts: 322
Last post: Dec 1, 2023
Member since:Jan 22, 2018
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Oh no!!! Here we go again!!!

Found 54 Messages

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