Search found 35 matches

by KC MCS
Fri Feb 08, 2013 1:32 pm
Forum: Tribal Knowledge
Topic: Replacement battery for R53 (04 MCS)
Replies: 27
Views: 28836

Re: Replacement battery for R53 (04 MCS)

Yeah, I have a charger. That's a good idea, I'll go put it on there, let it go for a bit and see what I get.
by KC MCS
Fri Feb 08, 2013 12:18 pm
Forum: Tribal Knowledge
Topic: Replacement battery for R53 (04 MCS)
Replies: 27
Views: 28836

Re: Replacement battery for R53 (04 MCS)

Thanks everyone! I just got back from Standard. They installed the new battery for me and the total with tax was just over $76. They are nice people. I expected that the engine would turn over very quickly with the new battery, but it actually seems to take longer for it to start. I'm not sure at th...
by KC MCS
Fri Feb 08, 2013 9:20 am
Forum: Tribal Knowledge
Topic: Replacement battery for R53 (04 MCS)
Replies: 27
Views: 28836

Re: Replacement battery for R53 (04 MCS)

My '05 R53 had it's battery die last night...almost 7 1/2 years old, not too shabby! Anyway, calling all around this morning and pretty much everyone is at the $150 mark. Called Standard and they're $70. They said the battery is a house brand, but made by Johnson Controls who makes Interstate batter...
by KC MCS
Sun Feb 19, 2012 8:24 pm
Forum: Tribal Knowledge
Topic: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?
Replies: 45
Views: 27257

Re: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?

Well I might have an issue...today was the first day I was able to get the car out and about and I noticed something that is new. When at idle and sitting stationary for several minutes, the fan kicks on and with it I now get a very loud buzzing or humming noise temporarily then it goes away but the...
by KC MCS
Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:16 am
Forum: Tribal Knowledge
Topic: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?
Replies: 45
Views: 27257

Re: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?

Technically you could use longer ones, however you are limited by the length of the hoses for the radiator and other wiring. I had to go to Ace Hardware to find the bolts and the ones I bought, although they are 8m x 100, did not fit. I don't think the threads were correct.
by KC MCS
Sat Feb 18, 2012 4:14 pm
Forum: Tribal Knowledge
Topic: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?
Replies: 45
Views: 27257

Re: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?

Just finished replacing the crank sensor o-ring. Pretty easy. It took longer to clean off all the caked oil from all around under there than to put it in service mode and replace the o-ring. Here's hoping that fixes my leak!
by KC MCS
Fri Feb 17, 2012 6:28 am
Forum: Tribal Knowledge
Topic: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?
Replies: 45
Views: 27257

Re: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?

I haven't done it yet myself, no need until now. Here is a nice how to guide from NAM that I plan on using:

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/fo ... d-mfe.html
by KC MCS
Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:35 pm
Forum: Tribal Knowledge
Topic: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?
Replies: 45
Views: 27257

Re: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?

Gotcha, thanks! Based on their cost, I'll try replacing the o-ring first. I'm tempted to go with the ratchet strap method just because it's less to uninstall/reinstall and therefore faster. The only thing that concerns me is twisting the engine down like that - seems like not a very good idea, but t...
by KC MCS
Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:54 am
Forum: Tribal Knowledge
Topic: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?
Replies: 45
Views: 27257

Re: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?

Sorry, yes I do mean the crank pulley seal (#5), it was one that you mentioned earlier as a possibility, so for as inexpensive as they are and since I was at Baron anyway to get the crank sensor o-ring and a couple of oil filters, I grabbed one, so I do have one on hand. Dumb question, but you weren...
by KC MCS
Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:33 am
Forum: Tribal Knowledge
Topic: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?
Replies: 45
Views: 27257

Re: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?

I was able to finish everything I needed to get done except the crank pulley gasket, the crank sensor o-ring, the oil pan gasket, and a coolant flush. I changed out my rotors all around, put on new akebono pads all around, flushed the brake lines, changed my spark plugs, replaced my ignition wires, ...
by KC MCS
Thu Feb 09, 2012 11:16 am
Forum: Tribal Knowledge
Topic: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?
Replies: 45
Views: 27257

Re: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?

I went ahead and picked up a crank sensor o-ring, crank pulley gasket, and oil pan gasket at Baron this morning after I got my new tires mounted/balanced and the alignment done at Shore. I also have new brake pads for front/rear at home waiting to be installed, 4 new rotors on their way to my house ...
by KC MCS
Thu Feb 09, 2012 11:02 am
Forum: MINI Lounge
Topic: Alignment shop recommendations and cost?
Replies: 10
Views: 7521

Re: Alignment shop recommendations and cost?

So I got my new Conti DWS's installed and the 4-wheel alignment done at Shore this morning, with the $10 off coupon, my total with tax was $155! My MCS feels like a new car between the alignment and the new, quieter tires (I had them inflate to 38 lbs).
by KC MCS
Wed Feb 08, 2012 7:05 pm
Forum: MINI Lounge
Topic: Mobil 1 on sale at Costco
Replies: 3
Views: 3445

Re: Mobil 1 on sale at Costco

Confirmed today...$26.57 for 6 qts after the instant $10 off!
by KC MCS
Tue Feb 07, 2012 5:15 pm
Forum: MINI Lounge
Topic: Mobil 1 on sale at Costco
Replies: 3
Views: 3445

Mobil 1 on sale at Costco

FYI, for those of you who use Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 5w-30, Costco has a case (6 quarts) on sale for $10 off. I will be going there tomorrow to verify the price, but if memory serves me right, it's normally like $35, so with the sale going it should only be $25 for 6 quarts!
by KC MCS
Tue Feb 07, 2012 11:13 am
Forum: Tribal Knowledge
Topic: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?
Replies: 45
Views: 27257

Re: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?

I haven't replaced anything yet. I did see the 'ratchet strap' method to gain access to the crank sensor, and I'm no mechanic, but that just seems sketchy to pull the engine downward at an angle. On the other hand, if I have to put it into service mode, then what other things should I replace while ...
by KC MCS
Tue Feb 07, 2012 9:02 am
Forum: MINI Lounge
Topic: Alignment shop recommendations and cost?
Replies: 10
Views: 7521

Re: Alignment shop recommendations and cost?

Okay, well hopefully this will help other folks...I called around and here is what I found as far as prices for an alignment: Baron = $201.85 (very precise! :) ) George's Imports = $211 Hafkemeyer = They do not do alignments, but Uli said he takes them up to the Firestone on Wornall Rd Firestone (Wo...
by KC MCS
Tue Feb 07, 2012 8:31 am
Forum: Tribal Knowledge
Topic: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?
Replies: 45
Views: 27257

Re: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?

I looked up under the front clip last night and could see some on the pan like that too. I wiped it off best I could and I'll check it when I get home today to see if it is back. To see the crank pulley seal do I need to pull the pass tire and peel the wheel well back or can I see it just by jacking...
by KC MCS
Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:12 pm
Forum: MINI Lounge
Topic: Alignment shop recommendations and cost?
Replies: 10
Views: 7521

Re: Alignment shop recommendations and cost?

So did Baron still charge you since they couldn't do it? I'd hate to get into that position and end up having to pay twice! I had thought about Shore as well. I guess I could get the tires mounted/balanced at one place and go immediately (or very soon thereafter) and get an alignment done (although ...
by KC MCS
Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:05 pm
Forum: Tribal Knowledge
Topic: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?
Replies: 45
Views: 27257

Re: What's on the agenda for our next garage day?

When I changed my belt over the weekend I saw evidence of a leak somewhere. I posted on NAM earlier today and the crank sensor was one of the things folks mentioned, also the oil pan gasket and the valve cover gasket. I'm not setup to post pics on here, but I did post a couple in my NAM post, so her...
by KC MCS
Mon Feb 06, 2012 12:32 pm
Forum: MINI Lounge
Topic: Alignment shop recommendations and cost?
Replies: 10
Views: 7521

Alignment shop recommendations and cost?

Hey all... I just swapped out my serpentine belt on Saturday morning - wow, was it bad!!! Anyway, while I had the time and setup going I figured I'd go ahead and rotate my tires. I pulled the passenger rear off and was shocked to see the wear on it. It was so bad that I didn't want to put it in the ...
by KC MCS
Sat Sep 18, 2010 1:27 pm
Forum: MINI Lounge
Topic: WRC MINI Countryman in action.
Replies: 5
Views: 3027

Re: WRC MINI Countryman in action.

Very cool, although I think the guy in red taking pictures at ~1:49 must have a death wish!
by KC MCS
Sun Sep 12, 2010 9:01 am
Forum: MINI Lounge
Topic: Local source for Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid?
Replies: 18
Views: 9983

Re: Local source for Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid?

Well the 0100 European model indicates it fits BMW's (along with pretty much every other European mfg). I was just trying to determine if it was the same model you had purchased in case I can snag a used one on auction or CL. I did a little further checking and it looks like it is probably the 0100 ...
by KC MCS
Sat Sep 11, 2010 7:08 pm
Forum: MINI Lounge
Topic: Local source for Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid?
Replies: 18
Views: 9983

Re: Local source for Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid?

Hagar46 wrote:I'm the one who donated the brake bleeder kit. It makes it a one person job. See this link: http://www.motiveproducts.com/?gclid=CM ... 7Aod5zN_Ig
Is it the 0100 model you have? The one for European cars?
by KC MCS
Wed Sep 08, 2010 10:23 am
Forum: MINI Lounge
Topic: Local source for Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid?
Replies: 18
Views: 9983

Re: Local source for Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid?

Yeah, I know the zinc coating will wear off where the pads meet the rotors but will remain everywhere they don't to help cut down/prevent/reduce rusting. These are more expensive than plain jane stock rotors, but not overly so IMO at an average of $50 per rotor shipped. I agree with you on the fluid...
by KC MCS
Wed Sep 08, 2010 6:27 am
Forum: MINI Lounge
Topic: Local source for Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid?
Replies: 18
Views: 9983

Re: Local source for Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid?

And I just happen to have a gift card from Christmas for Harbor Freight that I haven't used so that'd be perfect! :) I have also been communicating with a person at Trinet Motorsports about their rotors to try and get a better feel for them. They ARE in fact Centric rotors. They buy them as plain ro...