Most liked posts in thread: What did you do with your MINI today?

Replaced the valve cover on my R55 N14.
Oozing from the right front corner and
dripping onto the downpipe area and there
was also a crack in the cover so I couldn’t
just do the gasket. Got to see the timing
chain and guides with the cover off so I’m
reassured that they look fine.

 

I've been amazingly busy for the past month or two on the weekends, so I decided to take a day off and just rest and do things that I enjoy. I got the MINI uncovered and hopped in to find that the battery was absolutely flat! I had forgotten to plug in the trickle charger and it looks like I left the dome light on. Oh well... maybe I'll get it out later this week.

 

Yep. But it's probably not great for the battery to do a complete discharge.... some numbnut just forgot to turn off the lights and plug in the trickle charger.

Oh yeah... the same numbnut left his keys on the back patio table last night (and, of course, it rained). I've got the keys in my cPAP dryer right now, just to make sure they are completely dry, but they did work.

 

My MINI key went through a wash an dry cycle in the laundry and it didn't hurt it at all.

 

I'm not sure, but my car is never really done. There is always something to do like service or upgrade. It's an on going project.

 

Glued the passenger side of the
rear sunroof perforated roller shade
back to the middle 1/8 inch of its
thin metal strip 1/2 inch at a time.
Only had to take the rear glass off to do it,
but otherwise the same job as post 11
of this thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/how-to/292952-how-to-replace-front-sunshade-sunscreen-r56-cooper-s.html#post4121501

$250 less than replacing the cartridge, and it
works pretty much like new. Hopefully the glue
will hold up.

 

I got Rufus out for a good hour or two drive on Saturday. I was able to hop in and just drive (no battery issues, etc).

It was a beautiful day, so afterwards he got a light dusting, an interior clean-up (a bit of dust accumulation) and a vac. He's snug under his cover again!

 

Put on rear WMW rear end links.
I had these on my previous MINI, too.
Same as Detroit Tuning and the
old TSW ones. Rubber boot enclosed
ends and steel construction. Should
last forever and won’t get dirty,
noisy or seize up like a lot of them do
(as my old Webb ones did).
I don’t have coil overs or lowering
springs, and I know the stock ones
are strong enough for even the 25.5mm
rear hollow bar I have, but I wanted them
anyway.
Only tricky part is tightening up the
adjusting bolts and keeping the angle
of the ends aligned at the same time.

 

Pulled it out of the garage and gave it a wash. Now all I need is to clean the engine compartment and that takes a while maybe next week.

 

Unfortunately, yes. The border is still closed. I was not able to do the Maryhill run with my PSMINI friends.

 

Replaced the front driveside signal marker light bulb. Noticed it had burned out and I happened to have a stash of spares in my tool box. Glad my hands are relatively small.

 

So we were joined by a classic Datsun 240Z, an old MG, and a modified Mazda3.
The Moke was stopped and the driver received a velocity certificate from Whiterock's speed inspectors. He got off with a warning. I think they pulled him because they didn't know what the car was. There was no way we were speeding at that location.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=234970024859946

 

Took Checkers to a new shop today. Had a problem with one of my gauges so I thought I try them and see how they would do. My 3 other shops I deal with are like 60 to 100 miles from me and it gets old taking 2 cars. It's a test to see if they can handle it. I use to do some of my own work but at my age it's easier to just pay for it besides you can't take it with you (money that is). According to my wife I will be buried with my car.

 

Automezzi Italian Car fest Golden Colorado, Simple album, nothing fancy for pictures, basics, lots of F, A, M, and a few outliers.

G Drive Album. Let me know if I need to update folder link permission more? Thanks..

Don

Altnernate link: to Automezzi Suiter

 

I can't get WAF (wife acceptance factor) for a bike. Maybe another Mini...

 

I'm 78 and have some medical issues, but not me my wife so I need to be a home and not riding or driving. Hell I only put a 150 miles on Checkers last year. I don't put 100 miles a month total counting all 3 cars. It's hard to keep the batteries charged up.

 

I started putting StaBil in my gas tanks a few months into COVID. The MINI gets a horribly small # of miles on it and my daily driver, a Volvo XC60 (small SUV) has only used 1.5 tank of gas in the past year and that includes a run to visit my mother which used 1 tank!

It's been over 2 years since I've done an oil change on either of those 2 cars, so I'm finally getting to it this weekend. The Volvo doesn't take synthetic, so that one really is past due.

 

beken I'm sorry your Mom has taken the turn to Alzheimers. Being with your parents is the best. I'm hoping you can have some good time with each other. You'll be in my thoughts.