Hi mate,
1: Boxes were changed to Getrag in July ’04, you lucky thing!
2: I’ll let someone else answer…but check brake fluid level, tyre pressure etc.
3: Probably hasn’t been used in a while, AirCon may need re-gassing. But if rattling, at least you know it’s working.
4: This is common - check the PS Fluid level. They do like to leak a bit. You’ll hear the pump whining when driving, and as long as you can feel the power steering working, it hasn’t failed. Yet.
5: Common oil leaks are Crank sensor O-Ring, rocker cover gasket, oil pan gasket…all of these could be contributing to oil collecting on the bottom of the sump. None of them are terminal but you do want to get on top of them in time. I believe crank sensor o-ring is most common, as well as oil filter housing gasket.
6: I think 100,000+ is good to do timing chain. Listen for ticks/rattles around top right of engine, that’ll let you know if things are off in there. The ‘timing chain death rattle’ will occur when the tensioner is failing…will make the engine sound like a diesel, if only intermittently. gearbox oil is definitely good to do, and quite easy…make sure you use MTF-LT-3 spec for those Getrag boxes…I bought Red Line D6 ATF, which is smooooooth.
I have an ’05 Cooper and have been nursing it back to health for the last two years - they are massively rewarding when you take care of them bit by bit.
1: Boxes were changed to Getrag in July ’04, you lucky thing!
2: I’ll let someone else answer…but check brake fluid level, tyre pressure etc.
3: Probably hasn’t been used in a while, AirCon may need re-gassing. But if rattling, at least you know it’s working.
4: This is common - check the PS Fluid level. They do like to leak a bit. You’ll hear the pump whining when driving, and as long as you can feel the power steering working, it hasn’t failed. Yet.
5: Common oil leaks are Crank sensor O-Ring, rocker cover gasket, oil pan gasket…all of these could be contributing to oil collecting on the bottom of the sump. None of them are terminal but you do want to get on top of them in time. I believe crank sensor o-ring is most common, as well as oil filter housing gasket.
6: I think 100,000+ is good to do timing chain. Listen for ticks/rattles around top right of engine, that’ll let you know if things are off in there. The ‘timing chain death rattle’ will occur when the tensioner is failing…will make the engine sound like a diesel, if only intermittently. gearbox oil is definitely good to do, and quite easy…make sure you use MTF-LT-3 spec for those Getrag boxes…I bought Red Line D6 ATF, which is smooooooth.
I have an ’05 Cooper and have been nursing it back to health for the last two years - they are massively rewarding when you take care of them bit by bit.
