Finally used the lift - Mini coolant leak.

[FC]

Originally Posted by bren

Talk about gloves being annoying - I had to find a lost latex finger during the vette engine tear down.

Ugh. That suuuuuuucks.

That's what I don't like about exam gloves. They tear easily, and after a while my hands feel nasty and sweaty.

I like mechanics gloves more for moving heavy things or torquing down things where I could smash a knuckle.

[clyde]

Originally Posted by bren

Talk about gloves being annoying - I had to find a lost latex finger during the vette engine tear down.

Dude, don't finger your car.

[kognito]

at least the latex finger was empty

[clyde]

Originally Posted by kognito

at least the latex finger was empty

[FC]

Well, got to use the lift for real this weekend. No leaks on the fixed coolant system so I flushed the distilled water and added antifreeze. Also did an oil and air filter change and changed the rear brakes, pads and sensor.

The rear calipers have that annoying twist and push system for the piston, so you need a tool to make life easier (I bought that ahead of time). The PITA was the sensor. The freakin' cable is 4 feet long and is routed to the bowels of the chassis, and requires cutting three tie wraps which are a PITA to replace due to access.

Anyhow, did a brake fluid flush too, and that was interesting. I'm used to new brake fluid looking like clean vegetable cooking oil. The BMW/Mini stuff looks like olive oil - closer to what used brake fluid looks like, in my experience. Anyhow, the old stuff looked almost brownish. Sadly, I did not get a noticeable improvement in brake feel/pedal firmness, though with the new hardware, the car does fell better and seems to stop better (my wife thinks it's a huge improvement).

Very happy wit the lift and the garage setup (though now I realize I have to relocate a few times within the garage). The brake job and flush went by quickly with all wheels off the car simultaneously and at a comfortable height. Taking off/putting on wheels is a joke too.

[JST]

Originally Posted by FC

Well, got to use the lift for real this weekend. No leaks on the fixed coolant system so I flushed the distilled water and added antifreeze. Also did an oil and air filter change and changed the rear brakes, pads and sensor.

The rear calipers have that annoying twist and push system for the piston, so you need a tool to make life easier (I bought that ahead of time). The PITA was the sensor. The freakin' cable is 4 feet long and is routed to the bowels of the chassis, and requires cutting three tie wraps which are a PITA to replace due to access.

Anyhow, did a brake fluid flush too, and that was interesting. I'm used to new brake fluid looking like clean vegetable cooking oil. The BMW/Mini stuff looks like olive oil - closer to what used brake fluid looks like, in my experience. Anyhow, the old stuff looked almost brownish. Sadly, I did not get a noticeable improvement in brake feel/pedal firmness, though with the new hardware, the car does fell better and seems to stop better (my wife thinks it's a huge improvement).

Very happy wit the lift and the garage setup (though now I realize I have to relocate a few times within the garage). The brake job and flush went by quickly with all wheels off the car simultaneously and at a comfortable height. Taking off/putting on wheels is a joke too.

Wouldn't you rather be working on this?

http://bringatrailer.com/2014/10/26/...z-190e-2-3-16/

[FC]

Originally Posted by JST

Wouldn't you rather be working on this?

http://bringatrailer.com/2014/10/26/...z-190e-2-3-16/

That looks awesome. But after all the money spent on the garage, I'll have to pass on stuff like that for a while.

[JST]

Originally Posted by FC

That looks awesome. But after all the money spent on the garage, I'll have to pass on stuff like that for a while.

Not if you sold me your Turbo.

[FC]

Originally Posted by JST

Not if you sold me your Turbo.

That possibility is non-zero if I'm honest, but I hope to delay it as much as possible.

[John V]

You bought BMW / Mini brake fluid?!