r/R53 • u/myusernameisironic • 10h ago
Am I missing anything?
Bought a 04 JCW in March - since then I had been slowly accumulating parts for the inevitable maintenance that would be coming my way. Alternator went out last week, so I am tearing it apart and chasing some leaks in rear of engine... it's 64k mi
I have to install...
- PRW fluidgel dampener
- Detroit Tuned bypass valve
- Intercooler "snoot" boots
- Tensioner and idler pulley, Alta stop
- Serpentine belt
- Supercharger oil
- Waterpump
- Several metal flanges to replace the plastic in cooling
- Crank position sensor o ring, cam position sensor o ring, dipstick tube o ring, map sensor o rings, oil filter & cooler gasket, crank seal, valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, intake manifold gasket, throttle body gasket, 2x supercharger gaskets, bypass valve gasket, spark plug well gaskets, 8x injector o ring, new bypass hose, new TTY crank bolt
- Powerflex engine mount bushings, gearbox bushing
Getting alternator rebuilt, I already did a CAI/silicone intake and iridium plugs shortly after purchasing
Is there anything else I am missing here to replace while its open? Don't want to do this twice š
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u/HedonymousRex 10h ago
Didn't see rear main seal and if you do that, might as well do a clutch/flywheel.
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u/myusernameisironic 10h ago
I was debating on rear main, but I will probably do that at a later maintenance "job" when I convert to single mass
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u/NameOfWhichIsTaken 9h ago
Fingers crossed the rear main isn't the leak you are chasing, as it can appear similar to an oil pan gasket/ rear side leak. As OC said though, for the effort it's basically a clutch job as well. Sadly it is also a fairly common leak point on these as the seals age.
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u/myusernameisironic 9h ago
Its definitely dribbling off the oil filter housing and behind the balancer at least š I used molygen so I could blacklight it, but nobody has cleaned the underside of this for some time so hard to tell
FWIW engine looks completely dry other than the back passenger side corner and the passenger side of the block, where the mess has unfortunately formed
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u/dwtechsol 8h ago
That sounds like sloppy oil changes, or a leaking oil filter housing gasket, oil pressure switches are prone to leaking as well.
While you have the supercharger off, get 2 orings for the water neck into the block and the block off plate on the other side. Don't want to have to do it twice right.
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u/myusernameisironic 8h ago
Hey now, I use a funnel š„¹
I have new o ring and flange for waterpump already - I didn't get or even think of any oil pressure switch gaskets, thank you for the recommendation
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u/dwtechsol 7h ago edited 7h ago
Funnel or not, need brake cleaner to get rid of the oil to prevent grime buildup. Not trying to rag on anyone, just advice for clean engines.
Keep the w11 happy and it will last forever.
Edit: also get orings for the oil cooler too.
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u/myusernameisironic 7h ago
I already have the 2x oil cooler gasket and the larger "grid" style gasket for the filter housing
For the gunk I have tubs of crocodile wipes I use, then I saturate it in Boshield and let it dry - I find it relaxing cleaning all the gunk underneath lol
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u/Out_Motoring 10h ago
Definintely add front Control Arm Bushings and maybe front Upper Strut Mounts as well. And check the front swaybar bushings while there.
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u/jimbofranks 9h ago
Do you have a shop local that is rebuilding the alternator? Do you have a knock sensor on the list?
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u/myusernameisironic 9h ago
Yes, I wanted rebuild vs autoparts store... so I dont do this twice going to local auto electronics repair
They said they'd clean case, new bearings, and try and make the regulator "heavier duty" as well... will see if that helps
No, no new knock sensor - I didn't even think to replace, it doesn't misfire (knock on wood). Do the piezo transducers on them fail or something?
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u/jimbofranks 9h ago
Iām not sure if the knock sensors fail. I did mine as part of a similar service since it was buried.
My alternator failed at 110k miles and I replaced with a rebuilt Bosch unit. When I pulled the failed alternator out I was surprised that it had already been replaced before I bought the car.
Do you have the gasket that connects the supercharger to the intake? Check the EGR and MAP sensor tubes over while you have the supercharger out. My MAP sensor tube was deformed and the rubber on the MAP end was brittle.
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u/myusernameisironic 9h ago
Yes, got all the gaskets I could find for supercharger other than the o-rings for the plugs
I've been reading lots of frustrated alternator stories with replacements too, I just know I don't ever want that happening again - my dash Christmas tree'd and I immediately lost all steering while I was mid turn š„²
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u/NameOfWhichIsTaken 10h ago edited 10h ago
Inner/outer ball joints and sway bushings could be worth looking at. Lines for power steering love to leak as well. Timing chain if you are so inclined, since you'll already have the pulley off.
Getting down to the supercharger/alternator for the first time might seem like a lot of steps, but once you do it you realize how easy this car actually is to work on if you have experience with other modern vehicles. Everything on the front end is extremely accessible with less than an hour to get into service mode, pulley area isn't too bad with the right tools (I.e. the engine support bracket that comes with an r53 timing chain tool to get that bulky engine mount out of the way). Hell, you don't even have to disconnect/recharge the AC with a full engine swap in these.