I have had my 02 mcs since new and had only the minor problems with coolant tank leaks and a few others. Now I have "the leak" the water pump O ring leak. should I just clean up all the parts, replace the rings and hope for the best or is there a suggested improvement that I haven't found yet.
Second question is about unusual tire wear, A groove has worn on the insde corner of all four tires down to the steel belts. I cannot find any spot that they have rubbed on the car, Has anyone ever heard of this.

 

Your excessive tire wear description sounds like it might be due to improper toe settings. I'd have the alignment checked at a good alignment shop.

Can't help with the O-ring leak, but congratulations on your long tenure with the MCS

 

thanks for the input. Both my wife and I have 02 Mini's and have been fortunate with both. She's at 130k and mine is 71k. I just replaced my clutch since its so far apart for the coolant leak and was surprised to see the original was in fantastic condition. I debated putting it back together with the old one but decided against it. Having the engine out require an alingment after assembly as I understand so this with the new tires will hopefully fix the tire wear issue. One more word of warning to others. My car had a sudden evacuation of the A/C refrigerant last summer due to a short piece of rubber line rubbing through wear it contacted the clutch cylinder hard line near the front of the trans.