I am new to the forum and would appreciate a list of items that many of you have had problems with so that I can "update" my 2003 MCS before I experience them. One item I read about was some part that fails and causes the clutch to "collapse". Any other clutch/tranny usual fail items, or others?

 

I'd like to see a populated list as well, so I'll start by giving my $.02

.01 - If your car has a sunroof, fix the flexible tubes in place with tie straps BEFORE they come loose.

.02 - consider adding something along the lines of the M7 anti-mushrooming plates to help prevent (or if required - to correct) shock tower mushrooming.

.03 - periodically ensure that the power steering pump cooling fan is in good working order. Lose it and count on a new pump.

.04 - periodically check supercharger gear box oil level. If it runs dry, the gear set that drives the H2O pump will trash itself, necessitating a new super charger as the gears are not individually available. (I'm still intend to devise a quick check method myself, as this is a pain in the butt).

OK, so that was $.04 worth, but I think they are worth mentioning. I have several more, but no time left right now. Be back later.

 

juaclark

Please elaborate more on your no. 1, the tie wraps for the sunroof drains... how is it best to gain access.

I also will be working out some sort of means of checking and adding SC gear oil one of these days.

YD

 

YD,

It isn't easy, as there is not much space to work without damaging the headliner, but the short of it is:

1. remove sunroof interior surround. It simply pops out when pulled toward the center of the sunroof opening. I start from the front. Be sure to disconnect the sunroof switch harness.

2. Pry down on the headliner being carful on to crease it.

3. Locate rubber connecting tubes (toward the front of the car) and manipulate tie wraps into position on each end and pull tight. This is the hardest part, again due to the limited flexibility of the headliner. Another solution may be the use of some type of adhesive.

This would be very simple if the headliner were dropped, but I can't figure how to do it without removing the A pillar covers, which by the manual, must be replaced if removed due to their integration with the SRS system.

 

Thanks, so the issue is that if the tubes come loose, water will flood your headliner?

How often does this happen?

YD

 

In my case, the floors got soaked. The hard pipes in the sunroof well point toward the front and side of the vehicle, directing water toward the interior of the a-pillar. I only knew when I noticed water drops showing on the plastic kick panel adjacent to the footwell after wahing or a rain shower. 99% of the water flowed behind the interior panels and under the carpet - which soaks it up very well. I didn't want to have to strip the car out again in the future, so I strapped the tubes in place. This may not be a 100% cure, but it does make it more difficult for them to slip free. From what I can tell, it isn't uncommon as you'll find quite a few posts here concerning this.