I replaced my Cooper's thermostat, thermostat gasket and thermostat housing today on my MINI (R50) and I just loaded a How-To article in the Library. How to replace the thermostat, thermostat housing and thermostat gasket on an R50 Feel free to kibitz and please comment if you see anything I need to correct.
"A" doesn't have a clamp because it is the overflow hose, so little to no pressure.... A set of these makes getting clamps off a world easier, especially on an R53 or R56.....
Very nice how-to write up Steve! Dave do you have a link to where one could find the tool you've recommended?
I saw that tool at my local Advance Auto. Thought about buying it but decided it was another single-tasker tool and, though I look forward to finding an excuse to buy a new tool every time I start a new project, I didn't want to fork out the cash when I could visualize a way to move those clamps with something I already own. The spring clamps are fairly simple, though that tool would make it much easier to access some of them without having to move a bunch of other crap just so you can get some pliers in position. But the main problem I would expect with that tool is lack of leverage. Once I had my spring clamps fully depressed I still had to struggle mightily to move one of them along the hose past the bump over the flange. I don't see a way to apply a significant amount of lateral leverage with that tool. So, pros and cons...as usual. :smilewinkgrin:
The clamp pliers work really well, once you've got the pliers in place on the clamp and squeeze it, it locks in place, so you can easily maneuver the clamp off the hose. It's much worse on an R53, on those it makes the job possible compared to difficult to impossible without them. You can buy these pliers from Sears or many auto parts stores. I think I paid $20 for mine. There are several styles and I think they'll all work, but the handles on the cheap ones are flat and will hurt your hands, the better ones the handle is rounded over and much easier to grip and squeeze. It's definitely one of those tools that when you need it, you really need it!