2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Coolant leak under HPFP/vacuum pump?

  1. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #3 Dave.0, Sep 8, 2013
    Yup and why does MINI use so much plastic...it's cheap and light but mostly cheap.
     
  2. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #4 Crashton, Sep 8, 2013
    Yes lots of plastic in our MINIs & every other car & truck on the road. Some advantages, you can cast an intake tract in ways that would be difficult or impossible to do in aluminium, yep it is cheap & light too. Disadvantages a plenty though. When that stuff gets old it is brittle. I wonder how these modern cars will be kept going when they are 25 or so years old.

    Back on topic leaking plastic parts....
     
  3. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #6 Crashton, Sep 8, 2013
    I agree with you. The thermostat housing is plastic on my 06, on my third one. It appears MINI did not improve the design on the newer cars.
     
  4. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #8 Nathan, Sep 8, 2013
    We'll be printing them.

    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD7yB9gZDIk&sns=em]The Future of OEM parts: 3D Printing replacement Car Parts? - YouTube[/ame]
     
  5. Systemlord

    Systemlord New Member

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    #10 Systemlord, Sep 10, 2013
    These thermostat housings are a ticking time bomb, even after you replace it!

    Stupid Mini, what the hell were they thinking? Better yet they don't even bothering with an improved design...

    This is the definition of negligence in car manufacturing, they should be slapped in the face by a cold dead wet fish!
     
  6. r34king

    r34king Member

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    #2 r34king, Sep 8, 2013
    Thermostat housing/ assembly
     
  7. Systemlord

    Systemlord New Member

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    #5 Systemlord, Sep 8, 2013
    Thank everyone for replying, is the main pump located under the thermostat housing? If it is is it a good idea to replace the main pump as well? I'm just under 50,000 miles. I appreciate the plastic intake manifold for its smooth inner surface and weight saving but these plastic parts for the coolant system is a failure on Mini's part! There are some things that shouldn't be plastic in an engine and the thermostat housing is one of those!
     
  8. Dave.0

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    #7 Dave.0, Sep 8, 2013
    I am also on my 3rd one, wait maybe its my 4th one, :idea: I don't know.
     
  9. Crashton

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    #9 Crashton, Sep 8, 2013
    Will that work for old burnt out smoking ECUs too?
     
  10. pcdude

    pcdude New Member

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    #11 pcdude, Jan 6, 2015
    I just discovered my 08 is now leaking under pressure. It was a challenge to find the leak because there's so much in the way of the housing. Mine seems to have a crack towards the rear of the housing along the seam. Anyone know how many liters of fluid are needed to change out the housing? It's mounted high in the system so I'm guessing we don't need to drain the system down too much. I'm guessing 1-2 liters and about the same in distilled water should do it.
     
  11. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #12 MCS02, Jan 6, 2015
    I can't help sorry but ill give you a bump
     
  12. oldbrokenwind

    oldbrokenwind Active Member

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    #13 oldbrokenwind, Jan 6, 2015
    Changed mine about a month ago. Dealer's SA suggested using some silicon sealant around the outer edge of the gasket --- helps retain a seal when the plastic starts to deform.

    Didn't measure the fluid qty --- fluid was fresh before leak was found, so it was saved, filtered and re-used. Very little was wasted.
     
  13. pcdude

    pcdude New Member

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    #14 pcdude, Jan 19, 2015
    I also filtered and reused the fluid. The water pump was replaced recently and the fluid was also replaced. Needed to top it off with about a liter due to coolant that was lost when the hoses were pulled off the thermostat housing.
    Great YouTube video of the replacement procedure worth watching if you need some tips.
    [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek4YJUvZTPc"]Replace R55/R56 MINI Thermostat Housing Cooper S / Clubman S P0597 OBD code - YouTube[/ame]