I just replaced the thermostat in a '12 countryman base. Dealing with the spring clip made me want to just throw the whole car away. I finally got it all put back together. Next up: wiring harness adapter. The harness plugs into the two sensors in the thermostat housing, but that leaves a 4 prong plug with no home. I do not see anywhere for it to plug in to. Also, are the two factor plugs for the smaller sensors supposed to just hang there? Any help is appreciated. the p/n for the harness Mini gave me is: 12517646145

 

To follow up and because I enjoy talking to myself. It turns out that there are some models that do not require the harness as there is no where for it to plug in to. I took photos and went up to MINI and showed them. They double checked the computer and it only showed the thermostat and the harness they originally sold me. Looking at the photos, they saw the problem. That's when a mechanic stopped in and said the system was wrong and that I needed a different thermostat and no harness. They got it all squared away and gave me the correct thermostat without making me go through the hassle of buying the new one and returning the old one for a refund and just let take it home and bring back the wrong one later. They also gave me a jug of coolant for free, so I guess that's a plus.

One of the mechanics showed me a trick for the spring clip on the water pipe if you're having issues with it. A small metal tube with a wire run through it and looped around the clip and back into the tube. Holds the clip firmly and doesn't take up as much room as needle nose pliers and allows you enough room to get in there and adjust the clip while holding it with said contraption.

 

Thanks for that info and the part number, not sure ill need to do this as I am just embarking on what seems to be a slight coolant leak (over the past week, my reservoir has dropped about 1/4". Looking at the carfax on my preowned countryman, the thermostat was replaced at 47k at MINI, (I have 50k on it, bought with 49k)....I suspect MAYBE my slight decline in coolant is from when I changed the oil recently and fluid leaked out of that tube when moving the reservoir, I might have disturbed that plastic and maybe its leaking, I just don't see any fluid??
So-I am staying tuned to any coolant threads hahaha.

Why do you think they sold you wrong part and appear kinda clueless about their own cars??

 

I did the thermostat housing on my 2015 R60 S ALL4. I agree, that clip is a major PITA. I ended up ordering a pack of 5 and used long needle nose pliers with a magnet attached to it. Glad you got the right part. I realized after I did mine that there was a recall on it and I likely could have had the dealer do it for free. Oh well, learned some things and gained some "character". Still love the car.

 

recall? recall on what? The thermostat? The waterpipe? Thanks!

 

There was an outstanding recall on the thermostat housing for my vehicle. They wont due it unless it is leaking. I was passed my extended warranty and didn't think to bring my car to the dealership as the cost is much higher than I would like.

 

Oh! I just replaced my thermostat myself. It was obviously cracked. I think we can send in the bills for this and get reimbursed just like the FRM. Where is the recall notice? Thank you!

 

I didn't have anything online, just after when I was having issues with the turbo I brought it to the dealer to see if it was involved in a recall (there was some murmurs online about that), but they told me the only part covered in a recall/extended maintenance was the thermostat housing (which I replaced 5 months prior).