Just finished replacing the head on my non-turbo '09 Clubman, while in there I did a new water-pump & the pipe between the pump and t-stat. When refilling the water it all came out the bottom. Upon inspection I found the joint between the stat & pipe to be the leak! After looking it over I found a large lump right in the "O" ring seat on the t-stat end. On the outside of the pipe opposite the "lump"is a circle which looks like it may be where a nozzle injected the plastic to make the part!
So, this is a warning to look over any water pipes you may be buying for your Mini's, this was bought from a well respected dealer I see on may forums, listed as a good place to buy!

 

Thanks for the warning, I have seen many posts on NAM recommending only OEM for this part. Lots of work only to see the part fail.

 

Did you use an OEM pipe, or aftermarket?

 

I did get an aftermarket one from rock auto, the replacement should be here tomorrow. Except for the flaw, the new one looked identical in every detail to the old one, could have come out of the same mold! But - - - - -

 

Yep, some of the aftermarket have some issues in production. Also you will have to grease the o ring on the aftermarkets as they run a hair larger then stock and have a tighter fit.

Here is the DIY and trick below.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...8-no-heat.html