2003 Mini Cooper S "R53"
I have a coolant leak, I replace the thermostat housing and refilled coolant and found it to be leaking from what appeared to be the water pump. I pulled the front end, and got the water pump out. O-ring looked a bit sketchy where it connects to the flange that sits on the engine. I pulled apart the water pump and everything looked ok. I thought about it and decided to do a test on the water pump. I plugged the holes and positioned the pump as it would sit when properly connected and filled it with water. After about 30 seconds some drips started to make their way out of the pump from two places. The first being the "weep" hole and the second being the small cylinder that sits directly below the cylinder that mounts to the supercharger. Anybody else experienced this? Do I need to just replace the water pump? Thanks in advance for the help!

 

If it leaks out the weep hole (there can often be dried coolant stains) the internal seals are failing... True for any water pump...to be honest...if you dug deep enough to look at the pump, I'd change it if I had ANY doubt's...
The tank is the next suspect....
Then the radiator itself...where the core is heat welded to the plastic sides....

 

Thanks, the tank and all other areas look ok. I spent a really long time narrowing this down before I posted to get advice. lol Do the seals tend to fail over time? I am at 87,000 miles.

 

PS Anybody got a recommendation for where I should buy the new water pump and flange?

 

I would replace the pump since you are there. Check around on prices, some good places are Rockauto, partsgeek, Autohaus. You might even find a good price for one on Ebay and they all sell OEM stuff. If you buy it from a MINI dealer prepare to bend over and grab your ankles.

Example Ebay shipped to your door price: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Cooper-S-Convertible-R52-R53-Engine-Water-Pump-Brand-New-/261185896178?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACooper&hash=item3ccfe47ef2&vxp=mtr

 

How does this deal look? Any reason to stay away from a "Gates" water pump? http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2003-C...ing/ES1981488/

 

That's a good deal Gates is OEM, just make sure they are not raping you on shipping, hell if its cheaper than $85 with shipping I would be all over that.

 

That's where I got mine. They had to source it at the time, so shipping took a little longer, but it looks like it's in stock now.

 

Just ordered it, I'm hoping this fixes the problem. I'm ready to get my car back on the road!!!!!

 

Good luck, update and let us know how it goes.

 

will do!