Lots of how to's but I got tired of looking for the *why*.

I am replacing my radiator and condenser at the moment after running the car into an object recently. I pulled both of them off no problem only to read about front service mode.

Is my car going to blow up by not putting it in said mode?

Thanks.

 

Access. Makes it easier to get to various engine parts as things are pretty tight.

 

In order to get to a lot of front suspension components, power steering pump, oil pan gasket, etc, etc.......the front sub frame has to be dropped out. In order to do that.....the whole front end has to come off (service mode).

 

The front service mode removes the bumper cover, the bumper carrier, crush tubes and under engine plastic covers and does not include dropping the front sub-frame. This allows access to the radiator, condenser, front of engine access and various hoses. If you could accomplish rad and condenser replacement without doing the service mode, perhaps you could write up a DIY.. Putting your car into front service mode is about a 20 minute job (after you've done it once) and makes things a lot more convenient

 

Hey everyone, thanks.

Instead of a writeup, I can confirm that I used this guy's method on youtube without any hassle.

Was this incorrect? No stranger to turning wrenches, but could doing it this way wreck my vehicle?

 

What that video shows is exactly what 'service mode' is!

 

Oh ok, good deal! Thanks.

 

The only aspect of 'service mode' that the video does not demonstrate is the use of two threaded spacers or bolts that allow you to create a gap between the radiator surround and the front of the engine, which is necessary for some service procedures such as removing the alternator and replacing the crank position sensor o-ring. Yes, I'm sure some will claim that these can be done without the gap, but I have found it best to put my car in full service mode at least 15 times over the years for such repairs.

 

I completely agree with ^^ This ^^ , while Service Mode is very easy and worth it for many operations, for those like mentioned above, where you just need a little extra space, why drain, refill and bleed the coolant. (Esp since we don't have a petcock, for mess free draining.)

 

Thanks for taking the time to further articulate.

 

Messy for sure.

The first time I drained and refilled my coolant I couldn't believe what a lousy design the bleeder screw is because it's unavoidable to get hot coolant splattered all about, and adding to that is I had big trouble trying to purge out all the air so I was flushing out a rather massive amount trying to get rid of the bubbles.

After that experience I tried to find an elegant solution for the lousy stock design and finally settled on using a brake bleeder repair kit which threaded in perfectly and I sealed it up with some high temp sealant. The end result ain't exactly elegant, but it is functional and makes for mess-free purging. I connect a long clear hose to the nipple and put the other end in a bucket to catch the coolant.

 

Great idea. But one of the biggest shortcomings of the Mini cooling system remains that there is no petcock near the junction of the radiator and lower hose.

 

If you drain just using the lower rad hose, there is still quite a bit of coolant remaining in the system. I force more out by sing my shop vac blowing air into the expansion tank to force more old coolant out the system.