Hi,
I had the local MINI dealer install my new tire recently. While it was on the rack, I am told that the thermostat had a slow leak/was dripping. THey told me it was not a safety hazard at this time, but, told me to keep an eye on the coolant level. I checked by garage floor (after overnight) and did not see any coolant on the floor, so, it must be a very slow leak.
The estimate they gave me was $625, of which $180 was parts. My question, how difficult is it to replace the thermostat myself? I have not looked under the hood yet, but, was told by the service manager that it is an independent "ball" looking thing that was outside the engine (not under a "traditional" thermostat housing) that is the thermostat. Can anyone tell me if I can see the thermostat without totally disassembling my engine?
THanks
Lee

 

What year is your MINI. Way Motor Works has them for the R53 and R56.
$43-$104 respectively.
There is probably a DIY in the help section if you can turn a wrench, save yourself some $. Takes a little time, but not that hard, Good luck.

 

Wow, that much for a thermostat for a Mini? I have a 180 thermostat for my Challenger for $34. I did the install myself -- took four hands (two people) and about 20/30 minutes. I was looking to do the same on the MCS ...

It might be something simple like the gasket broke ...

 

Just purchased a thermostat and housing for my 04 MCS for $65 and will spend a couple hours tops installing it in between beer breaks in my garage. Mini dealership charging $625 for that is an absolute stone cold rip off in my opinion.

How to here : https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...at-change.html

 

$6+ is a rip. I did have Mini of Pensacola change mine out while I was having them go through everything. This was shortly after I bought it back in August. I couldn't see the leak because it was slow and caught in the plate on the bottom of motor. 07 MCS by the way. Anyway, the entire diagnosis plus brake fluid flush plus thermostat and new coolant and pressure tested coolant was $450.
The 07 thermostat is about $104, looks like an artifical heart.

 

Thanks to everyone who responded! I will search the DIY archives for a thermostat replacement procedure. I am handy with a wrench, so, will probably give it a shot.

 

There is a link for a DIY in my post above.

 

Unfortunately, your link is for a 1st generation Mini, which has a different engine.

The link below is a thermostat replacement how to for a 2nd generation Mini:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hermostat.html

Good Luck!

 

Sorry, must have assumed the OP had a 1st. generation due to his handle -Surfin '02-

 

Great info. My check engine light is on and I check the code and has to do with the thermostat. So I will need to change it. Is their a high performance thermostat or it doesn't really matter with the oem, does it still work the same? If their is a higher performance, will it have any affects on the engine.

 

M7 sells one that opens at 180 I think, whether it helps performance is questionable though.

 

Thanks I'll check that out.


Edit. I just check and it's only for r53.

 

To answer your question directly, it is very tough to see. You have to take off the air intake just to get a glimpse. Then it has all sorts of hoses and wires in the way. I don't know how you "keep an eye on it" except for watching for leaking underneath and checking the coolant level.

Mine started leaking slowly. I only found out about it when I got an engine code that I found was related to the low coolant.

I topped it up and within days I have a huge coolant puddle under the car. It seems the thermostat housing's seam gave way. Apparently this is a common problem.

I replaced mine myself (used the DIY referenced below for the R56, NOT JCWslayer's R53 DIY). I also commented in that thread after I did it, since I found the instructions somewhat skimpy. It took me about 2 to 3 hours of work time on the car to do it. I'm not a professional mechanic, but I am a hobbyist that has restored vintage cars, etc. Unless you have some pretty good mechanical aptitude and are very careful, I wouldn't suggest you attempt it.