Hi,

I have read every thread here (some great write ups) on the
auto trans service. Not much room at the filler plug to take
on and off.

See the manual on how to remove the valve cover.
There is a plastic piece that holds wires on the driver
side of the engine. There is an 8 mm bolt, and it slides up.
You have to do this to remove the valve cover.

If you do that and you also rotate the hose clamp on the coolant
output there is enough room to get a
normal T55 torx socket and swivel with a socket extension between
the two coolant hoses. You have to put the torx and swivel
on fisrt, then the socket extension.

This isn't even a knuckle buster. Plenty of room. I say plenty it
is a MINI LOL. But you get the idea.

Makes it not just possible but easy with a normal tool set.

Hope this helps anybody thinking about it.

 

Thanks for the info!