Hey all,

So my coolant bleed screw snapped with half of it in the housing. Later type housing with the wide screw and the O ring on top. Can't believe they used a plastic screw for this.

I really, REALLY don't want to replace this thing again, it was a bear (probably due to my big bear paws, sigh), that and it'd take valuable time I don't have much of at the moment. Any ideas for safely removing the bottom half of the screw so I can put in a new 'un, without screwing up the housing?

As always, thanks in advance, and happy motoring everyone!

Cheers.

 

Got it! 1/4" chisel. Gave it a few gentle taps to gain purchase and then backed it right out.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=tcGQpjCztgA

 

FYI they make a brass one.

 

Who does, Mini? All I'm seeing on their page is the plastic one. Isn't it just a 1.5CM m10 screw with an O ring on it?

Thanks

 

I don't know where it can be found. But it exists. Try ECS tuning.

 

There is a brass one for Gen 1 MINI that I know of.

Otherwise, there is this for the Gen 2, This is a special designed vent screw that on the thermostat.

11537559883


https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11537559883/

 

I guess the big question is: does it leak? If it broke after bleeding and you were tightening it, then I would leave it and buy a replacement. Wait for warmer weather to fix it.

Another option is is to take a small flat blade screwdriver, heat it with a torch, and let the screwdriver melt its way into the screw. Cool it off with water and then unscrew it. It's kinda the last option if the end of the screw gets mangled with the other methods.

Good luck,
mike

 

Oh yeah, it definitely leaked, pretty bad. The top half popped off, and the bottom was still in the housing. Used a 1/4" chisel to remove it, a couple gentle taps to gain purchase and then unscrewed it using the chisel as a screwdriver.

Got a new plastic screw from the dealer, wish I could find a brass one for the gen 2.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V3XAWN8...SIN=B00V3XAWN8

 

On 2012 r56 Cooper clubman S, the bleeder screw snapped in half when unscrewing.

I attempted to remove it with a screw extraction set, the “housing” that the bleeder screw screws into is now cracked

what part / name I s the “housing”?

thx

 

I just did the same last month. The replacement is pretty straight forward. Because the bleed screw is plastic and will degrade over time, I would recommend picking up spare screws and replacing them annually. You can find the replacement bleed screws at any advanceoriellyzone.

I ordered my replacement thermostat housing through FCP Euro. I have used their lifetime replacement before, and it cannot be beat. If the thermostat housing fails again, it will be free.

Part# 11538674895

FCPEuro: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/min...le-11538674895