alright so I have a 2011 hardtop with the 1.6 (I'm pretty sure the motor is). well I replaced the thermostat sort of.... lol. when pulling the old unit the extended part of the thermostat housing wraps around the back and connects into a piece with a pin of some sort. I'm new to Mini/BMW so I'm all sorts of lost but I seem to have broke it anyone know what that part is called and how hard and how much of a pain it is to replace I need help asap thank you

 

That is the thermostat housing to Water pump pipe. It is about 50-70 but I'm sure you can find them cheaper on ebay.

 

By the way, it is easy to replace. It just slides into the water pump with no fittings or clips. I actually ran my arm down the back side of the engine (from where the thermostat housing is to the passenger side of the engine) until I found the water pump inlet so I could get an idea of how to feed the pipe.

 

I'm guessing the metal clip just pulls off well hopefully

 

It does. I would connect the pipe to the thermostat housing prior to install so you know how it fits then disconnect to install. It is very easy though. You can also Google diagrams to see how it fits.

 

Any ideas on how to get to it to replace it the easiest way cause the location seems really "fun"

 

The pipe literally just goes behind the engine, under the intake manifold and fits into the water pump. Shine a flashlight behind the engine. It will be tight but you can see the water pump inlet, it is silver, with a little searching.

 

Any bolts or anything I gotta worry about

 

No bolts. It holds itself in with rubber o-ring. You will see that on the pipe

 

Thank you for the help I will post again once I get the part they said it could be today to Monday so keeping my fingers crossed for sooner

 

Alright well it didn't work I can't seem to get the water pipe free from the back of the water pump there was a electric cable clipped into it but I freed that why is it so hard to free the o ring on the pipe to free it from the water pump maybe I just pulling the wrong way I don't understand haha one of the guys I know works at a dealer and they had a mini come in and he said when he changed the pump he had to drop the motor I'm hoping I won't have to do that

 

Here is the DIY if that helps. You need to get the thermostat out of place and then pull the clip and wiggle out the water pipe.

Water pipe wiggle:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hermostat.html

DIY:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hermostat.html

 

Thank you I did finally get it out and the new one couldn't believe how easy the new one seated! I had to cut the old on and push up and down till it finally released

 

Welcome, sounds like it just did not want to give up.

 

I've got to this now. CEL is throwing the code. Where did you get and what did you pay for the part? I hope I don't have any horror stories when I do mine!