Hey all!

I've been a lurker for quite some time and have received good information on repairs here. This time I have a problem I can't find much info about.

I live in Canada and the closest mini dealership is 1.5 hours away. I'd prefer not to take it to the dealer if I don't have to.

I have an 03 mini cooper. I first noticed a problem when the windshield fogged and smelled of antifreeze really bad. The antifreeze was down and I couldn't find any antifreeze anywhere under the hood. I took the mats out of the drivers side and sure enough its soaked with antifreeze. The passenger side was dry.

Does this sound like I need to replace the entire heater core or could it be something smaller or??

I called the dealership in Halifax,NS they said with in 10 years they've never had to change a heater core and that the parts are special order. $171 +15% tax. He of course wanted me to bring the car in but I figured I could likely get the new heater core and have it fixed elsewhere for less then the cost of their shop just to look at it.

I dunno, you guys are the experts here! What do you think?

Thanks a bunch!

 

Radiator shops sell heaters too, it's just a little radiator. Some also repair leaking heater cores, call around. An independent repair shop could install it for you.

In the meantime, put some radiator stop leak in when you top off the coolant, as a temporary fix.

Dave

 

start small and check the hoses . . .

could be one chafed thru or simply a loose connection . . .

on a justa you need to pull the battery tray and then can see the firewall penetrations for the heater (so says Haynes). Then look to the otherside of the firewall.

there should be a cover under the carpet on the pass' side (sorry that's pass' for a UK model, driver's for US) that comes off via 3 torx screws (top one very hard to access) and there's the connections to the matrix. Possible that's where the leak is.

 

I have an 04 S, same thing happened to me, it was the heater core.

Had it replaced and all was fine, core is about $150 plus labor, had it done at an independant shop.

Good luck,

Bill

 

Thanks for the replies!

I have since taken the the black panel off from inside the drivers side and have access to the heater core. The two pipes are fine, it appears to be leaking from the bottom left corner of the heater core itself. Is that something that can be repaired or do I need a new one?

Some one suggested I may be able to use a different model heater core and change some of the piping to rubber so it would match the "new" heater core. Any thoughts?

Does anyone know where I could buy an oem heater core for less then the $200 from my dealer(keeping in mind I am from Canada)?

I put stop leak in but havn't really driven it since(10km ish). It still stunk when I started it earlier today.

 

Unfortunately the part is the cheap part....the hours of labor is the killer....
IMO just get the part that you know will fit...so the mechanic that is getting paid $$$ per hour will not have to mess with it to make it fit. You might save $25 on the part....and spend an extra hour to make it fit....so get the OEM. Aftermarket might fit if it says 100% compatible....but if the dealer has never had to replace one before....you KNOW they are built well!!

 

Thanks for the advise. I can't see the labour being too bad from what I can see by looking at it. Could probably almost do it myself...maybe...we'll see. If not I've got a good mechanic that has a good rate and works for cash. Unfortunately money is a little tight right now so any amount of savings is helpful for me. That being said I don't want to go mickey mouse style either

 

2004 MCS, 146k miles

heater core failed on cross country trip

repairs just over $600, part was $140

removal and replacement of the dash is required

i do hope when I pick it up this coming weekend that I shall find the car is still without squeaks...

c'est la vie n'est-ca pas?

more here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...reat-save.html

 

i don't think the dash etc has to be taken apart to change this. I could be wrong.

I found this pic on this forum and it's exactly what my car is like to get at the heater core.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-foto0334.jpg

To me it looks like a simple pop it out and pop the new one in. With a few more steps of course. looks easy enough to access though unless there is something i don't see.

Is the install kit necessary?

 

The dash does not have to be pulled apart, just the piece of plastic covering the heater core. Cost me $380 at the stealership,

 

hmmm....

i'll take note of the labor hours in this case, and see if i can understand a bit better just what is entailed.

thanks,

charlie

 

I was talking with a guy and he said one of his co-workers replaced a heater core last week(I think it was a new model) and the dash ect had to be taken apart. Cost $1100. I thought that was a little steep. Specially since it wasn't done at the dealership!

I have the part ordered for mine. Should be here next week. I took the cover off, showed my mechanic where the heater core was and he said he could likely have it done in a couple hours.

 

well i can tell you for sure r50/53 the dash doesn't have to be taken apart.

 

yep

Haynes says nothing about removing the dash - for a GEN1

they do mention being sure you also use new seals

 

3.5 shop hours for mine - no squeaks, no leaks, good heat.

just in time (41 degrees this morning)

according to Bentley (short version)
1. under the hood - pull air filter housing, disconnect hoses through firewall, blow coolant out of core thru hoses
2. under drivers side dash - detach interior trim, remove cover from housing, unmount heater core, slide out, remove
3. re-assemble with new core

no dash removal required - that is necessary to change the housing, but the core is accessible without all that drama

3.5 hrs seems a little high, but Bentley always makes things look simple so I reserve judgement

cheers,

Charlie