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roll call, have you replaced your thermostat housing .
Stock Problems/IssuesDiscussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S(R56), and Cabrio (R57).
Expensive fix because of labor for over 3 hours. Part $140. It had hairline crack at bottom. I see an update of the part was issued several years ago but expected to last 50K. So, I guess I was doing well that my original lasted 110K. BTW my plastic water pump part was replaced under warranty around 36K. Would love to know if anyone thinks the new Clubman will be more reliable - these are not the only mechanical failures I've had due to no fault of mine further this is my second 'new' MINI since 2003 and it had similar odd failures.
The hairline crack is one of the most common descriptions of the faults. Plastic parts unfortunately.
For anyone looking to replace their cooling system components, we have some great kits and/or just the thermostats HERE accompanied with a DIY HERE.
I might have you all beat on this one
2009 Cooper S Clubman, only 37k miles
MAR 2014 @ 28.2k miles: replaced Thermostat + Housing ($655 @ Steven's Creek Mini in CA)
APR 2015 @ 34.1k miles: replaced Thermostat + Housing (N/C warranty repair)
NOV 2015 @ 37.2k miles: replaced Thermostat + Housing (they attempted to charge me $776, until I mentioned that it should be under warranty).
So, I'm on my 4th thermostat with less than 38,000 miles.
Also, in the past couple years had to replace the the AUX Pump (recall), Coolant Pump, and Cylinder Head Cover due to leaks.
Last edited by chris.dg; Nov 10, 2015 at 01:17 PM.
I think my wife's '09 JCW (a little over 50k miles) just got bit with this. I called the dealer for the part and they said they're backordered and they don't know when they might be able to sell me one because they're reserved for customer cars.
Yet it looks like Pelican, ECS, etc all have them in stock???
Dealer said, 'no way are those genuine MINI parts when we can't get them'.
We just ran out of stock on these, we did have them. We have the Bremmen parts version and the HT for aftermarket. Just another lower cost option, has all the same parts as the Genuine MINI one. We dont have a true ETA on the Genuine MINI , looks like MINI ran out and they will be in germany by the end of the week. Then a week or two to come from germany. Sorry for the delay.
This reminds me of that year Mini had no stock available for thermostat housing for several months, owners were unable to drive the Minis for several months, lawsuits were filed because owners had to rent a car for many months.
Dealerships were taking parts from brand new cars just to get Mini owners back on the road, Seems like German manufacturers never learn from there mistakes! If these were redesigned using aluminum there wouldn't be the need to make soo many and run out of them.
Just did the wife's at 93,000 miles.
I thought i had received the wrong one from NAPA. Turns out I needed a 40.00$ harness to make it work? My old housing didn't have the sensor in it. New one did.
Got it all hooked back up and replaced. Im still throwing the same PO599 code.
Any ideas?
Replacing mine for the second time after the one I ordered from ecs gets here Friday. I'm going to try something to hopefully help it last a little longer than 20k miles. Barge cement in the glued area gap?
Hi, folks. 2009 MINI Cooper S about 55,000 miles on it. I am the original owner. 6 speed manual.
Had zero coolant when the car went in for normal o/c etc. in the summer. What the???? I was shocked. The car was running great. I *thought* I only had to keep an eye on the OIL! Now I learn that I must watch coolant also.
Anyway, they saw a leak around the temperature sensor and replaced it. Then I saw the coolant level (which I now watch like a hawk!) dropping. The entire reservoir nearly emptied after 3.5 weeks. I took it back and left it there for 1.5 week so that they could see the drop for themselves (I took daily cell photos and sent them to the techs so they knew it wasn't my imagination). They found a tiny hairline crack on the thermostat housing so they replaced it and credited me the $ for the temperature sensor since they usually install as one unit (together) anyway. It's a good independent shop so I'm hopeful. In truth, I wouldn't still have the car if I had to hike to one of the two dealers in CT (each is an hour from me). Fingers crossed that they caught it! They said the thermostat leaks around the gasket more frequently than from a crack on the housing. *shrug*
^ Systemlord, forgive my ignorance, but what material is the housing made from? I asked the tech if it was plastic, but we got sidetracked and he never did answer me. Thanks!
" Fingers crossed that they caught it! They said the thermostat leaks around the gasket more frequently than from a crack on the housing."
Most I have worked on and seen leak at the seam on the bottom or close to it.
Bettehead-
Its like a composite plastic on my old one (2007) that is used similar core support matrial from what I saw. New ones looks like they are a little different plastic as the molding looked the same . Anyone cut there old one sideways ?
^ Thanks so much. Seems that the cost cutting is degrading the quality of the part. *sigh* I'm keeping a close eye on it.
Originally Posted by ECSTuning
" Fingers crossed that they caught it! They said the thermostat leaks around the gasket more frequently than from a crack on the housing."
Most I have worked on and seen leak at the seam on the bottom or close to it.
Bettehead-
Its like a composite plastic on my old one (2007) that is used similar core support matrial from what I saw. New ones looks like they are a little different plastic as the molding looked the same . Anyone cut there old one sideways ?
Welcome, you should be ok now, I did mine and its been fine ever since , and i racked up the miles after the change. Again some people have gone through a couple over the years. So keep an eye on it.
It would be real nice if someone would do a DIY on a Justa. I just finished and there is quite a few differences from the S. The hardest part was getting the clip back in the groove at the junction of the water pump pipe. No room for a mature hand.
Possible in the future, if I find another one I will link it, if you need anything in the short term let me know. The clip can be a pain no matter S or Cooper.
Replaced mine in my 2007 S model at almost 100,000 miles. Bought the part from a Mini dealer and used an independent. Cost me $95 for the part and $385 for the labor.
Just replaced my thermostat housing on my 2008 Mini Cooper S with 79200 miles. Sudden coolant leak and found coolant pooled on top of my transmission housing, which is located directly below the thermostat housing. I had it done at an Independent mechanic specializing in European cars for $462. Mini Cooper dealer quoted me $626 for stock model or $809 for a newer version needing an adapter for the sensor wiring!
The clip can be a pain no matter S or Cooper.
