Ooh...is that all it is?
Can you just replace the gasket or is it part of the new thermostat?

 

Yes that's it. I do not think the Plasic housing is defective, but in combination with the thermostat gasket (gasket is part of the thermostat)it may be poorly designed. The housing does not sit directly against the block, but stands off a bit on the brass sleves making a gasket sandwitch. The gasket material probably shrinks over time and the leak starts.
If I was broke I would file the brass sleves flush to the housing face, clean everything and reinstall.

 

Mine was replaced at 20k after the thermostat stuck closed.

2011 cooper s

Sean

 

no, whole part yours is 2nd gen, pic is of 1st gen.

 

I replaced mine today, and now my car won't stay on.

 

Are you certain you plugged the connections in correctly? They don't match up colors. I don't remember which but I know only one of the three matches to its corresponding color. The other two, blue and brown maybe, are switched. That could be your problem.

 

Just did mine today. Started up first time and bleeding system now. I labeled all connections to be certain I connected them back properly.

 

Hi R56BrgMcs. Thanks for the picture. So that intimidating, strange-looking little object what all the fuss is about!
You seem to have 'sussed' it and been careful about labelling. Posts about 'bleeding' the R56 seem to assume different levels of skill.
If possible, please would you mind sharing any techniques + methods that worked for you and didn't rely on prior knowledge? eg how many turns to open the main bleed screw, bleed order and position of other bleed points, whether you put it all back together first or bleed as you reassemble etc. etc.
(You know, all the things you realize could have 'helped the process along' in hindsight: I know all of us who are nervously dipping our toes in would be really grateful.)
TIA

 

I would say the biggest part of the job was all the reading of other peoples threads and how-to's. I used the search button, typed in "thermostat", picked a thread, read it and moved onto the next one. Thanks NAM community. The removal and installation was pretty straight forward. I waited to remove the housing until I had the new one in hand so I could see where the three bolts are located and so i could see exactly what I was removing. I also opened the bleed screw to see how much I could safely turn it. When I bled the coolant system, I re-installed everything and made sure everything was back together where it should be(labeling made this very easy.) I then used the search button for bleeding the coolant.
What I did was:
1-open bleed screw on top of housing
2-remove expansion tank cap and fill to max line
3-turn car on, but not start it, nothing really was happening
4-started car with bleed screw open and expansion tank cap off
5-jammed my big left hand between expansion tank and air inlet and squeezed coolant hose to help air escape through bleed screw while watching coolant level in expansion tank and filled as necessary
6-closed bleed screw and put cap on expansion tank
7-turned Benni off and let cool for a bit, also checked for leaks(there weren't any!)
8-repeat steps #1-7, skipping step 3, until coolant level stopped dropping in expansion tank
I hope this provides you guys more insight on how to bleed the coolant. My biggest obstacle was the bottom front coolant line that goes from the housing to the turbo hard line. The hose clamp on there was the most stubborn of all the hose clamps to remove and install. just be patient with it and it'll come off.

 

Some really good insights there esp trying thr bleed screw first etc. Plus concentrating on the thermostat housing bleed screw when you compress the hoses...
Many thanks!

 

What is the part number for Thermostat & thermostat housing kit? What else comes along with the kit?

Where can I order them from online? Website please!

Thanks!

 

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...31&hg=11&fg=35

Part number is: 11537534521 (for the S and not the JCW)

Call up your local dealer.

 

Got mine from parts.com for about $75.00. Comes with temp sensor installed. Gasket is integral with housing. Mark those electrical connectors!!!

 

Mine needs to be replaced for the first time and I am over 138k in a 2007 base.

 

Mine was just replaced under warranty. 15,000 miles on my 2012 Justa.

 

DAMN

I've got the blue drip . . .

 

Unfortunately, I understand. Coolant bottle empty with coolant on trans-axle. Ordered new thermostat today, but...it's getting cold out there!

Good my SUV is available.

 

Do the R53s have thermostat housing issues too? My 02 Cooper S with reduction pulley and cold air intake just started leaking coolant at 56,000 miles.

 

Yes the R 53 is known to leak coolant as well.

 

Is the thermostat housing the likely source?

 

Yes they can leak from the thermostat housing and they are known to leak from a bad expansion tank.

 

I just replaced my Thermostat Housing in a little over two hours! THANK YOU NAM! If it weren't for NAM, I probably would have ended up at the stealer! As many have said, mark your wires, hoses, cabling, etc...makes life so much easier. I also tested the bleeder valve before placing in the car, just to see how far it could turn before falling out. Three turns worked well, and seemed the consensus before I began the project. I then replaced my antifreeze with Amsoil's http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produc...lant/?=2056145. Thank you again NAM

 

Mine has been throwing the code for this for the last couple of years. Does it 2-3 times a year, for a couple of weeks, then goes away. Haven't messed with it yet, and probably won't until I have to.

 

Mine is at the dealer as we speak for a thermostat housing leak... 61k on the clock. Noticed a week or two ago that the fan would come on after I turned the car off. Doesn't sound like an abnormal thing, but I'd never heard it before~

 

At 50.703 I noticed that there was no heat coming from vents. At that time it was also noticed there were pools of coolant under the fromt end of my car. After a short investigation it was concluded that the problem was obviously a cracked housing. At ther same time the service engine light came on, then off, then on. I replaced the housing, the light remained on for a couple of days, then off again. Well the problem is this, that same light came back on after a couple of more days,(????), and remains on. I don't have any idea what the problem could be but I'm sure that someone else has had much the same. HELP! I would deeply appreciate some Mini educated advice on this problem. Thanks, Wally