Good morning RGLARRY,

My leaking issue was rather sudden. And sadly my water pump and thermostat housing went at the very same time. When I pulled off my thermostat housing I noticed that coolant was barley seeping from the temp sensor. Not sure how long that was going on for. Then I noticed that coolant was pooling on top of the transmission.

You are one of the lucky ones to have had it last that long. My housing was leaking from the rear (near where it mates to the water pump return tube [back side of motor]) on a seam where the two halves are glued together.

If there is no significant leaking/drops/pooling I would say you are okay but be ready. It escalates quickly.

 

Yes,

I have see the coolant pooling in the transmission, then leak down the back of the transmission. Leaking from the rear seam of the thermostat housing or the top near the sensor. You don't know its leaking until you see the drip down and puddle on the floor right under the bell housing of the the transmission.

The first place to check is on top of the transmission housing.

And if you need any parts let me know , we are here to help.

 

Agreed! ECS had the aluminum water pump and thermostat housing that now adorns my N14. Bite the bullet and do both, at the price of coolant might as well. The water pump is less than half the price as OEM!

No I do not work for ECS but I am a loyal customer now!

 

Thanks we appreciate your comments

Glad you got things back together. And if you need anything else let us know. We are here to help.


Thanks for the mention: N14 engines.

We have the thermostat housing here:
Genuine MINI

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/11537534521/ES25098/



Hepu water pump

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/11517550484/ES2139915/



MINI OEM Coolant

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/82140031133/ES196253/



Thanks

 

52k miles and still knocking on wood that my thermostat housing doesn't go out. This MINI has been bullet proof so far

 

76000 miles and have had it replaced 3 times....

 

Holy crap! And here I was complaining I "only" got 49k miles out of mine. Sorry to hear that my friend :'(

 

Mine was replaced under extended warranty @ about 55k.

 

Mine started leaking at 60,000 miles. Would trickle water out just after you parked it. $500 at the dealer after the rep found a discount of sorts. Wife says have them fix it, I'm very much in agreement at this stage in life.

Last month it was the turbo hose. Or should I say ho$e.

 

Whats happened to the turbo hose? Did it have crack or leak.

 

.

 

ECST,

Sorry, I've misplaced my stack-o-service tickets. There were too many to keep in the little glove box so I put them ?. Don't remember exactly what was wrong with the turbo hose (the one you see on top when first opening the hood).
I remember that the engine had a slight misfire and slight 'buck', like in the old days when my junker Chevy had a bad spark plug wire, or when the fuel filter needed replacement. Could hear a slight sparking noise.
Anyway, the dealer said, and I paid. This old guy doesn't wrench anymore...

 

Just had mine replaced at MINI Ontario. Cost me the $250 deductible on my extended warrantee. 54k miles, and the service agent said my water pump had already been replaced by previous owner.

 

I have a 07 mcs with a coolant leak. I have been reading the threads about replacement of the thermostat housing. Is there a place that I can pay less than 100 for the housing w/sensor on it? If so, please advise. I am not an expert but I do know enough to make me dangerouse WRT working on engines. Any help would be appreciated.

 

I am not aware of any places that sell it for cheaper than $100. I paid $125 for mine. And the sad part is that I don't thing anyone making an aftermarket housing. Sorry my friend.

 

I agree with the recall. Question is how do we go about getting Mini/BMW to initiate the recall?

 

No worries, just checking. I just dont like to pay 100+ for a piece of plastic. The good thing is that the sensor comes with it.

 

Yeah, but its one hell of a piece of plastic! I kept my old one and display it like a trophy. It is one curious housing

 

Should MINI/BMW take responsibility for their crappy design (lets point a finger at Peugeot too)? Yes. Will they? Not likely.

If I remember correctly a recall is initiated if there is life at risk (Ex: airbag, fuel/explosion, etc). There would have to be numerous records of say coolant burning/smoking to the point of loss of vision of the road causing crash.

Buuut here is a good place to start: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

 

Thanks for the link. I wnet ahead and filed a report. Nothing to hurt by trying.

 

Have an 08 Justa clubman, 87kmiles. Just had the housing replaced at a cost of $300.09, parts and labor at a local shop that specializes on mostly Brit cars.

 

So my next question is, and if I missed it in an earlier post my appologies, how do you remove the plastic hose on the backside of the engine under the intake manifold that connects to the thermostat housing? I removed the clamp, but it will not come off and I am kind of nervous that I may break the hose.

 

YES! Be cautious in removing it. I have read it can break if not handled properly. I removed the clip completely, and just wiggled up, down, back and forth with a slight pulling away movement. Man that sounds bad

It is a tight fit so just be patient. I took my time (about 5 minutes) with it too. There is not hurry. I had more fun with the turbo coolant hose (lowest hose connection on housing) than the return pipe hose...

Forgot to mention! I was told to be careful with the return pipe as it can separate from the water pump side. Not sure if that is true as I would think it would be clipped too. But you never know.

 

I'm not sure if the thermostat housing needs to be replaced on my Clubman S (with 91,000 miles) but it will be the first place I check. My MINI is leaking coolant towards the rear of the passenger side engine bay.

 

That would be the area that denotes water pump leakage. The thermostat housing is sure to follow.