Replaced the cheapy plastic pipe
 

I just had a local mechanic here replaced the plastic water pipe behind the water pump. At first we thought it was the water pump, turned out the plastic pipe was worn out where the O-rings were. I mean this plastic pipe should be made of metal don't you think? I paid $495 to have that replace, the part itself is cheap, the labor was the one that got me :cry:

Anyway I wish I am all hands on my Mini like you guys are, at least I'm learning something new here every time I login. I was also advised to sell my Mini once it reaches 100,000 miles. Right now I have 89,000 miles on it. Reason I was advised to get rid of it, transmission problem. Is the mechanic right?

The automatic Mini's are crap. You can flush the transmissions but realistically you should own an S manual. I'm clocking in 165k on my '07 and it's going strong after adjusting to 3000-5000 mile oil change time line. I ride it like I stole it too but do what you want.

A lot of the high mileage Mini's still driving around with 100,000-150,000 miles are manuals, these days engines have a longer lifespan than transmissions.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...6d3edfab7b.jpg
S damn then my leak after the new water was installed n went thru the head ache was just this damn water pipe..... Arrggh....well after i swaped out the old WP there was this black rubber kind of oring but it was broken off didnt give it much thought till now that im reading these post. Fml. Gots to buy this. =). This is why i love forums.

This rubber inside


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...fa1f4e3983.jpg


You could see a lilttle better here of what im saying

Looks like you have to remove the thermostat housing also because it's locked onto the center pipe with a metal clip which you'll see once the thermostat housing is removed. If your thermostat housing has mileage now is the time.

I feel your misery!

@phenams Great pics! :thumbsup:

Yea, the water pipe on the one end has a O ring that goes into the back of the water pump mount on the engine side.

Like system lord said the the pipe sandwiches between the two.

thanks @systemlord yeah took off the thermostat off the get to the pipe n indeed was broken. ... I got the new one but now i want to take down the water pump again to make sure i get that rest of the water pipe out. Tomorrow i guess.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...5c929874a6.jpg


New n old

N thanks too @ecstunning figure they would be sandwiched inbetween

Mine looked very similar to your's. It looked like it had corroded away. I wouldn't drop and re-do the water pump looking for parts. I'd probably just do a coolant flush. Remember always use distilled water! Here is a good read about coolant in general.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...ant_Change.htm
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...i-coolant.html

You are welcome. :thumbsup:

Excellent, I had a suspicion that your leak was running down the length of the pipe because the pumps end of the pipe would have looked like the other end if it were a problem and you would have seen it. Glad you got it worked out. :grin:

Can this water pipe be installed without much disassembly?

I was replacing the thermostat and broke the water pipe's tab on the thermostat end when I was trying to install the clip. I was disappointed until I realized the other end of the water pipe was super loose. I gave it a tug and it disintegrated and came out. A bunch of fluid had been leaking on that side of the motor during the change and this failing pipe was definitely the culprit.

Will I be able to line this thing up and push it into place from the thermostat side of the motor? I can get under the car and SEE where it attaches but I definitely can reach it... Also, any tips on installing the little clip for the thermostat side? The thermostat's o-ring makes it a real PITA to push into place.

:thumbsup:

It wasn't too bad to install the pipe, way better than replacing the water pump twice, strip the head off of one of the bolts after you couldn't find how it was still leaking. Then again everything seems easier after that. If I remember right, you just need to free up what was connected on the right side (driver's side) to the tube but you should be able to snake it into place. I wish someone made a upgraded piece that wasn't plastic but my dealership had it.

question:
 

How did you get to the pipe bolts for the hangar tab? Need to know what I need to do to get it out. Don't really want to pull the intake.

Great info in this thread also how to pull it out and reach everything.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...html?styleid=7