Going to be changing out the Crank Sensor O ring this weekend ...Just Curious ..when i put it in Service Mode .... do i need to take the Crash Tubes out before i can slide the radiator forward to get to the Crank sensor? ,,,it looks ike the radiator can slide forward with the crash tubes installed ....

 

I just did mine last week and all I did was take the top hose of the radiator off move it forward after releasing the top clips and it gave me room to change the seal. Also if you are in there and the low fan speed is not working replace the radiator fan resistor. Look at this YouTube at around 5.18 and you will get a better idea how to do it.

 

and how many miles on the water pump??????

 

If I recall correctly, yes. There's a 10mm bolt on either side that, I believe, connects the crash tube to the radiator support housing (the tube is in front of the housing so you cant just unscrew the bolt and move forward). Plus the tubes somewhat obscure the ac lines from moving forward. Theyre super easy to take off. Three bolts and hit them a couple times with a dead blow and theyre off. Probably the least time consuming of the entire service mode process.

Unless youre changing the coolant theres no reason to remove any coolant lines or actually take the radiator off. Pro tip: if your o ring has been leaking for a while and youve never done replacement before it might take you a while to find the actual sensor. I think it took me twice as long to find the sensor than it did to actually change it since everything was covered in leaked oil/dirt nastiness.

 

If you are only going to be doing the o-ring, you do not have to put the car in service mode. I ran mine up on to some ramps and got in from the bottom. I had to remove the belly/skid pan. It was tricky, but doable. If you want to do more, then service mode is the way to go.

 

Sometimes taking shortcuts actually require more time.....

 

I replace my radiator, and repair my a/c without removing the crash tubes.

 

SUCCESS!!! I can confidently say that my Mini Does not leak any oil !....Did the Crank Sensor O ring today ...took about 3 1/2 hours since it was my first time ..a little tricky working Blind but was able to change it out with just taking the bumper and metal bumper part off and keeping the crash tubes in .... there was enough room to get my hands and arms down there once i pulled the radiator forward ...