The engineers who devised the Mini coolant drain scheme shouldn't be allowed to procreate. So I've come up with a tool to neuter them.....

Start with a Lisle 17100 hose clamp tool. Remove the offset by flattening out the arms. Ditch the threaded inserts that come with it. On the ratchet release side of the tool thread in a 1 1/2" long 5/16-18 socket head cap screw flush to the end of the tool thread socket. On the other side of the tool thread in a 5/16" long 5/16-18 socket set screw.

....After finishing with the engineers, you can also use this to loosen the lower radiator hose clamp to drain the coolant.

Here's the tool in the orientation for opening the hose clamp:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...00&ppuser=4821

The single tang on one side of the clamp is caught in the recess on the socket screw side. On my car, this single tang was on the driver's side, which hallows very little working clearance. One corner of the hoop on the other side of the clamp is caught in the cap screw socket recess:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...00&ppuser=4821

There isn't much room to use the tool, so you can't allow much to protrude beyond the sockets welded to the tool arms, especially on the driver side. In fact, my clamp was twisted around so that I had to cut a slot in the driver side welded socket to operate the clamp the first time:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...00&ppuser=4821

This tool is 11" long. My car is lowered a little over 1." I raised it up 1 1/2" on wooden 2 x 4s. The tool was the just the right length to reach the clamp with this amount of lowering/raising, so it might just work on a stock car without ramps.

flyboy2160

 

The clamps for MINI radiator hoses are one time use only. Take it off and your not supposed to use it again.

I took mine off and just used the old fashioned clamps you can find at about any auto store. No more clamp issues.!

 

where does it say the spring type lower hose clamp is one time use only? the factory manual doesn't mention this like it does with some of the self locking fasteners on the car. i've had these elsewhere and have never seen a one time use recommendation.

you can do whatever you want, but the spring type clamp has several advantages over a slotted band screw type clamp:

- it keeps constant pressure on the hose despite thermal size changes

- you can't overtighten it and start cutting the hose or undertighten it and not have clamping

- it is accessible without putting the car on ramps or a hoist. i can't see that with a screw type.

 

I bought those silicone hoses from MiniMania or someplace like that. Had to buy the other type of clamps because the OEMs are too small.

I took had them installed by an independent BMW/Benz shop while having other work done. When I picked up the car the owner showed me the work as they were just filling it up with antifreeze.

When I went to collect the old hoses and clamps and he said dont bother with the clamps because these type clamps from BMW are one-time use only .... You can "try" to reuse them but that are not meant to be reused. Cheap enough to get new one from parts dept.

The silicone hose are thicker than the rubber hoses and it was squeeze getting everything fit.

 

www.zdmaktools.com
item RB003


The "remote" type can make life easy.

BTW... spring clamps are not stretch bolts--- they are reusable.

 

Oh jeeez, where was this thread 3 months ago?!!! I could of used you guys advice then. I installed a full set of custom order sampco hoses and had to do it the old fashion way, or should I say with Primitive tools. My hands are still healing from all the scrapes and bruises I got trying to take them out and fit them in. Needless to say "No Way" was I going to put the same clamps back on. For one, they wouldn't fit around the new silicone hoses and two, would not want to deal with those clamps again even if I was getting paid... So, I went the expensive route and order some t-bolt clamps which do not cut into the silicone. Funny thing is, thats the web site where I order all my hard to get tools from...

flyboy2160, I couldn't agree with you more as I was frustated enough to want to inflict some serious bodily harm on the engineers' reproductive organs...

But I'm very pleased with the results...

 

But I'm very pleased with the results...[/quote]

Those orange hoses look great! What kind of airbox do you have?

 

Thanks,
Kent, it's the MyMini box with the ITG foam filter. Love the sound. I took it to my local paint shop and for $60 had the filter box and air diverter color painted.