Fixing a BMW MINI R50 / R56 boot water leak. DO IT YOURSELF.

[@1981geg]

Mini... turning amateurs into mechanics since 2001. Thanks to you now I know how to address the problem. It doesn’t rain much where I live but better fix than neglect!

[@DrCrunkMusic]

Found that with a bunch of genuine parts from bmw/mini you get these nice little fitting assists. Worth the extra money for some parts for sure 😊

[@davidmolyneaux5062]

Followed your advice on both "leak" videos, excellent. Thank you for taking the time to put them together and posting them, much appreciated.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Glad to help

[@jockspice]

I have the same leak on my R53, this video will help no end with the hunt for it!

[@kenn1936]

No matter what make or model your vehicle - IT IS ALWAYS THE LIGHTS!!!! the rubber used around the lights is NEVER as robust as the rubber used to seal the doors and windows. Ridiculous!! Thank you for this video. Personally, I believe that BMW should be paying for this problem!!! They are responsible for the defect. I have noticed a few bits of rust breaking through the paintwork on the tailgate!! I am going to have to get the whole thing treated and resprayed, I am pissed to say the least that it is a defect by manufacturer !!!

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Very fair comments indeed.

[@itshusk2421]

amazing explanation with your hands, great way to visualize it without doing it

[@Tobinindustrial]

A good "how to" video Fred. This will be a handy video for many around the world including North America. These cars are fairly popular here in Newfoundland and across Canada. There is a dealership in St. John's. It's been there for many years.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi Andy. Yes i hope it will help people. I imagine going by the cost of parts alone this would end up a $400 + cost repair at BMW. The 3rd brake light was very poor quality for a pricey car when new. Cheers bud.

[@derekbond3512]

Have to say Fred you know how to put a video together, this is spot on with very well explained instructions, i had this same problem, thanks for this it really helped, especially when you pointed out the seal on the led brake light.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Thanks Derek. Just to say it took 2 attempts (2 videos) but we did 100% cure all the boot leaks.

[@derekbond3512]

@@CB-RADIO-UK Cheers Fred you have saved me some head scratching, peace.

[@BristolPost]

Good video. There is another place you need to check which is the chrome / rubber trim at the base of the glass. The chrome piece clips into the hatch and it’s an easy fix to silicone inside the hatch where the clips snap in. Easy to tell it’s here with the panel out and a hose pipe test. EDIT: Just seen the second video and this is covered.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Thanks Tony. Your spot on. All covered in Part 2.

[@svenschumacher9967]

Thanks for your excellent video, Fred. Had the same issue with my R56. Worked perfect to replace my boot seal and the partnumber is exactly the same! (current price in Germany is €112) Maybe you want to add R56 to your title ? You might get some extra clicks and help R56 drivers as well !🥰

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Thanks for the tip.

[@stephensomersify]

Thumbs up - for 3x Minis in my family ----- old git, UK

[@janbundell6434]

Nothing changes Fred....I had 2 cooper Ss and a cooper in the 60s and a couple more in the 70s....all had the same problem....you had to keep a close eye on it or before you knew it the bottom had dropped out of the battery box....rust problems have improved somewhat since then I hasten to add.....oh bye the way...lovely nail polish mate....best wishes.....Bob

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi mate. Did you like the colour of the nails ? I thought they clashed with my top :-). Cannot say we have had any rust on this car. Bought new in 06. Had a fuel line injector issue from new which BMW could never sort out. Our car Wizard mechanic did fix it years later. Just a battery and exhaust and some brake pads is all thats been needed but only 34k miles.

[@johnfinnerty3501]

Fred, Another place where our R50 was leaking was the hatch chrome weather/window seal. Prize it off with a plastic tool. you will notice there are white clips holding it on. The clip is 2 parts, one part stays in the chrome window strip, the other part stays attached to the car boot. The part that attaches to the car should have little black seals under the white clips. These often perrish and fail in earlier minis. The water runs down the window some is deflected off and some get behind the the window seal past these clips and into the boot. The water can pool behind the chrome weather/window seal ( Usually loads of dirt and grip stuck in there too whihc does not help). Only solution is to carefull prize off these clips there is no way of removing then in one piece, they are brittle and will snap off. ( please be very careful as it is close to the glass). Order new ones with new flat black seals before you start. When you are putting in the new ones clean the area well and add a dab of exterior grade window silicon in the hole before pushing the clip in place. let the silicon dry and then reinstall the chrome weather strip. The clips I got were off Ebay Mini Direct --( absolute nightmare people to deal with, unrelated issue. ) Or just google search images for MINI R50 R53 Body Trim Moulding Clip Clamp Bracket 51317113199. ( they are expensive ish and you will need 6 ( 5 for the car and 1 spare incase of brakages putting them in.) Disclaimer: I'm not a mechanic, just good with repairing cars. If you break the glass its your own fault. If the leak is still there then try the boot seal whihc is an expensive last resort.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Thanks John. See part 2 bud its all there.

[@johnfinnerty3501]

See part 2 after I had posted my comment. Alls good.

[@eleanormcgair7981]

Fantastic video Fred - definitely explained in detail every step to take - love how you are honest with the caution and what n what not to do - saving us loads of hassle n expense . Top marks Fred 👌 👏 🙌 👍 😎

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Glad it helped. I made a part 2 where we still had a little leak but all is fixed now.

[@eleanormcgair7981]

@@CB-RADIO-UK yep watched it too - brilliant job Fred - so happy its fixed now - worked out my leak was coming from a fault in the seal - its been replaced now cheers Fred ✌💖👏👏👏

[@HARMANG400]

Hi many thanks same problem in r56 version and very similar issue and fix

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Very common.

[@thegreenwoodelf8014]

🤩 where did you come from Fred 😁 thank you 🙏🏻 for doing this vlog I just bought a gorgeous 2002 little black mini... tool bowl was full water 😐 must be fixable and here you are Love your cometary style and first person vlog style so useful and well explained Excellent common sence advice 🤔😲😁

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Thanks. Iam pleased to say ours is totally fixed. You need to watch part 2 to see all the leaks we had.

[@thegreenwoodelf8014]

Have done 🙏🏻 Do you perhaps know if the little plastic clips on the body for the windscreen trim are available. When I took off the back windscreen trim some of the outer clip tabs and wings as they were quite perished ... don't think it was leaking there but it's done now..I will try and restore it

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Iam not sure tbh. Prob a call to the dealers.

[@g1fsh]

Still looking good that little car. Thought u were going to sell it 4 years ago lol. Time flies Fred doesnt it lol

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

It certainly does mate. The good lady wont say good bye to the Mini. she loves it and its only done 34k miles. She has had it so long its actually becoming a classic lol.

[@g1fsh]

@@CB-RADIO-UK same could be said for u Fred lol

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

@@g1fsh Yeah your not wrong mate. 2020 is like a year that did not really happen.

[@kevincohen4886]

Great video! Thanks for the tips

[@leodhasach...]

Superb. Big help! Thanks Fred

[@joerowland7350]

To check for leak I use baby powder on the out side n a air hose with a nosul on inside I really like the Cooper but I'm 6'3"

[@Jolly-Sid69]

Hello, I use butyl tape to seal. Thank you for this video. Regards

[@HanzelFonferek]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alzeNL]

And dont forget to change the indicator bulbs, just in case you ever do use them.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

LOL no that would be on a Audi nowadays :-)

[@chucky2316]

What are these like fred you can get them cheap I prefer this model to the more bloated modern one,

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi Mate. They are a lot of fun around town and on twisty B roads as they handle and grip well. Sporty driving style. Mrs loves it. Was on the motorway today and 70 mph = 3400 rpm and a little loud so not a long distance car.

[@chucky2316]

@@CB-RADIO-UK I was looking at buying one of these 2 years ago but opted for the safer bet a mazda 2 sport. Which is based on the fiesta St. Only down side its thirsty. But I've always had a soft spot for these early coopers.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

@@chucky2316 Its been good to us but the Mrs has only put 34k miles on it from new. One or two little probs but nothing major.

[@robsmith8842]

Really good video Fred. Clear and consise for anyone to follow. Love the nail polish as well ;o)

[@kevinjames9852]

Fred love your nails but you could have gone for a more vibrant color nail varnish

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

I know it does not match my top :-(

[@shaneweightman]

Good vid Fred , cars, don’t you just love em. Ha ha, believe the Mini Cooper has the same engine as my RCZ , 1600 turbo ,,, r56 , also known as a chocolate engine I’ve heard it said , cheers Shane

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi mate. Yes cars always need something doing to keep you busy and buy tools etc. Hope your well.

[@HanzelFonferek]

Mine is leaking between the gap where the hatch opens I believe

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

We replaced the seal. Check out part 2

[@HanzelFonferek]

@@CB-RADIO-UK ok thanks

[@SuperMeganw]

good video FRED and A good job done from GARY 73.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Thanks man

[@CLWindy49]

Hi Fred, have a leak myself which seem to have traced to be coming in via the clips of the bottom seal on the rear window. Do you have any tips or ideas on how to carefully remove these as hoping to put some silicone around them to try and prevent water from still getting in? Many thanks, Conor

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi. Firstly watch part 2. The trim is very tricky to get off without breaking the clips :-( You have to gently pri using a plastic wedge starting at the ends. We did fix ours but it was a tough messy job.

[@thegreenwoodelf8014]

Brilliant 👌🏻👍🏻🙏🏻 thank you

[@ac2265]

I just opened my boot to pull out the jack. After I lifted up the boot carpet I found there was a gooey substance in the jack area filling it to the top. Any advice guys? How did this happen

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Not sure about gooey substance as ours was full of water. Maybe check that your rear wash is not leaking fluid.

[@ac2265]

@@CB-RADIO-UK where is the rear washer fluid located?

[@kelpking4484]

My battery is my battery is back there and the water pooled up around the battery and fried my battery

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

;-(

[@themightyimp08]

@8:20 you have beautiful nails, lol

[@MePeterNicholls]

Check out www.lllparts.co.uk/ with your vin number (last 7 digits) - prices are cheeper and come from bmw.

[@sahhull]

Its a pretty common problem on the BMW Mini's. As usual for BMW... You pay a lot for what is essentially a very mediocre car.

Mediocre in what ways?