Mini Cooper Engine Installation (Part 1)

This is Part 1 of the reinstall the engine and transmission into my R56 Mini Cooper S. I show how to avoid damage to the AC lines as well as the clutch hydraulics as you install the engine. Honestly, I don't feel this job is as bad as it looks. With the front end removed, installing the engine seemed very easy to me. Not to mention it's only held in by 2 fasteners. Well, those and another mount under the engine that keeps it from rotating.
Anyway I hope this information is helpful if you've removed the engine on your Mini and need to reinstall it.
I had some help with editing on this one from Javan Hovind.
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Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy®.

[@dart7015]

20 minute repair videos are what i love most from EricTCG

[@Oblithian]

I love how an entire day of filming ends up yielding like 30min of footage. It really shows you just how much time is spent (fiddling, grabbing tools, thinking, and of course tightening/loostening fasteners)

[@Patrick94GSR]

19:00 tap and die sets FTW!!! I bought a Craftsman metric tap/die set almost 20 years ago, and I can't even begin to fathom how much time and money that set has saved me. They're absolutely essential for anyone working on cars, especially cars with older fasteners.

[@markanthony3275]

As a tradesman that retired with vision problems...seeing all this stuff makes me miss this work a little bit...until I remember the long hours, low pay, and my aching back LOL!

[@TheDoeVideos]

Mark Anthony it is pretty fun, what happened to your vision? Earlier this year a piece of shrapnel from a wheel bearing shot into my eye, hit my lens and tore my retina. The metal was in there for 2 weeks before I noticed the piece was still in there. Luckily after surgery I still have 20/20.

[@JazzyJasTruckingzz]

Bromando damn

[@markanthony3275]

Wow! I hope your vision is still good! As for me, I developed cancer in my right eye , ocular melanoma to be precise. I had the bad combination of being of European descent, blue eyed, fair haired (higher risk)...and add to that...sun worshipping in my youth, and then lots of MIG welding as a collision repairman/painter for a couple of decades. I'm sure you're wearing safety glasses and a visor for some of those steel shattering jobs now... also, make sure you get your eyes checked once every couple of years or if you notice any changes in your vision...do it one eye at a time because eyes share information and a good eye will cover up vision changes in a bad eye.until any problem gets too severe to cover up.

[@mushroomtip11]

"If things aren't working after you do something, its usually something you did" a true philosopher. 17:22

[@Patrick94GSR]

Man I love when electrical connectors make a solid click when going back together. The double click of each of those German connectors at 9:05 was super satisfying.

[@yaseensuniverse255]

I wish I had an honest,hard working,smart and generous professional auto mechanic like you in my area. ThAnks for all the information and great footage!

[@webstar1997]

I find these videos so therapeutic, thanks for saving me money on my repair and therapy bills Eric!!!

[@mikey5014]

Whoa, this guy is still going. Found a Reddit post from 6 years ago a few minutes ago and people mentioned this dude, so I had to look him up lol. Cool shit man, I'm sure I'll love your channel lol.

[@NebukedNezzer]

this is a bit complicated but I think you will get it together and all will be well. its so much easier to watch you do this than to actually be the one doing it.

[@joeclarke9782]

This is a major Mini series. I like it.

[@Darksyne]

After all that work you’ve done to this mini in the series I’m starting to think it would’ve been easier and cheaper to LS swap it at this point 😂😂

[@2450logan]

Darksyne God and drive the car from the back seat lol

[@brokenacoustic]

Being that its an R56, this video series is a very clever ploy at attaining youtube job security, as this car will forever need more and more work, and therefor more and more videos lol (in the 4 years I had one, it cost me over 6k just to keep it running before I unloaded it on the next unsuspecting sucker).

[@JazzyJasTruckingzz]

These videos are also instructional as well, yes probably would be easier to swap it for another engine but it explains a lot of this. As a part time mechanic my self

[@MsCellobass]

Eric, I know this out of the subject of this video, but curiosity about you is big enough. I just had my brake pads done, alignment, new tires with a set of new 16” wheels on my Honda Civic ( I hated the cover caps that came originally with the car ). Where I had all this done was ata family owned Honda repair shop. These folks have been there for decades. My husband and I entrust our vehicles to a mechanic shop that is really fair with their rates and do a fantastic job on maintenance and repair work. But now we have this Honda shop that we go to cause it’s nearby where we live. I wonder why in the world didn’t you open up a Honda shop after the dealership you were working for let you go? The Honda shop I go to DOESNT EVEN NEED TO ADVERTISE! They are even missing a sign! Why didn’t you open up a shop??

[@AustrianAnarchy]

9:40 IIRC, there are a couple of different silicone sprays. Propellants in some deteriorate rubber. If it is not labeled rubber safe, spray it in a styrofoam cup, if it melts the cup then don't use it directly on rubber. Can spray it on a rag, let the propellant flash off, then rub it onto the rubber part.

[@marioespinoza8216]

Eric your videos are helpful and entertaining. Ive watched all of your videos when i was locked up

[@dbravo2740]

Dont ask me why, maybe its late, but that little noise at 6:39 had me in stitches.

[@monkeyfinger7949]

Dude. How in the world can Eric remember where all those bolts and wires go? I feel like I'd have a box of bolts left over, and many of them in the wrong location! To make things worse, some of those bolts are stretch bolts - one use only. You have to remember that too. Yikes! Kudos to you Eric for taking this project on. It requires some skill and faith in your mechanical ability.

[@no-worries-its-okay]

I love that you do it right. For instance re tapping that Bolt & Nut.

[@BrewBlaster]

I will say it must be cool to have videos from the disassembly stage to reference. Years back I would take pictures of certain dis-assemblies at different stages. On new and or unfamiliar vehicles, it was a great help.

[@AussieGinger]

Love these videos Eric - I was sad when you said you had to take a break but I totally understood. I've been following the series and have really enjoyed it. Keep up the good work and stay dirty!

[@ericthecarguy]

Glad you're enjoying it. Thanks for the comment!

[@Piratepurplebeard]

Awesome video, best mechanic on KZbin

[@ericthecarguy]

Thank you!

[@Raptorman5174]

The mini series is cool man, I enjoy watching the videos. A lot of info crosses over to my 2003 BMW 330i like the clutch and the dual mass flywheel. Keep up the good work we'll be seeing you!

[@j.m.74]

17:37 (paraphrasing) "lots of clever stuff, it's just so cheap." This may be one of the reasons I've loved my Vic for nearly 11 years now... it's been super reliable, and even when something does break down, replacement parts are (in my experience at least) high quality without being super expensive.

[@BrewBlaster]

Wow dude really...no one can say you take the easy way out. Most folks would avoid this Mini like the plaque. I'm sure you have helped many Mini Minis.

[@denniswong4250]

Eric, you are great. Greeting from Hong Kong fans.

[@jcreep135]

Man cordless tools are the freaking awesome & time savers.... Makes work easier & more efficient. No dragging air hose or waiting for compressor to build air. Future video of air vs electric?????? Great video as always 👍🏼👍🏼

[@mikeh6876]

Great job......... Some really tight working room here and there........... I only have two comments 1. I would have replace the condenser with a parallel Flow condenser. The one you have looks like a serpentine. 2. You need to buy a deep well magnetic socket. Much easier to use on the deeply mounted plugs.

[@D0csavage1]

You have done differences between halogen and Xenon bulbs. It would be interesting on finding the + 0r - regarding the different makes of vehicles you have worked on in you career. Is the BMW approach better than the Honda approach when thinking of the mechanic in the garage? As for the BMW point of doing things around the engine, I love the way the whole front end can be taken away revealing awesome access. Compared to other makes where no thought at all seems to be given over to the mechanic that will work on the engine in the future. You already raised plus points in your video. I feel most car makers think of production line volume results at the factory only. The dealership guy or street mechanic does not even enter the time study guys mind. Apart from BMW from what I see in your videos so far.

[@dxrk_mxtter4581]

D0csavage1 *Yes*

[@ramonpagan695]

Love your work Eric

[@jamesc.5734]

Not much work space to wrench in. Once your finished the Mini's engine install, you ready to go into watch repair. ;O)

[@MsCellobass]

James Croteau s😂😂

[@todays_classics3571]

Its a shame no one wants to pay for labor anymore. They want bluebook value only. They go to college to make a curtain amount, this amount makes cars disposable. F it I'll buy a new one, whats the point. All I know my cars are in nice shape and we can thank Eric for showing us and telling us how you would feel if you love to work with cars, no matter how much you make. Its a love, not a college education (disposable way of thinking).

[@metal0n0v]

this really is giving me confidence to start working on my old ford that's sitting in my mother's place

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Love the new ending

[@tomjones8130]

Dear Eric, regaridng the missing fastner. At the lowest point of the transmission, there is no fastener, the BMW TIS states that explicit. As far as i can tell from the low resolution i have at hand, its the fastner behind (looking from the front of the car directly to the taker cylinder of the hydrolic clutch) the hydrolic clutch taker. I can only guess, that you noticed, that you have one hole to much for the fasteners you have removed. Its by design! Check BMW TIS > R56 > Repair Manuals > 21 Clutch > 21 21 Clutch DIsc and Drive Plate under -> "newtis.info"

[@Seegalgalguntijak]

LOL, thank you Eric, finally somebody addresses this issue! I've always wondered how a youtuber can see me next time I'm watching one of their videos ;-)

[@drivewaydiyer6504]

I love these engine videos👍👍👍

[@kdriehuys]

Idk why I laughed so hard when he said "shwoops" but I did.

[@ohabbal8169]

since you dipped your toes into German cars (with french engines), i would love to see a Mercedes on your channel. love your work :)

[@vanguardwars]

You always make it easy Eric. GOOD JOB!

[@jeffmyers1051]

You know I thought it would be cool to own a mini but after seen what you have to do to get to certain things I work on my own vehicles and there no room in that mini to work on anything you literally got a tear this thing down I could just imagine what it would be like trying to change an alternator on that thing

[@kamryn7496]

Long lecture in this video today gotta make some popcorn real quick before I start the video

[@Jim-ie6uf]

Very edu-taining!

[@Propotus]

Eric, have you ever used a load leveler?

[@jaesgarage615]

Awesome. Next Friday.

[@haloboy73547353829]

i love you Eric

[@ericthecarguy]

I love you too!

[@hamza78]

@Eric As usual great job.. Glad you did this series, certainly want to stay away from Minis :) I was planning to buy one but not anymore :)

[@drfc94]

The second thing you called a tensioner isn’t a tensioner at all its a friction pulley

[@animal16365]

It almost seems like the Mini is not a car to buy long term. It almost seems like it's better to lease them. And I'm basing this on how much you have invested into new parts. Keep up the great work and videos

[@Mortalomena]

Its basically a modern BMW so you are right, junk after 10 years.

[@CleanSC]

It doesn't "almost seem". It most definitely, without a shadow of a doubt *IS* a car you stay away from as a long term car. It prices itself into total loss territory with just constant repairs.

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

animal16365 with enough clear coat you really CAN polish a turd, just let it dry thoroughly.

[@johnnieburkhalter5265]

In my time sphere it’s 2:40 in the morning... I'll watch this later 😴

[@joshuarobinson7522]

Eric the cams should have the barcodes facing up when locked if so at least the cams should be correct. As for the two holes in the fly wheel the correct one should be deeper so the pin (at least with the factory tool) will fall in more so into the flywheel if i am not mistaken. The incorrect hole is more shallow i believe.

[@john7017]

Nice job! not much holding the Mini Poopers engine though... It's amazing how much the squeezed under that hood.

[@nijloveanugelu]

That is a Peugeot engine.Aniway,Good job Eric!

[@dxrk_mxtter4581]

Nijloveanu Gelu its *clearly* not

[@SuperDave21]

Awesome Eric...!

[@jackpurcell9871]

Hey Eric, how do you mount your camera? Chest or head? Also, love the series. Just finished my first timing chain job myself which ended up being much the same. Engine, transmission, and the subframe all out of the car but all went well so i am a happy man! Keep up the good work 🙂

[@jdmeaux]

Ah, the good old days when you could actually sit in the engine bay with your feet on the frame and work on your engine. Now a days you need a can opener to get the engine in.

[@mikldude9376]

Indeed , the good old days when you could remove the gearbox under the car and do a replacement clutch assembly on a conventional car in about 3 or 4 hours in your driveway . If only we had a time machine 🙄.

[@Patrick94GSR]

@@mikldude9376 Hondas don't have much room in the bay, but you can still drop the gearbox from underneath to do a clutch change. Have done my Integra and many Civics that way, just gotta bench-press that gearbox. Nah that way sucks, actually. I bruised my sternum the one time I did it that way on the Integra. For the second clutch change, I had the whole engine out for most of the same reasons as Eric did in this series - timing belt, clutch, oil pan gasket, all done at the same time which required engine removal. The next time I do a clutch, I'll likely attempt to support the engine from below, and use my engine crane from above to lower the gearbox down to the floor. Although I'm not sure yet if that's entirely possible.

[@AutoFixYT]

Very entertaining and informative, as always! :)

[@sfitz-rp4du]

I'm thinking that Scotty Kilmer's (and my) solution to your Mini Cooper problems is to withdraw $850 from an ATM, buy a $1000 Craigslist mid 90s Camry for $800, drive to a beach, and blow the fifty bucks on beer and pizza to celebrate your new ride. Just saying.

[@101smeghead]

Nice one eric . keep up the good work

[@markharris3372]

love your vids. The mini is a great car to work on at home.

[@lexmaximaguy8788]

awesome video... are we ever gonna see the start up and consequent destruction of the cylinder head?

[@ericthecarguy]

Yes.

[@lexmaximaguy8788]

excellent....

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Great video

[@moneygeewtee]

Great idea with the head mounted gopro! I'm sure I'm late to the party as I've fallen behind on your videos; whatever became of Cameraman Brian? Great material as always!

[@ericthecarguy]

Brian had other work and was out of the country for a while. Also, because of the backlog of footage I have, I've been putting my resources into editing over camera work.

[@mcrande]

I saw those pinch points and was thinking aw man he is going to lose a digit.

[@Stop..carry-on]

Nice work 👍 as you said in the vid , you may find the problems come back those bmw engines aren’t the best

[@TreyCook21]

Good video. Lots of jumping around though, sometimes difficult to see, and sometimes we have to just guess what you're doing. However, thanks for including at least a couple of tips with plugs and the condenser. Thanks for the video!

[@ericthecarguy]

Shooting conditions were not ideal. Sorry.

[@TreyCook21]

EricTheCarGuy - Not a big thing. You've helped make me a better person, so I thought I'd try to provide helpful feedback?!

[@commodore665]

I always wonder why these videos get dislikes , and who these people are , anyway great video ,

[@ericthecarguy]

The internet is a cold and unforgiving place.

[@commodore665]

a bit like the town I live in .

[@robs1852]

My thought is it has to be those few people that always have something bad to say no matter how much you do to help them

[@commodore665]

I have a theory it's the same people who do it . Just trolls , in their granny's basement , with their undies on their heads .

[@jobro8854]

Very informative

[@BrewBlaster]

I'm thinking that hi pressure fuel pump would be expensive, but it least it looks fairly easy to install.

[@patriciocordova449]

Thanks Eric!

[@robs1852]

That is one PITA engine, so cramped in there. And you even have the front clip off the car

[@towzone100]

great video!

[@LasseHuhtala]

No, no. Just educational. Do a jig next time or something. Just kidding, great stuff as usual. :-)

[@acsacs6375]

I may have miss a video on it, but where is camera man Brian? I’ve noticed that the last few videos have been shot by yourself with a stand or on a hat/helmet cam.

[@ericthecarguy]

I haven't worked with Brian in over a year. He had other work and was out of the country for a while. Also, I'm putting my resources into editing instead of a cameraman because of the backlog of footage I have.

[@BlindMansRevenge2002]

Can we see some reviews on all those cordless impact tools you seem to have acquired?

[@BrewBlaster]

And I get what you are saying about the fact great engineering can be overshadowed by poor parts and or execution from production methods.

[@MrGerryoc]

You need to a mechanic with you the next time you buy a car LOL

[@VictorDunkle]

Hey Eric can you do a video on how the VVT/VVL? Can you go over the individual components? I find that system of a vehicle to be confusing! Thank you!

[@Ulford]

Nice headshot camera.

[@kraklakvakve]

The car with the Flying Engine™

[@kenskip1]

Eric, How do you like your M12 Milwaukee tools? I sort of miss you crawling around with an air impact wrench and air line back in the old garage.Ken

[@ericthecarguy]

I LOVE them. I don't miss my air hose at all.

[@stolenbkeco]

Eric, Please get some rest. Take a break. You've got some really bad bags under your eyes. Your concerned subscriber, Lucis Abril

[@okaythen001]

No need to really install that engine mount? And one bolt was crooked, another bolt/screw messed up or something. No big deal as long as they are not in important spots or something? And isn't some engine bolts you must use tq wrench? Or if you are experienced enough hand tighten them is ok?

[@nokoolaid]

I wonder how many mechanics use a torque wrench in these instances?

[@DENicholsAutoBravado]

In many of these circumstances, you'll have to be experienced to be able to torque it in by feel.

[@nokoolaid]

DE Nichols and I am and in the tests the use mechanics, experienced ones. They were off.

[@DENicholsAutoBravado]

James L most of them act like they don't need a torque wrench but they do. I tool 11 months off mechaning full time as an Operating Room Specialist. When I got back I needed months to get my touch back.

[@DENicholsAutoBravado]

James L also ...really rusty cars? They need to be over torqued ... bolts may not even be in all the way at light torque! Talking about light stuff. That's some of my mistakes when I first got back to it.

[@nokoolaid]

If I find rust in threads, I'll use a tap and wizard piss to clean it out. As I've gotten older, I'll use a torque wrench for things I know the values and when dealing with one use crush washers, I think it's the better way to do it.

[@Rambizzle454]

It's 108F today way too hot, but somehow u got a hoodie and jacket on o.0

[@ericthecarguy]

This was shot in April.

[@phatphred]

So the engine hit the ground like The Lonely Island's Threw it On The Ground!

[@TreyCook21]

17:38 - Sums up the entire Mini

[@asessins7634]

Thak you for this video

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Very entertaining

[@ozzstars_cars]

Might be called a mini but that's a big job!

[@davidd8435]

Cross threaded is better than lock tight.

[@xavieredmonds6575]

Hey can you please make a video on how to instead the engine wire harness, I don’t know where the clips go. I had to swap motors but the new motor didn’t have an intake manifold.

[@fillg]

Dude! You put the whole thing in sideways!! 😂

[@todays_classics3571]

I told him to mid mount it behind the seats, and make it AWD.. Hehe

[@tinytaylor1477]

How long have you been working on mini cooper s. How much does it cost to do all that? Where are you located? Do you work only?

[@Commander_ZiN]

I've always been told not to put anything on the threads of spark plugs as it messes with the electrical connection. Is oil an exception?

[@daniquebaker91]

although i have a new channel name ? (old one was MarsL001) you STILL...are the BEST TEACHER EVERRRR ;) anyways ..... loved the video Kawasaki San ;)

[@TempGuest7]

Part 1 oh you tease

[@hirdleyreid3369]

Good straightforward videos? Can u say if the turbo s blocks from 07 - 2010 are the same

[@IntegraDIY]

What ever happened to the camera guy?

[@jaratt85]

could you imagine... you do all that work, get everything back together, hit the start button and CLUNK! "wtf?!" pull it apart and realize you forgot to remove the cam locks... "SCHEISSE!!!!"

[@ronwatson4902]

Yep!

[@user-io3hw7hx7q]

Awesome thanks