Mini Countryman crossover pipe

[@trainwreck5973]

Those clips are made to be in position so when you push the connecting pipe back in they snap and lock it in. No need to have it up and push it into place like you did. Just set it in place and push the pipes together. It will “spread” and lock once the channel reaches

[@juanpedroza9480]

THANKS THIS WAS VERY HELPFUL, I INSTALLED THE NEW THERMOSTAT AND BROKE THAT PIPE AND DID NOT KNOW HOW TO REMOVE IT, THANKS FOR THE INFO.

[@raymondferreri3151]

if a german engineer sat at his desk and said I let me think of a way to get even... this was it!

[@rfcasey]

Great tips. Like the pipe trick. In lieu a pipe you could also possibly use a Drum Brake Retaining Spring Washer Tool.( a screw driver with a cylinder at the end) to push in the retaining clip

[@yanierolivera4678]

Thanks for this. Could not find info on how to get that pipe out.

[@edwardlocke874]

Great info that most wont include

[@sergiomovsessian49]

If I'm replacing the water pump, can I remove this pipe from the WP end without having to remove the thermostat housing? (clip is not installed)

[@peteranania7166]

That pipe has to come forward then up. So you would have to take off the thermostat housing

[@Cosme422]

Just took my thermostat housing off. The pipe did not have a clip. I’m guessing from a previous mechanic. Does the new pipe come with a clip?

[@peteranania7166]

Yes it does

[@peteranania7166]

I'm surprised it didn't leak without the clip

[@raymondferreri3151]

It's an extra.. The water pump and thermostat should retain it without the clip. See my posted comments also.

[@raymondferreri3151]

This plastic pipe is the worst piece of German engineering I've encountered , a testament to German arrogance IMO. I found it necessary to remove the intake manifold for access. Then place the pipe and thermostat roughly , connect them with that stubborn clip, position the end into the water pump without full insertion carefully install the three thermostat bolts and nudge the pipe into the water pump as you finish the thermostat mount. A freaking PIA. Oh, good chance to disassemble and clean the throttle body and intake manifold. Install new gaskets. The design with that cheap hunk of plastic, pipe, should have been a good flexible coolant hose with the associated casting change to the pump inlet. And the pump impeller should be a higher quality durable metal not the current plastic.

[@Cosme422]

@@raymondferreri3151 After I was done, I told myself there is no way I would have done this job without removing the intake manifold! So glad I did.

[@iissac22]

This will be the second time after about 2 yrs

[@rfcasey]

Me too! Unless if you want to spend your bank account on OEM. Two possible reasons why they do not last. One and the most likely, is that the plastic is cheap and fatigues easily. Two the antifreeze, it is not OEM perhaps it is wears on the plastic part longer.