Part 2 - Thermostat assembly and crossover tube install on 2009 R56 Mini Cooper

[@TheAtomicplumber]

I loved your video. Thanks for sharing honestly your experience. Your pit falls will be the same ones we are confronted with and have to walk through.

[@mcmcminicooper]

Thanks really appreciate it. My objective is to share useful and honest information

[@HMSFord]

Just finished test driving my 2009 Mini after changing the thermostat assembly and crossover tube, and everything checked out fine. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, especially for the part on how you changed the crossover tube. It 'only' took me about a half hour to do that part, but if it weren't for your video it would've taken much longer. Thanks again!

[@byunghochoi]

Awesome channel :) I've already learned so much in fixing my own car! Thanks a lot for the great instructional videos.

[@mcmcminicooper]

Thanks for watching!

[@tm5346]

I drove to Mini Cooper 2 1/2 hours away from house I bought all OEM ! for sure that piece of plastic is literally junk ! I’m hoping 🤞the shop doesn’t break it I don’t have a back up If they accidentally break# 1 mini / bmw They won’t not send third-party uggggrr BS ! Shop don’t think thermostat housing I know it is! I finally could see the leak small leak change my mind 3 times bought 2 different thermostat housing‼️ended buying all OEM dealership! PS newsflash I’ve read so much stuff about this problem & videos! Thanks again i’m thinking your videos will start hitting the top of KZbin congrats ! Just a gut feeling! I think I should be paid for watch Shit ton of videos lol knowledgeable calm keep up the good work! recall on Some mini convertible especially! Putting VIN# it does not show up although it does show up on nsda book.. definitely did show recall! R56 keep your receipts if the car is not over 120,000 miles I believe reimbursement!

[@digitors]

I just housing from Amazon. I hope it’s good quality, haven’t installed yet

[@soyabean911]

Great vid. I did this job earlier in the year. The cross over pipe installation is the work of Satan! The only way I could get it in was to use the o'ring from the original part which was a softer material. Perhaps if you buy an oem crossover pipe the quality would be better, not sure. Also if the crossover pipe it not all the way in, continue with the thermostat install and as you screw that in, it pushes the cross over pipe fully home. This is not a job I'd want to do too often. Absolutely crappy design imo. But I love my Mini, so we persevere. 😂

[@mcmcminicooper]

I wish someone had a crossover pipe that was metal. I think it would last longer or never need changing unless the o ring fails. Thanks for watching. Also a love hate relationship with my Mini

[@timothysmith7465]

I don’t think you need the wooden plug to enable pushing the crossover pipe into the water pump. I put a new crossover pipe loosely in place, joined the thermostat housing to the crossover pipe and pushed the retaining spring thing in place. I could then get all the purchase needed to easily push the crossover pipe home into the back of the water pump. I put loads of water soluble lube on the end of the crossover pipe. No need to take off the manifold or struggle to refit the retaining spring thing after pushing the crossover over pipe home.

[@mcmcminicooper]

I like your suggestion. Never thought of connecting the thermostat assembly to crossover tube and then use the thermostat assembly as a way to push the pipe on. Much easier than trying to push the tube on by itself.

[@timothysmith7465]

Thanks for posting the video, it was really helpful.

[@digitors]

Nice. I have 2009 Clubman stick. Have link to instructions?

[@mcmcminicooper]

bmwrepairguide.com/mini-r56-thermostat-replacement/

[@digitors]

Thanks a lot. It says all models I should be good. Will be my first time attempting this. Will do the back pipe as well.

[@mcmcminicooper]

@@digitors Good luck. Go slow. Someone in my comments suggested removing the head to get to crossover piper easier because it is only held on by only 6 bolts. I didn’t do this and not sure if I feel comfortable doing that.

[@digitors]

I’ll take my time. Initially I ordered the metal housing and sensor cover broke in transit, I then reordered a plastic one from Amazon, hoping it’s good quality. Now waiting for crossover pipe to arrive

[@alexgoh1317]

This is the best video, your video has helped me a lot. After you change the thermostat what is the coolant temp that you are getting? I got the same brand as yours but I am getting like 105 degree C

[@mcmcminicooper]

105 C (221F) is the same is what I'm getting which is the rated opening temperature. I don't get any high temperature warning light but this is higher than my old thermostat before it failed. Apparently, Minis like to run hot so they can get the fuel efficiency they claim, but I would think it take years off the life of the engine. (Finding out that these cars were not designed to last decades rather just years) Don't know for sure, but I'm thinking the drift for it to open gets lower as it ages (obviously unless it fails and is stuck closed). The reading on my OBDII appears to be more accurate than the temp gauge I installed (the sensors are in two different locations in the cooling system). I want to pull a vacuum on the cooling system again to just make sure I don't have air in the system somewhere. Good luck.

[@tm5346]

F Excellent teacher now I’m starting to think again I don’t wanna do it

[@sliznippa]

Is that crossover tube easier to get at from underneath? I have access to a lift that I’ll use if it makes it much easier. I tried from the top but could never get the thermostat housing to seat properly to the crossover. I might try using the old o ring like someone else mentioned.

[@mcmcminicooper]

I had to crawl under to remove the single bolt and to make sure the it was seated all the way. It is very difficult with the new O ring so the tool I made to push it in easier. There is just no good way of getting enough leverage or grip to push it on with a new O ring. Good luck

[@FacePlantAnt]

Did you end up needing the wiring adapter that comes with the thermostat? I bought the same brand but accidentally bought the one without the wiring adapter. Thanks for the video! I'm planning on replacing the thermostat this week.

[@mcmcminicooper]

I did not need the wiring adapter for my install. I can’t remember what circumstance you’ll need it. If I remember correctly, it was like a Y adapter where the signal splits to two connectors. Not difficult if you take your time. Good luck

[@FacePlantAnt]

@@mcmcminicooper thanks for the quick response! Yeah, it's a Y adapter cable. Also thank you for the valve cover gasket video, I had to do that about a month ago.

[@rue2973]

So many people say this job is so difficult... just zip the manifold off held on by 5 nutts a bolt and a piece of rubber and you can get to it with absolutely no issue at all.

[@mcmcminicooper]

Crossover tube was a pain for me but with the manifold off, it would have been much easier. I’ll have to try that next. The thermostat failed just after 2 years!

[@rue2973]

@@mcmcminicooper my first one lasted 20k miles then I got the updated version annnnnd then my next one failed 70k miles later, they really are a crapshoot when it comes to longevity. But ya, do your self a massive favor and take off the intake manifold. While you're at it, clean your nasty ass valves 😝

[@tm5346]

What brand did you buy I’m not sure I have checked three different times on three different websites and it always says yes it but than it’s ask for more about car ?

[@mcmcminicooper]

I purchased mine on Rockauto. There is a wide selection and it took me awhile to pick one. I finally picked FACET 78927K {#7.8927K} (Standard Replacement) Includes Thermostat, Housing and Gasket; Includes Cable Info W/CABLE. They sold me on the welding process they use. It seems to work fine. The thermostat opens a little later than I would like but appears to open at the 221F or 105C temperature which it is rated for.

[@tm5346]

Thank you for responding!

[@tm5346]

Love you you mini has came a long way ! The 505 dose it work? Lol obviously I watch all your videos! Thanks again!

[@tm5346]

Omg idk shit whatever There any possible way that she could’ve went underneath the car loosened it up without it breaking is that possible

[@mcmcminicooper]

Anything is possible. It might have been movie magic

[@tm5346]

Lol

[@raymondferreri3151]

I'm in the middle of this job.. The first cross over pipe I was using Febi Bilstein was actually 1/4inch shorter than pipe removed. Hence it would not fully seat with the thermostat housing, which BTW was exactly the same original size. Now waiting for another pipe from Rein which I hope is exact length.. This is critical dimension with nil allowed tolerance. I wasted 8 hrs finding that out the hard way.

[@mcmcminicooper]

Bummer…I wish someone would make an aluminum crossover pipe!

[@raymondferreri3151]

@@mcmcminicooper and the housing with a conventional thermostat replacement

[@rue2973]

​@@mcmcminicooperthey do ecs sells it

[@jose73248]

That water pipe design is just crap. When I heard that BMW and PSA designed this engine, never wonder that kind of failure from them. Thanks for posting the wood pusher idea. I'll try that way, as soon I recover the pain of my right arm I had from the first assembly attempt.

[@tm5346]

I don’t know why I’m not have A warning light YET! I dammit!

[@tm5346]

Wtf omg ! Ugg Ya got have water pipe

[@DesertMisfit]

Please don't do this...... Diy isn't for everybody, call a professional dear God.

[@mcmcminicooper]

True, Definitely if you never worked on car