Some tips from my recent water pipe installation: 1 - Before installing the pipe, lubricate the o-ring with silicone lubricant or some vaseline, which will help it seat into place more easily. 2 - before installing the pipe, use a paint marker to mark where the thermostat housing and water pipe seat together. This will help when lining them up to install the thermostat housing. 3 - if you are having an issues pressing the pipe into the water pump to seat the o-ring, you can use a ball to press on the other side of the pipe. I used a lacrosse ball, which gave better purchase to press on and is easier on the pipe than using a pry-bar. 4 - when installing the water pipe, make sure it is oriented correctly. There's a small section of plastic between where the two gaps are that the metal clip inserts through. This gap should face straight up and then be rotated about 5 degrees towards the front of the car. This will help the thermostat seat properly since there's a small tab on the thermostat housing which fits into a tiny groove on the end of the water pipe. 5 - When installing the Thermostat housing, install the small hose (the lowest one towards the front of the car) first, before inserting the part into place. It's a LOT easier to connect this hose before installing the housing below that mess of wires and hoses. 6 - It isn't too hard to install the water pipe with the air intake in place (provided that the thermostat housing has been removed). But it is nearly impossible to install the metal clip between the water pipe and thermostat housing with the air intake in place. I removed the 5 top screws for the air intake, pushed it way back and held it in place with a screwdriver handle (between the intake and the block), and that provided enough space to lower the clip with a magnet until it was above the grooves and I could reach around the thermostat side to push the clip down into place. Good Luck.
Did this over the weekend, great video! I was able to avoid removing the intake manifold by unplugging the wires on the passenger side of the manifold, that gave me just enough space to snake my hand down into the water pump to clean out the broken pieces of pipe with a fingernail lol
For whoever is wondering, at least on a non-turbo engine (N16), the pipe is super easy to replace. Remove thermostat, go under the car and unhook the connector(s) then pull the pipe from the top. To install: place the new pipe from the top under the manifold, go under the car and insert the end into the water pump, redo the connector, you are done.
When removing the water pipe, if a piece of the o ring connection to the water pump breaks (likely) - you do not automatically have to remove the intake manifold. You can snake your arm and back there and remove any little bits from the water pump with your fingers by feel.
The bit at the very end where you say how to use the thermostat housing to seat the connection to the water pipe so you can get the metal clip in was handy. I have a 2010 JCW that I'm trying to change the waterpipe and thermostat housing out on and if you don't screw down the thermostat housing before trying to clip the waterpipe on, it's almost impossible to get the angle and pressure right.
Didn't think I was replacing this part but when I went to replace my thermostat housing while doing my clutch, the pipe ripped apart from the water pump. I'd advise anyone with a Mini Cooper (BMW even) to keep an eye on every plastic coolant pipe as they turn to a beef jerky or licorice type of material with all of the heat they see. Particularly, thermostat housing outlet, turbo coolant T pipe, waterpump/crossover pipe.
You have some awesome detail videos. Thanks for making them. Question about the pipe, I see they also sell metal pipe do you recommend that or would you stick with OEM Plastic one?
I replaced my water pump and it was leaking even more than when it was before, so I got a new gasket and made sure everything was torqued to speck and it is still leaking worse then before I touched it…. Would it be the pipe being the problem all along?
At about the 2 minute point is exactly where I would be editing out of this video every 4-letter word that I knew. I wonder if the Mini engineers were smart enough to have kept their phone numbers unlisted.
quick question? the wire harness that is attached to the crossover do you know where does it go? mine unplugged and I can't find it where does it go? Thank you.
Hiya, I followed your videos which were really helpful. 👍 The cross over pipe is a ***** to change. Getting the new one on and the thermostat screwed down nearly killed me. Needed to loosen the inlet manifold too. Anyway finally done, no water leaks but I've noticed the turbo is not currently providing boost. I am certain that I connected both vacuum lines. Any ideas what could have caused this? One of the connectors possibly? The one which was lowest on the thermostat side (the other end connected to the high pressure fuel pump) I can't recall if I connected that one. Any idea if that could be the culprit. Will dismantle tomorrow. 🙄
Well I realize this post is a year old but there is a module that mounts underneath the intake that has vacuum lines running to it as well as an electrical connection or two, it controls turbo pressure or something like that, that's the first thing I would check. You should be able to chase the vacuum line from the turbo all the way to the connector.
Hi when I fill up my radiator bottle water pours out somewhere at the back of the engine against the firewall. Does that mean that The water pipe is broken
I got same problem, it is like the new water pipe is a bit too short or the O ring is small diameter. I have a Febi one ordered as it may be cheap and nasty one I got is not too good
Best cross over pipe video I have found. I am changing mine this weekend. I have one question. Can you see or do anything from below when trying to press cross over hose into the back of the water pump? Can you see anything from below? THANKS!
Sean Feyrer if you have trouble getting it in just remove your intake manifold, it will be super easy then. I have a video on how to do that as well. Its linked in the description
For anyone else wondering, on my 2012 mini (n18 engine), if you look down the intake pipe on the left side of the engine you can push it away and see right where that coolant pipe slips into the waterpump
Don’t forget to subscribe ua-cam.com/users/projectmini
Some tips from my recent water pipe installation:
1 - Before installing the pipe, lubricate the o-ring with silicone lubricant or some vaseline, which will help it seat into place more easily.
2 - before installing the pipe, use a paint marker to mark where the thermostat housing and water pipe seat together. This will help when lining them up to install the thermostat housing.
3 - if you are having an issues pressing the pipe into the water pump to seat the o-ring, you can use a ball to press on the other side of the pipe. I used a lacrosse ball, which gave better purchase to press on and is easier on the pipe than using a pry-bar.
4 - when installing the water pipe, make sure it is oriented correctly. There's a small section of plastic between where the two gaps are that the metal clip inserts through. This gap should face straight up and then be rotated about 5 degrees towards the front of the car. This will help the thermostat seat properly since there's a small tab on the thermostat housing which fits into a tiny groove on the end of the water pipe.
5 - When installing the Thermostat housing, install the small hose (the lowest one towards the front of the car) first, before inserting the part into place. It's a LOT easier to connect this hose before installing the housing below that mess of wires and hoses.
6 - It isn't too hard to install the water pipe with the air intake in place (provided that the thermostat housing has been removed). But it is nearly impossible to install the metal clip between the water pipe and thermostat housing with the air intake in place. I removed the 5 top screws for the air intake, pushed it way back and held it in place with a screwdriver handle (between the intake and the block), and that provided enough space to lower the clip with a magnet until it was above the grooves and I could reach around the thermostat side to push the clip down into place.
Good Luck.
Thank you for these videos. This car is so daunting to work on. You have such a calming demeanor.
Man everytime I think of a issue your right on it with a solution appreciate it
Thank you 🙏
Did this over the weekend, great video! I was able to avoid removing the intake manifold by unplugging the wires on the passenger side of the manifold, that gave me just enough space to snake my hand down into the water pump to clean out the broken pieces of pipe with a fingernail lol
For whoever is wondering, at least on a non-turbo engine (N16), the pipe is super easy to replace. Remove thermostat, go under the car and unhook the connector(s) then pull the pipe from the top. To install: place the new pipe from the top under the manifold, go under the car and insert the end into the water pump, redo the connector, you are done.
When removing the water pipe, if a piece of the o ring connection to the water pump breaks (likely) - you do not automatically have to remove the intake manifold. You can snake your arm and back there and remove any little bits from the water pump with your fingers by feel.
The bit at the very end where you say how to use the thermostat housing to seat the connection to the water pipe so you can get the metal clip in was handy. I have a 2010 JCW that I'm trying to change the waterpipe and thermostat housing out on and if you don't screw down the thermostat housing before trying to clip the waterpipe on, it's almost impossible to get the angle and pressure right.
Thank you for watching and glad i could help!
Didn't think I was replacing this part but when I went to replace my thermostat housing while doing my clutch, the pipe ripped apart from the water pump.
I'd advise anyone with a Mini Cooper (BMW even) to keep an eye on every plastic coolant pipe as they turn to a beef jerky or licorice type of material with all of the heat they see. Particularly, thermostat housing outlet, turbo coolant T pipe, waterpump/crossover pipe.
You have some awesome detail videos. Thanks for making them. Question about the pipe, I see they also sell metal pipe do you recommend that or would you stick with OEM Plastic one?
I replaced my water pump and it was leaking even more than when it was before, so I got a new gasket and made sure everything was torqued to speck and it is still leaking worse then before I touched it…. Would it be the pipe being the problem all along?
At about the 2 minute point is exactly where I would be editing out of this video every 4-letter word that I knew. I wonder if the Mini engineers were smart enough to have kept their phone numbers unlisted.
quick question? the wire harness that is attached to the crossover do you know where does it go? mine unplugged and I can't find it where does it go? Thank you.
Hiya, I followed your videos which were really helpful. 👍
The cross over pipe is a ***** to change. Getting the new one on and the thermostat screwed down nearly killed me. Needed to loosen the inlet manifold too. Anyway finally done, no water leaks but I've noticed the turbo is not currently providing boost. I am certain that I connected both vacuum lines. Any ideas what could have caused this? One of the connectors possibly? The one which was lowest on the thermostat side (the other end connected to the high pressure fuel pump) I can't recall if I connected that one. Any idea if that could be the culprit. Will dismantle tomorrow. 🙄
Well I realize this post is a year old but there is a module that mounts underneath the intake that has vacuum lines running to it as well as an electrical connection or two, it controls turbo pressure or something like that, that's the first thing I would check. You should be able to chase the vacuum line from the turbo all the way to the connector.
@@Globbs Thx Crispy, that was exactly what the problem was. One of them was not on properly. Thank goodness.👍🏼
Sorry i never saw your comment, I’m glad you got it fixed though 💪
Hi mate, please share the link for map sensor cleaning of mini cooper 2008.
Buy a n18 and redo all your videos please haha there very helpful just a few different on them tbf
how do you know if the crossover pipe need to replace any suggestion please and thank you , mine only have 20000 miles
If its not leaking you should be fine. I usually leaks on the side by the water pump
Hi when I fill up my radiator bottle water pours out somewhere at the back of the engine against the firewall. Does that mean that The water pipe is broken
I got same problem, it is like the new water pipe is a bit too short or the O ring is small diameter. I have a Febi one ordered as it may be cheap and nasty one I got is not too good
Best cross over pipe video I have found. I am changing mine this weekend. I have one question. Can you see or do anything from below when trying to press cross over hose into the back of the water pump? Can you see anything from below?
THANKS!
I don’t believe so, but ive never looked. Its not to hard to fit it in though
Thanks!! Tomorrow will be fun....
Sean Feyrer if you have trouble getting it in just remove your intake manifold, it will be super easy then. I have a video on how to do that as well. Its linked in the description
For anyone else wondering, on my 2012 mini (n18 engine), if you look down the intake pipe on the left side of the engine you can push it away and see right where that coolant pipe slips into the waterpump
I can't fit it out bulling towards driver side my throttle cables are in the way
If youre watching this, get a metal pipe.
Is leaking bad 😭😭😭
Garbage car garbage cheap plastic parts annoying design
Use a drop of dish soap.
Phrasing...