I feel victim to the while your in there bug and bought a new Nissens radiator. Needless to say I'm now up the creek. The hose outlets are clocked wrong I can stretch them on, but they look slightly kinked. The oled radiator is now in the trash. The part number is 69703A.

Anyone else run into this problem? I'm just going to put it together, bu I will not be driving it with this hot mess.

 

Is this a factory plastic end cap radiator? Thats a bummer it doesn't fit properly. Id contact them and say something about it. Also after you contact them if things do not work out ok you can file a complaint with ebay and paypal, maybe even get a refund.

 

I'd send it back if it doesn't fit.

BTW, the part number for a Nissen Radiator that fits an r53 MINI that I looked up on ECS Tuning website is different than what you typed above.

Look at the ECS website and see if it's the same as yours. BTW Note: in the photo the radiator is upside-down. That would be the only way to stand it up to photograph it because of the "legs" that poke out on the bottom.

Could you unbolt the elbow hose ends and turn them over 180 degrees?

I had my oem one apart when it was leaking, just a rubber oring in a groove in there. My repair didn't work though, not sure if I over tightened it and cracked the old fatigued plastic case, or if the plastic flange in the elbow was just warped too much. It had many years on it though.

If the vendor will take it back, and you have time to exchange -less risk there. If you're stuck with it, I'd see if they'll turn around or even swap top for bottom if needed. That would be a sharp bend on the hose to leave it as it is, and you need good flow there in my opinion.

 

The lower flange unbolts, but rotating it would make it point the wrong direction. I saved the flanges off the OEM radiator, but I want to do some digging before I tear it back out. I more of irked that I bought new foam blocks etc from the dealer and stuck them on this turd

The box says Mini Cooper 01 and up on it. I bought it from Rock Auto.

I coulda shoulda bought a Mishimoto and been done with it.

Any one have any advice for aftermarket brands that are known to fit a R53

It looks like I won't be driving it until this mess is sorted

 

I did find out what the problem is. The radiator is for a standard Cooper and not an R53 like Rockauto claims on it's site

 

The correct one is here: MINI Part # 17117570489


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/17117570489/

We are here to help if you need anything about fitment , as some sites have items wrong for the model.

Let us know if you need anything else.

Thanks

 

I recently replaced the radiator in my 2004 MCS R53. You can find aftermarked versions all day long for $100; you can find name-brand 'OE spec' for $200; and you can spend $300 at the dealer for an 'official' MINI radiator. I got a Behr from ECS for about $200. It was virtually indistinguishable from the one originally put in the car.

 

This is a common problem when buying from the walmarts of auto parts. We keep the correct ones in stock and can get you one out ASAP.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/radiator-for-r52-r53.html

We also have a couple different all aluminum radiators for a little more.