Water pump leaks - how many miles?
#26
#27
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Eastern Long Island, NY
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Man, I hoped this list wouldn't continue growing. Though I suspected it would. Such low mileage...
For anyone tuning in, you will really have to ASK for the aluminum version of the waterpump. MINI is still replacing plastic with plastic even though some of their techs have been updated about the aluminum version.
Since I ran my car intermittently over the last month and a half I noticed that the leak actually became less as the weather warmed slightly. Could it be that plastic is more vulnerable to contracting in cold weather and then the gasket doesn't seat perfectly?? The day my pump came out, it literally wasn't leaking at all...
I do wish MINI would step up and do the right thing. There's just too many cars with too few miles on them to have this kind of issue. Especially TWICE! My 2000 Jeep Cherokee has the original water pump - 111,000.
For anyone tuning in, you will really have to ASK for the aluminum version of the waterpump. MINI is still replacing plastic with plastic even though some of their techs have been updated about the aluminum version.
Since I ran my car intermittently over the last month and a half I noticed that the leak actually became less as the weather warmed slightly. Could it be that plastic is more vulnerable to contracting in cold weather and then the gasket doesn't seat perfectly?? The day my pump came out, it literally wasn't leaking at all...
I do wish MINI would step up and do the right thing. There's just too many cars with too few miles on them to have this kind of issue. Especially TWICE! My 2000 Jeep Cherokee has the original water pump - 111,000.
#29
Man, I hoped this list wouldn't continue growing. Though I suspected it would. Such low mileage...
For anyone tuning in, you will really have to ASK for the aluminum version of the waterpump. MINI is still replacing plastic with plastic even though some of their techs have been updated about the aluminum version.
For anyone tuning in, you will really have to ASK for the aluminum version of the waterpump. MINI is still replacing plastic with plastic even though some of their techs have been updated about the aluminum version.
#31
That's definitely the part #. Cannot vouch for either of those vendors since I've never used them. I understand that the price difference between the 2 pumps is $10 - MINI'S cost... Those are really great prices and at least the pictures of the pump look exactly like mine.
#33
49k, outta warranty, outta luck.
Can someone tell me if the OEM Mini pump was upgraded/updated to a metal housing? I received a quote for a OEM pump @ $200. I am okay with this IF it is metal. Not a plastic one that will fault again.
I have heard rumors that some aftermarket metal pumps have a shaft that is too long and it needs to be ground down. I am also skeptical of buying aftermarket for fear of a inferior product. Suggestions my friends?
Need some suggestions on a great metal pump. I wanna get this over with and on the road again.
Can someone tell me if the OEM Mini pump was upgraded/updated to a metal housing? I received a quote for a OEM pump @ $200. I am okay with this IF it is metal. Not a plastic one that will fault again.
I have heard rumors that some aftermarket metal pumps have a shaft that is too long and it needs to be ground down. I am also skeptical of buying aftermarket for fear of a inferior product. Suggestions my friends?
Need some suggestions on a great metal pump. I wanna get this over with and on the road again.
#34
#35
#36
Anyone know the torque specs for the water pump to block bolts?
#41
kyoo - for the water pump, I had a very noticeable coolant leak going on. My understanding is that if bad enough, the pump can seize up, which would then lead to overheating (hopefully not catastrophic, but that is the main risk). I noticed I was getting varying heat in the mornings (warm in motion, cool when stopped), but I think that was more a sign of a failing thermostat (which I had replaced).
#42
Just a follow-up. Trying to follow the Bentley manual instructions, I was able to get the old pump out. However, when I was test fitting the HEPU it looks like it too has a spindle that is too long. I ended up turning my project over to a real mechanic. They were able to finish the job using the HEPU. Not sure I would have been able to.
kyoo - for the water pump, I had a very noticeable coolant leak going on. My understanding is that if bad enough, the pump can seize up, which would then lead to overheating (hopefully not catastrophic, but that is the main risk). I noticed I was getting varying heat in the mornings (warm in motion, cool when stopped), but I think that was more a sign of a failing thermostat (which I had replaced).
kyoo - for the water pump, I had a very noticeable coolant leak going on. My understanding is that if bad enough, the pump can seize up, which would then lead to overheating (hopefully not catastrophic, but that is the main risk). I noticed I was getting varying heat in the mornings (warm in motion, cool when stopped), but I think that was more a sign of a failing thermostat (which I had replaced).
#43
Just a follow-up. Trying to follow the Bentley manual instructions, I was able to get the old pump out. However, when I was test fitting the HEPU it looks like it too has a spindle that is too long. I ended up turning my project over to a real mechanic. They were able to finish the job using the HEPU. Not sure I would have been able to.
#44
The water pump is located on the passenger side and it drips down the motor and we onto the passenger side of the vehicle.
Where the coolant leaks is a certain telltale of what part is failing.
#45
#46
The tank has "COLD" & "HOT" lines and I was staying at those lines when the engine was cold and hot respectively.
#47
When both water pump and thermostat housing were leaking (just before replacing) I was using almost all the coolant in my expansion tank. I would have to top it off almost every day. And MINI coolant is not cheap.
The tank has "COLD" & "HOT" lines and I was staying at those lines when the engine was cold and hot respectively.
The tank has "COLD" & "HOT" lines and I was staying at those lines when the engine was cold and hot respectively.
#48
#49
#50
I am sorry, you are correct. It is MIN & MAX. Sorry I was thinking of my other car.
If you have only filled it once then you might just be starting to see the begining stages of one of the two parts begining to fail.
My thermostat housing started leak a little around where the temp sensor goes. And then the major leaking was when the two halves of the housing (which are glued together) started leaking where the return pipe attaches the housing.
The water pump leaks at the bottom of the pump from what looks like an electrical plug of sorts. Easiest way to see that is to jack up the car and crawl under there and use a flash light to see if there is any dried up coolant on the pump or block.
When the water pump begins to leak it leaks so slow that the coolant dries up from the heat before it touches the ground. The telltale is the greenish/blue colour on the block.