18 32 050 Removing and installing/replacing the catalytic converter (B48, B46)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2019 MINI Cooper, 2018 MINI Cooper, 2017 MINI Cooper, 2016 MINI Cooper, and 2015 MINI Cooper. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Risk of burning!
Only perform this repair work after the exhaust system has cooled down.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Removal:

Remove rubber mounts (1) from the catalytic converter.

Check rubber mount. Replaced damaged rubber mounts.

Parts: Rubber mount

Fig 1: Rubber Mounts Of Catalytic Converter

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Fig 2: Exhaust-Air Duct Screws

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Release screws (1) on the exhaust-air duct.

Release screws (1) on left heat shield (3).

Release left heat shield (3) from guide pin (2) and remove.

Fig 3: Left Heat Shield, Guide Pin And Screws

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Release screws (1) on upper heat shield.

Fig 4: Upper Heat Shield Screws

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Release screw (1) on upper heat shield (2).

Feed out and remove upper heat shield (2).

Fig 5: Upper Heat Shield And Screw

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Release nuts (1) on the left of the catalytic converter.

Fig 6: Catalytic Converter Nuts

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Release clamp (1). The clamp must be replaced every time it is removed.

If necessary, replace clamp.

Parts: Clamp.

Clean sealing surface.

Release catalytic converter (2) from exhaust turbocharger and place to side.

Fig 7: Catalytic Converter And Clamp

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Release screws (1) on lower heat shield.

Release screw (2) and remove exhaust-air duct (3).

Fig 8: Exhaust-Air Duct And Screws

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Release screw (1) on lower heat shield above the exhaust turbocharger.

Fig 9: Screw On Lower Heat Shield

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Release screw (1) on lower left heat shield at the cylinder head.

Fig 10: Screw On Lower Left Heat Shield

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Place catalytic converter (1) to the side.

Release screws (2) on lower heat shield (3).

Feed out and remove heat shield (3) upwards.

Fig 11: Catalytic Converter, Heat Shield And Screws

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Release screws (1) and remove upper heat shield (2) at the cylinder head.

Fig 12: Upper Heat Shield And Screws

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Feed out catalytic converter (1) upwards and remove.

Fig 13: Catalytic Converter

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Preparation for installation:

Replace gasket (1) on catalytic converter.

Parts: Gasket.

Fig 14: Catalytic Converter Gasket

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Installation:

To facilitate the installation of the heat shields, join all screws first and tighten them afterwards.

Feed in lower heat shield (1) and place on the front axle.

Fig 15: Lower Heat Shield

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Feed in catalytic converter (1) from the top and place on the front axle.

Fig 16: Catalytic Converter

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Place catalytic converter (1) to the side.

Feed in lower heat shield (2) behind the exhaust turbocharger and secure with screws (2).

Fig 17: Catalytic Converter, Heat Shield And Screws

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NOTE: Join all screws of the heat shield first and tighten them afterwards.
Tightening torque 18 30 6AZ .

Fig 18: Screw On Lower Heat Shield

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Secure lower heat shield with screw (1) above the exhaust turbocharger.

NOTE: Join all screws of the heat shield first and tighten them afterwards.
Tightening torque 18 30 6AZ .

Secure lower heat shield with screw (1) on the left side of the cylinder head.

NOTE: Join all screws of the heat shield first and tighten them afterwards.
Tightening torque 18 30 6AZ .

Fig 19: Screw On Lower Left Heat Shield

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Join screws (1) on bottom of heat shield and tighten screws.

Tightening torque 18 30 6AZ .

Mount exhaust-air duct (3) and tighten screw (2).

Fig 20: Exhaust-Air Duct And Screws

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Mount catalytic converter (2) on exhaust turbocharger and holder.

Tighten clamp (1).

Tightening torque 18 30 1AZ .

Fig 21: Catalytic Converter And Clamp

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Tighten down nuts (1).

Tightening torque 18 30 2AZ .

Fig 22: Catalytic Converter Nuts

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Feed in upper heat shield (2) and secure with screw (1).

NOTE: Join all screws of the heat shield first and tighten them afterwards.
Tightening torque 18 30 6AZ .

Fig 23: Upper Heat Shield And Screw

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Secure upper heat shield with screws (1).

NOTE: Join all screws of the heat shield first and tighten them afterwards.
Tightening torque 18 30 6AZ .

Fig 24: Upper Heat Shield Screws

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Feed in left heat shield (3) and secure at the guide pin (2).

Join and tighten screws (1).

Tightening torque 18 30 6AZ .

Fig 25: Left Heat Shield, Guide Pin And Screws

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Tighten screws (1) on exhaust-air duct.

Tightening torque 18 30 6AZ .

Fig 26: Exhaust-Air Duct Screws

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Mount upper heat shield (2) on the cylinder head and tighten screws (1).

Tightening torque 18 30 5AZ .

Fig 27: Upper Heat Shield And Screws

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Connect rubber mount (1) to catalytic converter.

Fig 28: Rubber Mounts Of Catalytic Converter

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