Where o Where shall i go. looking for advice on a coolant leak that my service garage is baffeled over

I do love my 03 mini base model. but she has a coolant issue..

Paulmarklin

 

Can you describe the problem a little, we may be able to help.

 

If it's a random, small puddle of blue coolant that happens sometimes but not others.... it's probably a leaky thermostat gasket. Common problem. Replace thermostat and gasket as a assembly. Solved.

 

So the story goes a little like this. been to a certified min-min garge. they have replaced the thermostat and housing and radiator. to there remedie to fix the coolant leak. thats ok we did this. and they gave us some additional coolant to top her off. did this. but still she is loosing coolant. expansion tank is empty again and agian. two months have passed now called and they ask to bring back we did and they replaced the therm housing and thermostat again. they are pressure testing and holding 14-17 lbs all day so they are satisfied with this me too. but still after topping off she is still running empty! The oil is not filling with coolant all is normal in that dept. no signs on the nice clean cement floor at all> they tried the die test adding die to the coolant and using there fancy light to see ware of ware she might be loosing her cool?? no luck... kind of ware we are today... This is on a hardtop 03 base model we love this car.

just puzzled
Thanks

Paulmarklin

 

I would next check the tank itself, and the hose that runs from it. They are common sources of leaks in the older MINIs. The tanks get dried out and develop teeny cracks...and the hose can dry out and leak as well. If you've already done the thermostat and housing, this would be my next try.

 

Expansion tank cap? Another common problem on early model cars.