2009 R56 Mini Hacthback
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Joined: Dec 2016
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2009 R56 Mini Hacthback
Greetings:
Mike, here. Recent Mini owner, I picked it up when we got a new BMW X1 to limit miles on it and for something zippy. Two weeks in it developed an oil leak: dropped several quarts in a few minutes. Took it to a local well reviewed shop and got it back pretty quickly for under five hundred. during diagnosis a coolant problem was evidenced with a higher $ tag. I opted to delay repair as the wife would have started "making lemonade".
Now, I am dumping a little over a gallon of coolant a week and searching for options to correct the problem and prevent resultant damage to occur. Still considering letting the shop do the work, but the cash outlay for the car has me strapped. Above that I want to explore my Mini and more self-sufficient.
Here's hoping I can solve it quickly and started on upgrades and fun mods.
Mike, here. Recent Mini owner, I picked it up when we got a new BMW X1 to limit miles on it and for something zippy. Two weeks in it developed an oil leak: dropped several quarts in a few minutes. Took it to a local well reviewed shop and got it back pretty quickly for under five hundred. during diagnosis a coolant problem was evidenced with a higher $ tag. I opted to delay repair as the wife would have started "making lemonade".
Now, I am dumping a little over a gallon of coolant a week and searching for options to correct the problem and prevent resultant damage to occur. Still considering letting the shop do the work, but the cash outlay for the car has me strapped. Above that I want to explore my Mini and more self-sufficient.
Here's hoping I can solve it quickly and started on upgrades and fun mods.
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 706
Likes: 10
From: Hilliard, Ohio
Welcome.
Do you have a base or S model? How many miles? Let us know where you are located and we may know a Indy MINI shop near you. Not all shops can deal with MINIs even if they say they can.
On the S model the turbo lines are known to leak over time. http://www.detroittuned.com has a great kit to update those lines and it is a DIY project if you have base skills.
Also the thermostat housing can leak. It is plastic, looks like a Jarvic heart pump and sits on the driver side of the valve cover under the air box hoses.
Also prone to leaking is the oil filter housing unit. On the turbo model it also has a coolant block and they are external to the motor and require 2 gasket sets to repair. It is a lot of work to get to but doable. I just did one myself and the dealer wanted $800 to install $35 gasket set (non-turbo).
Search the classifieds here and pick up a Bentley manual for the gen 2 cars. Best money you will spend. It is the only manual for MINI and only comes in print. No e-copy.
Do you have a base or S model? How many miles? Let us know where you are located and we may know a Indy MINI shop near you. Not all shops can deal with MINIs even if they say they can.
On the S model the turbo lines are known to leak over time. http://www.detroittuned.com has a great kit to update those lines and it is a DIY project if you have base skills.
Also the thermostat housing can leak. It is plastic, looks like a Jarvic heart pump and sits on the driver side of the valve cover under the air box hoses.
Also prone to leaking is the oil filter housing unit. On the turbo model it also has a coolant block and they are external to the motor and require 2 gasket sets to repair. It is a lot of work to get to but doable. I just did one myself and the dealer wanted $800 to install $35 gasket set (non-turbo).
Search the classifieds here and pick up a Bentley manual for the gen 2 cars. Best money you will spend. It is the only manual for MINI and only comes in print. No e-copy.
Welcome to NAM, and sorry to hear about the difficulties. If you are thinking of changing out the thermostat yourself, we have a video on our site and a whole section devoted just to the R56. Any questions, please ask.
Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.
Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.
