Man is it ever hot out today! Drove in to town to meet a friend for lunch and when I got back I noticed a trail of thick liquid running down the wheel skirt on drivers side. Looked like something leaking from engine compartment. Popped the bonnet and found the souce of cosmoline melting out from underneath. I knew right away what it was from information read here on NAM previously. Without that prior knowledge I would have spent all afternoon trying to figure it out.

 

My wife's Clubman and my Cooper S have had alot of cosmoline dripping from the car of late with this hot weather. Windex or any glass cleaner and soft cloth takes it right off with no residue. Saw it somewhere here on NAM.

 

I got the cosmoline outta Ollie's system last summer I hope. 100 degree+ days made him leak like crazy.. hopefully it's gone now

 

Okay ....this is all news to me. Can someone please fill me in. Thanks.

 

Cosmoline is a wax like substance that is sprayed on the Mini before it is shipped on a boat. It's supposed to keep the salty air from affecting the paint. They clean it off at the port. Usually there is residual cosmoline left in the harder to clean areas (like inside the hood, between the outer/inner skins).

 

Anti-rust stuff. Kinda like petroleum jelly. What's left after they prep your MINI is burned/melted off. Accounts for an odd smell if you happen to test drive a new MINI on the interstate (MA didn't tell me I couldn't, but jokingly scolded me for "obviously" going past the break in requirements).

 

Thanks

Dean.

 

good to know! I'll be taking delivery in mid august here in sweltering Arkansas so that will save at least one frantic call to my MA! Thanks!!