Stock Problems/Issues Discussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Unknown coolant leak

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Old Dec 2, 2008 | 06:29 AM
  #1  
frumpysf's Avatar
frumpysf
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2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Sacramento/San Francisco
Unknown coolant leak

Just wondering if anyone had similar symtoms for this sort of coolant leak.

2 months ago, I got into an accident (their fault, their insurance covered repair work). Damage was at the front passenger side corner, impact was on my HID headlight. Speed was approx 35-40. Everything was fine before the accident...

About 2 weeks after getting my car back, I noticed a puddle in my driveway. I took it into the dealership since it was due for it's annual maintenence anyway. SA said they found a coolant leak. So they supposedly fixed it. 1 week later, I noticed the fluid line was below the Min. line. So I took it back to the dealership. They ran tests and can't find the problem. However, they replaced the thermostat anyways since I'm still covered under warranty. A week later, I checked my coolant level to find the line below Min. again, however there are no puddles on the ground.

Where else can I check for a source of problems if there's no puddles to be found, yet my coolant level keeps dropping, and the dealership techs can't find any problems??
 
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Old Dec 2, 2008 | 04:18 PM
  #2  
NTACTUALSIZE's Avatar
NTACTUALSIZE
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 35
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im in az and that happens to me all the time and my dealer tells me there is nothing wrong i dont believe it though. there has to be something wrong my mini isnt just thristy all the time is it?
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 04:28 AM
  #3  
cooper4gary's Avatar
cooper4gary
Neutral
Joined: Feb 2005
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coolant leak

I have been experiencing the same leak since about 40,000 miles. Overflow is empty every several days (depending on drive distance). Any suggestions??
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 07:08 AM
  #4  
D3m0N's Avatar
D3m0N
Coordinator :: Eastern Iowa MINIs
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Round Rock, TX
Mine was dropping due to bad cap on radiator never noticed steam or anything they had to do a pressure test
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 07:14 AM
  #5  
asodestrom's Avatar
asodestrom
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,806
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From: Santa Rosa, CA
Had a similar problem after being hit on the driver side. Finally replaced the radiator and no more problems.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 08:19 AM
  #6  
xsmini's Avatar
xsmini
6th Gear
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 28
From: Bishop, Ca
Had this problem over the summer. Turned out the header cap (coolant tank) was bad. Replaced, no problems since.

Nik
 
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 02:48 PM
  #7  
minigirl78's Avatar
minigirl78
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
From: Lansing, MI
I have the exact same problem, but so far no solution. Took it into the dealer the first time and they replaced the thermostat. Second time they said the gasket that seals it closed had been bumped a little loose when they put in the new transmission, replaced the gasket. But I still have to fill the coolant every few days.

Does anyone know specifically what the problem is? Or could this just be one of half of a dozen minor annoyances?

Thanks!
 
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 03:30 PM
  #8  
1FSTMINI's Avatar
1FSTMINI
6th Gear
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Hotlanta
check the rad cap. a lot of times people think its tight and its not causing a slow leak. the dealer replaced my heater core and after leaving smoke started pouring out of the hood...popped the hood and saw the coolant tank was wet so i took the cap off to check the seal and re-installed the cap and it was fine.
 
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