I realize that cosmoline has been discussed in other threads, but I am curious just how many of us have Minis whose once beautiful facades have been damaged by cosmoline? I've owned my 2009 Cooper S hatchback for two months and just discovered two leaks within the past week. I feel like I've let down my little cooper.

 

Cosmoline happens, only thing you can do is clean as best as you can as soon as you see it and complain to you dealer to get it fixed. Could be worse, parts could be rusting away from the trek over.

I think Ferris has one small spot on the driver side wheel arch that may be from cosmoline, for the most part I don't worry about it. I figure that the arch will be replaced eventually anyway, just like the passenger side due to normal wear and tear and the occasional guardrail jumping out in front of me.

 

I thought I was free from Cosmoline seeping out of my car, but then last Sunday, after my car was in a sunny HEB parking lot for hour, I come back to my car and see a fresh stream of Cosmoline running down my front bumper . Luckily it was fresh and i had a towel handy and i wiped it up before any permanent damage was done. I have not seen any since then, but then again I don't park in the hot sun that often.

 

My poor, poor Mini! I have only had Murphy for two months, and clean him fairly often. I noticed cosmoline on one of my wheel arches a few weeks ago, and yesterday I saw a line of the stuff dripping down my Mini's nose, just below the bonnet. I tried washing it away, but no dice. I feel terrible because I love this little car, and I'm really trying to keep him clean.

 

Cosmoline happens. Clean it fast now! Better than rust.

 

Clap!

 

Clappity clap! I carry a rag and cleaner in BOTH the GP and the Clubman just for this issue.

 

I've got cosmoline on my front arches, but I was warned about it by my salesman when I bought the car. He told me to wait until the weather cooled for the year (November or so) and then bring it in and they would replace the arches. He did tell me that they would only do it once, though, so bringing it in while the weather was still warm (and the chances of further leaks still high) wasn't going to be worth it.

 

yes, I had that too. my arches had gotten stained and so they replaced them for me and cleaned the engine very thoroughly. they'll generally treat you right because they know the cosmoline is a problem.

clap clap!

 

CLAP!

I have had quite a few Cosmoline probs. Both fronts and the passenger side boot door. I have found that cleaning it with full strength Simple Green has done the trick but still have a slight stain on one of the fronts.

Key.....open the bonnet and do your best to stop it at the source by cleaning away! It is an ongoing battle but someday hopefully it will cease!

 

my 05 weeped cosmoline the entire 3.5 years and 28K I owned it. I remember cleaning some off the rear MINI badge right before I traded it away (it would weep out from under the window chrome).

the solution: switched to Klasse All in One polisher and cleaner, that way the surface was so slick the Coz would just wipe off and leave no stain. If it stained, re-Klasse it. worked grreat on plastic as well...

My 09 is blessed, tho. nothing so far.

 

+1 on the Simple Green cleaning method (only on the plastic arches though)....I use a detailing spray (Slick from Prima, or Meguiar's makes a decent one) on the paint if I find cosmoline. Try and catch it as soon as you can!

 

wtf is cosmoline?

 

Click on link... Not looking forward to it when my car arrives. Going to have to be on the lookout!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmoline

 

Yeah it's been seeping out of mine a bit as well. I have been doing my best to keep up with it.

 

It's funny, I head never heard of this stuff, and have just been wiping the weeping from the front fender wells since I bought mine. I guess I don't pack guns away for 100 years very regularly. Anyway, my question is: Where is it coming from? I've opened the hood and didn't see a trail, like it mysteriously appeared there one day. I do park in the hot sun regularly (no garage ) and every two weeks or so there's more of this stuff. I originally thought it was coming off the bonnet lifts, but I didn't see a trail there, either.

I'm glad it's not just me, and I'm glad to not have it rust after a few months of ownership, but is it really a clean-it-up-real-good issue, or a "leak" from somewhere more important?

Thanks everyone.

 

Clap.
I have a nice streak running down my back bumper. Also have a couple spots on the wheel arches. I've had it for a week. My wife's clubby does not have one bit from the 2 weeks we've had it. Go figure.

 

Clap Clap!!!

My car was ordered and delivered since March of this year, both front platic fender trim has stain that I couldn't get rid of, I emailed my dealer service manager and he said bring the car in this weekend for him to look at, I told him some people on the forum got free replacement and I would like to do the same. So hopefully I will get new trim.

 

several claps. 5 or 6 leaks at least (during a very hot summer)

 

literally everywhere not touched by the VDC power-wash system. it even gets in the washer nozzles, and can stain stripes bad. when these cars are coated, it is very thorough

 

i've never noticed any on my 08 MCS, but then again I didn't even know it existed before this thread. Anyone have any pics of it so I know what to look out for? thanks a ton!!

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...cosmoline.html

 

Thanks Sequence, I'll have to go over it with a fine-toothed comb next bath-time.

 

Mine leaks it onto the wheel arches. Been replaced once and it is back again. Oh well. It can keep leaking and the dealer can keep fixing it.

 

Went to dealership last Saturday and had the service manager looked at the cosmoline issue, they agree to replace for free , parts is on order .