R55 dragging radiator hose fix?
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1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: South Pasadena, CA
dragging radiator hose fix?
Anyone have any experience with a dragging radiator hose, leading to a leak and loss of radiator fluid?
(This was discussed in a post from 2009 without any conclusions.)
My lower radiator started leaking as I pulled into my driveway last Sunday afternoon. The fluid was under pressure and sprayed all over the street. When I looked at the hose, it was lower than the front air dam! (I had the car towed to my local dealer using the MINI Roadside Assistance, which worked great. They ended every conversation with “I hope you have a better day.”)
My MINI mechanic, who I’ve used exclusively since I got my 2008 and who I like, explained that the clips holding the lower hose in place break or dislodge if I run over something that hits the front air dam. (Like the concrete wheel stop at my parking space at work.) The dropped hose then drags on something, probably my driveway, until a hole is worn through.
Seems like a major design flaw. I never noticed the dropped hose, but when I saw the fluid spraying out of the hose, below the air dam, I knew what had probably happened.
Anyone figure out a fix for this, besides eliminating anymore off-road driving?
BTW, my MINI mechanic fixed it for free.
(This was discussed in a post from 2009 without any conclusions.)
My lower radiator started leaking as I pulled into my driveway last Sunday afternoon. The fluid was under pressure and sprayed all over the street. When I looked at the hose, it was lower than the front air dam! (I had the car towed to my local dealer using the MINI Roadside Assistance, which worked great. They ended every conversation with “I hope you have a better day.”)
My MINI mechanic, who I’ve used exclusively since I got my 2008 and who I like, explained that the clips holding the lower hose in place break or dislodge if I run over something that hits the front air dam. (Like the concrete wheel stop at my parking space at work.) The dropped hose then drags on something, probably my driveway, until a hole is worn through.
Seems like a major design flaw. I never noticed the dropped hose, but when I saw the fluid spraying out of the hose, below the air dam, I knew what had probably happened.
Anyone figure out a fix for this, besides eliminating anymore off-road driving?
BTW, my MINI mechanic fixed it for free.
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
About 18 months ago I noticed that a hose was hanging down below the level of the air dam in front. I took it to the dealer who fixed it - presumably by replacing some factory clips.
The hose came loose again about three weeks ago. The folks at a tire company I was visiting put it back in place using some nylon ties. They seemed to hold fine. However I took it back to the dealer who actually replaced the hose as the old one had some scuff marks.
I think the factory clips are not well designed if they come off from a bump on the air dam.
I may end up supplementing the clips with some nylon ties. But for sure I will be regularly checking the front of my car for a low hanging hose.
The hose came loose again about three weeks ago. The folks at a tire company I was visiting put it back in place using some nylon ties. They seemed to hold fine. However I took it back to the dealer who actually replaced the hose as the old one had some scuff marks.
I think the factory clips are not well designed if they come off from a bump on the air dam.
I may end up supplementing the clips with some nylon ties. But for sure I will be regularly checking the front of my car for a low hanging hose.
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