I went outside to change my 2011 MCS's oil and ran into a snag right off the bat. When I went to move the coolant bottle, it started dripping. Everytime I move it, blue coolant drips. If I leave in seated, then it stops. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO MOVE THIS THING IF IT'S GONNA LEAK? It's very frustrating because I have worked at numerous lube shops and a dealer plus I have changed the oil in my own vehicles for quite some time now and now I can't change the oil in this one. HELP!

 

There is a 10mm bolt right in front of the bottle attached to the grille. Remove that and pull the part of the bottle toward the engine bay up and it should come right off. Just don't remove the lines. Also make sure the cap is secred good and don't flip it over.

 

+1

 

Thanks for the reply, but I got that part. If it isn't seated in the perfect little spot that the Mini engineers designed for it, then it drips from the hose because of that stupid f*****g squeeze clamp they used. Once I start to lift up on it, drip drip. I put it back in its seat, no drip. Anyone have an N18 with any advice before I pay the thieves at the dealer $50 to change the oil and filter that I already have?

 

there is also a small hose clipped to the top of the bottle that won't let the bottle move far enough to access the filter.

 

Both times I have had mine down by my mechanic buddies they end up leaking coolant and just topping it off. They all think the MINI techs are doing the same thing, letting some drip and then topping it off.

 

Thanks for the reply. That's what I suspected. I just can't understand why they changed something like that just to change it? Has anyone on this board ever had a problem with the overflow hose failing on an R56? WTF? It's like they just had to have one more thing to mess with, so they picked one of the things that didn't have a problem and worked well with the new N18 set-up. Am I wrong here? The video's I have looked at don't show coolant dripping from the N14 coolant bottle.

I work for a large auto parts chain and have contacts at a lot of shops. You guys think I should just let one of them do it and top it off or should I have the dealer take my first born and hope that they find leaking coolant to be a problem? Sorry, I know the dealer thing is probably getting a little old....but I hate import dealers. Every one of them I have ever dealt with charges ridiculous prices and they always try to get you for something you don't need.

 

When I change the oil in my r56, I too have some coolant drip. I think it's just part of the process. You shouldn't have to leave it there very long...just a minute or two while you swap filters. However, just wait until you try to pull the filter and cover out of that small hole 8-) That IMO is the challenge.

 

At least I now know it's normal. Thanks for the info. I decided to wait a week and just have a friend help me. I'm no beginner in the automotive world, but this guy has certifications and what not. I usually go to him anytime something on a car makes me nervous, or I have second thoughts. Even on something as simple as an oil change, I feel more comfortable when I have help or at least a knowledgeable bystander . Especially on my first brand new car and it has a difficult oil filter.

Last question: Since it's only a little bit leaking, should I just get some distilled water to top it off?

 

FYI, may be useful info - maybe not - but when mine was dripping just as you describe the dealership replaced an o-ring and the coolant overflow tank itself.

-RR

 

That is useful info. Maybe next time I will just have them change it and see what happens. I drove to the grocery store and back after I abandoned the job today and verified it isn't leaking once seated. I will mention when I go that I noticed the dripping and see what they do. I may make an anonymous call asking about the policy on changing oil myself before I mention it since I don't know the local Mini dealer too well.

 

Thats what Im going to have them look into for the first free oil change here soon. Even after topping off and everything looking secure I still have to top off once in a while....

 

I have never had the drip problem. All I can say is replace the clamp then. Not that big of a deal and not expensive at all. Also I have never heard anyone having that part fail on them. Just top it off it looses a lot.