I bought an 06 Cooper S a week ago. It has 113000 miles and I wanted to start doing some preventive maintenance things beginning first with a new belt and belt tensioner. The first thing I noticed was a small puddle of anitfreeze under the front of it. I jacked it up and it looks like it may have been leaking for some time as can be seen in the pictures. Also there is no shield covering the bottom of the engine? Should there be one?

Can someone identify where the antifreeze is likely coming from? Eventually I want to replace the oil in the SC and also replace the water pump. Is this more urgent than I expected it?

Thanks!!

 

Looks like a water pump or thermostat to me. The water pump is on the ''right'' side of the supercharge (when facing the engine), so if it leaks, it will go down near this area!

 

Can I replace the water pump without removing the SC? I wasn't prepared to go that deep into it just yet? Same question if I see that its the thermostat?

 

I have yet to replace a water pump or a thermostat on a Mini, so I can't say for sure. I would say that you can for the thermostat, not sure about the water pump, but I'm sure someone will have a better answer :p

 

no SC has to be removed to change the water pump.. expect to go deep.

 

Holy Cow!! I just checked out a Pelican Technical Article and you gotta tear it WAYYYYY down for the water pump. I suspect that it would be best to go ahead and service the SC while at it. After reading the article, I wonder if its not the water pump "O" ring thats leaking. If that's the case, I probably have a little time before I'm forced to do something with it?

 

No one has pointed out the fact that - that *hit is GREEN!!!

The Mini coolant is blue. The green stuff isn't supposed to be in our engines (steel and aluminum metals in the engine - so they want their stuff only).

I've seen my share of leaks and that's not insignificant. The thermostat housing is certainly a good place to look as well, it's a common leak point (even though its more to the top right)

If someone screwed up the coolant type I'd be looking for the receipts to see who did it and what they did, perhaps that may lead to more clues.

I'd get that coolant flushed immediately.

- no bottom engine cover on the R53's BTW

 

Well, I did some looking and did find where the previous owner had bought some Zerex coolant.. I'll bet thats what he put in it. I'll flush right away. Where can I get the correct coolant and whats it called?

 

Best place would be your local dealer. It doesn't cost that much from what I remember. It's pure, so you have to mix it with water (unless they sell pre-mixed one).

 

Wow, Thanks for the help! I would have never known that it should have a special coolant. OK, I'll replace the water pump (found a new one on ebay by gates for $129). I'll also drain and add the oil back to the SC while at it. Anything else while that far into it?

 

here is what it looks like when u get that deep.. this is when I had my SC rebuilt.. now if you do attempt to do it. one thing I would do next time is install this in the SC So I can check and change the oil. http://imperialmini.com/ Recharger.

 

Don't get too scared about that image. Pick up a Bentley manual and it will describe how to get there.

I have recharger #17 with my original SC (I have a new rebuilt SC on the engine now)
It was a pain to install, but I thought it was worth it to take care of the oil level on older SC's.

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yes it's not that difficult if you have the right tools .. but I just thought I'd show you a realistic picture of how deep u get into the car.

 

Also, if you take out the SC, replace the crank position sensor (and gasket) while it's available.

You'll need a stack of other gaskets (like the green SC one) for the job as well.

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I did motor mounts and oil pan gasket too.. simple when your in there

 

OK, I will also change the crank position sensor and gasket. Is there a complete list of tools and parts needed for going that deep being:

Service the SC
Replace water pump
Replace thermostat and housing
Replace Crank Position Sensor and Gasket
Replace the serpentine belt
Replace the Belt Tensioner

I also want to replace the clutch and throw out bearing...Should I also do this during this work?

I apologize that the thread has changed directions....

 

Theres a type of Zyrex that's okay for MINI. G-05 maybe.... Double check which type of Zyrex. -Anywho, it's orange/yellow. Not green. And of course the branded mini stuff is blue

 

this is fine too use

 

Ya.. That's the stuff I used.

 

Ok I confirmed that the guy I bought it from put regular green coolant in it. I dont know how much but figure I should still flush it out. The reason I know is I found the reciept where he purchased it about a month and half ago.

 

Nice work! Just what I figured. Either way we know two things now:

#1 the previous owner didn't know Mini's well enough to take care of it (now other things - like oil - should be suspect and replaced soon)

#2 You've gotta get a good flush and replacement on that coolant quickly- get the jug from Mini. If memory serves correct, you should be aware that some internals may be suspect now (gaskets, thermostat etc).

Also it begs the question, why did the coolant need to be topped up? Hopefully it's just because of that front end leak.