Hi guys just after some advice

i have a 2003 mini cooper with a strange water leak, im loosing water from max to min within a 50 mile drive

i tracked the water leak down to right rear of the engine to the right hand from what looks to be from between the head and the block

so today i put a new housing, and new thermostat and gask on and still i have the same water leak

here is where the water is coming from in the yellow circle, i hope you can help me

cheers

 

Plastic overflow tanks are known to leak from possible age related cracks or from the seam at the center of the tank. Not sure if that's your problem but it is worth checking, also your water pump could leak.

 

On the S .

When you say between the head/block....could be a headgasket...

 

unless its running down the block/head?

its not the thermostat housing or gasket as ive replaced them, do you know of any other way it could get to the corner?

 

Looks like the driver side ( US ) rear of the engine , don't know if you are from the UK.

Right behind the thermostat housing going towards the rear near the exhaust.

So it would be right above the #1 in the engine diagram.



You say its a Cooper and Not a Cooper S.

On the cooper you replaced the thermostat housing, thermostat w/ seal and its tightening down and flush against the head. People have reported problems with setting in the gasket on 3rd party parts. Then is could be spraying or leaking towards the back corner.


Thermostat Housing part 11537829959


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11537829959/ES25160/



Thermostat W/ Gasket Mfg Part 11537596787


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11537596787/ES514854/




Make sure the connecting tube hoses that go off the back of the thermostat housing are connected. #13 and #4. and not leaking down near the block or have a cut in the line spraying on the block.



When it idles can you see a steady drip. in that location, or is it running to the rear from another location? Then look at the head gasket.

Thanks

 

Sounds like a head gasket leak. I'd do a pressure test to verify.

 

When my thermostat gasket leaked the last time, it ran around and down and dripped
at exactly the same place as in your picture, usually only during the first 5 or 10 minutes
after starting the engine. I was afraid it was a head gasket leak because of the position,
but it wasn't. I'd check the thermostat/housing area and replace the gasket again first,
and make sure it's seated correctly and torqued down right. Next would be a pressure test
if that doesn't solve it.