Wondering what this could be. Thermo and pump are on the pulley end, correct? this is the tranny end, i see coolant on the bellhousing dripping from as yet unseen source. Overflow tank not leaky.

 

ROCNYMini, your post is a bit confusing.

Assuming you have a U.S. left hand drive MINI, the water pump is on passenger side as your thread title mentions. However, the thermostat is "high on the engine" on the driver side of the engine.

Here is a link on how to replace the thermostat that has pictures to help locate the thermostat: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hermostat.html

 

my mistake, it's drivers side. Great pix/link. Smells like thermo housing now. thanks!

 

Yep,

When it drips and pools on the transmission housing its the thermostat. Sometimes people don't see it dripping on the ground in the beginning or early stages of a leak. When it pools enough coolant then it drips down the back side of the transmission near the firewall.

Check the water pump area also since you will be there is on the other side, passenger side towards the rear of the engine.



The thermostat is on the driver side #4 , sometimes coolant can pool on top of the transmission housing and you will not see it. Part number 11537534521KT3


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11537534521KT3/



#1 is the water pump and can leak down the driver side near the drive belts. Its located towards the rear of the end on the driver side.

Water Pump part number 11518604888


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11517550484/



Last but not least the coolant tank can develop a crack at the base and leak from there also. Its located up near the front driver side near the core support. Check for cracks & leaks at the bottom near the connection. These places are the most common for losing coolant.



Coolant Expansion Tank #1 in the diagram Part number 17137823626


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/17137823626/ES2166017/



And the cap for the tank, #2 in the diagram part number 17132754264


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/17132754264/ES38481/




We also stock the MINI coolant right here, mixed it 50/50 with distilled water. Coolant if factory MINI will be a blue color and you will see the residue if its leaking on the transmission or in other locations.

MINI Anti-Freeze / Coolant - 1 Gallon Part number 82140031133


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/82140031133/ES196253/




Thanks and hop that help you check all the leak locations , that way if you fix one leak then have another its will eliminate that issue.

 

@ECSTuning Wow so many coolant leak threads! I just replaced my thermostat and was dismayed to find it’s still pooling on top of the transmission. Any suggestions of what to check? I bought genuine OEM, ever heard of those being defective?

Also bought the blue OEM coolant; curiously all 3 of my MINI have/had green so ???

 

Hello,

Glad to help. Might have been installed and the gasket flipped or not seated, also check the connection at the back from the main water pipe to the thermostat arm.

Someone changed the coolant and just went with a general fill all brand, maybe to save money. If your MINI was new and lived its life at the dealership it would be the blue ish color. If someone or some shop who does not work on MINIs or BMWs they switch it out for Green which i would just flush it and switch back. Mix 50/50 with distilled water.


On the thermostat we have seen some of the genuine ones fail, rare but happens. Most of the time its improper install.

Also make sure you clean up the old coolant and that the pooling is the new stuff, not residual.

 

@ECSTuning thanks for the reply, it’s definitely the new blue stuff and I did rinse the area after I finished bleeding it. It’s not loosing TOO much but imma have to get back in there and see if I can clear it up.

Again odd about the color, my 2008 Justa, and 2011 Clubman were bought new and only serviced by MINI dealers and the club at least definitely had green when I did its thermostat, and I’m pretty sure the 08 was too.
The current 2013 MCS was bought with only 9k and also is exclusively dealer serviced and had green when I drained it.

 

Yep, it would have been the blue ish color stuff, MINI never uses the green stuff. In the light and with age the coolant can look bluish green, but not green like the off the shelf stuff at autozone.,

Welcome and glad to help. Both my MINIs i had new and they both had the blue. I would check and pull the fluid out to see if its really solid green. Should look like this if blue ish: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...coolant-430907

 

After chasing coolant leaks for several months last year, I recommend doing the entire system if the parts have not yet been replaced. The water pump, water pipe, thermostat housing and various hoses / connections all are susceptible to leaks. Do them all at once and remove the intake in order to get to get to the pipe. Remove the coils, wires and 02 sensor to pull wire mess out of the way to get to the T-state.

Take a close look at the lower radiator hose as given its location close to the ground, it is easily hit by ground debris etc... and if/when it goes it dumps all fluid out immediately.

Good luck!

 

Is there something special about the Blue Mini antifreeze? I'm new to Mini's and i'm sure mine doesn't have the blue in it. Is there something in it that protects the seals and o-rings? I don't mind spending the extra money, just want to know why.

 

They sell the blue stuff at any good auto parts store too. Its about half what you would pay for from BMW. I always use it as it is cheap insurance given the cost of all the stuff this fluid interacts with

 

Nothing special just make sure you get the Blue stuff in pentofrost or other brands The formula is what they recommend, thats all i use on all three of my MINIs.