Would appreciate your advice on our 2013 Mini Cooper S Hardtop R56.

Coolant was visibly leaking. Independent Mini shop replaced thermostat housing, water pipe and Air Mass Meter Boot - $1,300.

One week later (150 miles) engine overheating and coolant one liter low. Returned car to shop that pressure-tested and left it running with A/C on for 45 min, drove it around, etc. Said no leak. Wondering what to do. Just saw the video below indicating a pin hole leak so maybe best to look for this first? Anything else you can recommend?

Thank you!

 

Is there coolant on the ground on at? If so the coolant pooled on the ground on the drivers or passenger side? Could also be from them not bleeding it and being lazy. Might of just filled it up with coolant then forgot to bleed the system.

 

There is coolant on the ground in our parking spot, but possibly from before the repairs, but possibly not. I'll clean up the spot to see if there is any new leak.

Thank you for your advice!

 

After shop couldn't find the leak, I brought the car back home. The next morning (yesterday) noticed large puddle under car and actively dripping! Took photos and video -- see below. Brought car back to shop. Shop said the leak is coming from under the turbo and that it will take 7 hours labor for that alone - $932 -- and then who knows what else. What would you recommend I do?

Thank you for your help!

 

What did they say was leaking?

 

They do not know what is leaking but said it's coming from under the turbo. Didn't want to throw good money after bad so took car to dealer. Oh well. Wish me luck! Thanks for your interest and suggestions NeonLed.

 

I wonder if its the oil cooler leaking, its pretty common oil leak location but not a coolant leak, haven't seen anyone on here have one leak coolant. Could also be the after run coolant pump. Thats really the only two things under the turbo that would leak. But with how much is leaking I'm surprised the indy shop didn't say anything, cause thats a major leak. Unless they never put it on a lift and looked under it then it makes more sense as to why they didn't see it. Another thought is they caused the leak and still shipped the car. Could of cracked a line or something when replacing thermostat and don't want to take responsibility for it.

 

Thank you for sharing your insights and suspicions. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again!

 

So the dealer says the car is ready. Total damages $2,030. That on top of the $1,325 from the indy shop. I hope the leak is really fixed! Now some questions... Both dealer and indy shop charged for replacing the thermostat assembly - dealer charged $650 and indy charged $550. The indi shop wrote on their invoice that they guarantee 1 year or 12,000 miles. Might I be able to dispute their charge for the thermostat assembly since they could not make good on their repairs? Thank you for your advice and any other suggestions!

 

Wow. Assuming the dealer fix actually fixes your issue, I would politely go back to the indy shop and let them know that the thermostat needed to be replaced again, and see if they can comp you any for the second replacement. Did the dealer give you back the old parts? It might be easier tog et compensation if you have the old parts in hand.

 

Thanks for your advice, njaremka. Hopefully my paying the dealer for the part will suffice as proof of need of repairs since the indy shop could not make good on its repairs. Thanks again!