So before we get flamed for another coolant leak thread, let me preface this with saying I have done my research and the location of leak isn't typical of a t-stat housing leak, crossover pipe, or water pump.

We picked up a '12 R58 jcw that has 81k miles on it. Super clean car, interior is perfect. Drove it home 1.5 hrs and wouldn't you know it there was a puddle of coolant under the car when my wife pulled it out to wash it.

Being a N14 I knew we'd be doing some coolant repairs and more, but not day 1 lol.

Got it on quickjacks last night to see see location of leak just to track it down. Top of transmission is dry. Under the car found location of dripping. It's coming off the front of the motor behind the downpipe, then dripping off the transmission case.

I pressurized the system and the dripping got worse, but I can not locate for the life of me.

Any ideas? It almost seems like oil cooler or the turbo coolant outlet line from location, but haven't seen any threads on here for that.

Regardless, today I ripped out the t-stat housing and crossover pipe and ordered the aluminum ones (t-stat and pipe) from ECS. I also ordered a new water pump with metal impeller as I can see it still has plastic one installed. New valve cover coming too, silicone coolant pipes, and a intake resonator pipe delete. Since it's getting tore apart, might as well right?

I will also add that when I removed the crossover pipe, it wasn't badly corroded at water pump housing connection, and it was missing the metal clip that holds it to t-stat housing. Again, leak was not coming from passenger side off back of motor, or pooling on the top of transmission under the missing clip location. I'm really scratching my head on this one.

I have a video of the leak, but trying to figure out how to stitch 2 together and make one video on the YouTube app. Pointers?

 

Oil filter housing/ coolant seals. Thats my guess.

 

Will I need to pull turbo to access these? Think I'm going to do timing chain and head gasket while I've got it tore apart.

Recommendations on where to get kits from?

 

Down pipe will have to off as well as the DP heat shield.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...placement.html

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2012-...s_-and-_Seals/

 

Really appreciate your help! We've already ordered several things for this mess from ECS...why stop now? Ordered! 🤣🤣🤣

 

Lol yep glad to help.

 

Just an update on this...ECS was right. It was the oil cooler gaskets. Also discovered turbo oil supply line was loose. Guess this was all a good thing in the end.

 

Glad that was it.

 

Lol..not sure how glad we are that was it. Would have been nicer if it had just been a leaky hose or the coolant reservoir 🤣