I have green fluid leaking from the front right (pass side) corner of my MINI. It is a 2009 MCS and it is not antifreeze. I find conflicting info on what it is so I am turning here hoping someone can help out. I do not believe the 09 has a power steering pump but an electric motor of some sort and I cannot find a reservoir as in most cars. It is making spots wherever I park so it isn't going away. Any help or links would be great...thanks in advance

 

Some bushings are fluid filled. If you can't get under take a pic with your phone , flash on, directly above the spot on the floor.

 

I would think that the bushings wouldnt have as much fluid coming out as this has. It is a slimy, almost sticky (as it dries) texture with hardly any smell at all.

 

That is freon from your AC my friend. I had the same thing a while back.

 

Your AC refrigerant should not make a puddle; it should vaporize instantly in the atmosphere. The power steering is electromechanical, no fluid involved. You said it wasn't antifreeze; are you sure? MINI antifreeze is blue/green and has a bitter taste (not sweet). Try soaking up a bit of the puddle on a small piece of paper towel and attempt to light it. Antifreeze will not support a flame whereas a petroleum product like trannie oil will. I don't know what color the oil is in our transmission is but I have used synthetic transmission oil in the past that was green. If the paper towel does not burn, I think it's antifreeze. If it does burn, you might have a transmission leak. Good luck.

 

Check your AC to see if it blows cold (may be difficult in the winter I'm sure) if it doesn't its an AC leak. Also look up underneath at the AC lines coming into and out of the compressor which is right up front by the intercooler for spots that are wet. The freon will evaporate somewhat but once its gone you'll bleed lubricant and dye which is bright green.

I went through that twice this summer with pinhole leaks in the AC lines. Similar story with the thread below.

http://m.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=75656

 

I have an manual transmission so it wouldn't be ATF and it is right inside the passenger front tire which is where the AC is so that makes a bit of sense...gotta get under it as soon as I can. Even fluid in the transmission would be more to the center not so far forward and far right. It also has no smell and while it doesnt make a puddle, there are a few drops everywhere I park. If it is the AC, what are the options/solution? Thanks for all the help...keep em coming if anyone else has input. NAM has always helped every time I have had a question.

 

Ok so I got under it with it running and it is dripping what I can only say is water. Extremely light blue and I had to add water to my reservoir. It is coming from under something that has a pulley wheel on it I think...cant see very well but it is dripping when the car is running.

 

Could it be antifreeze from the water pump ( a known problem on the MCS). https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...placement.html

 

I'll second the water pump

 

After looking at the pics on the link you sent, I'm almost certain that is it. I do have just one question though...why would it leave a stain on pavement when it is parked?

 

The cooling system is still pressurized for a short time after you park so I would expect the pump to still drip for a minute or two. If you've had to replace coolant, the leak may be much worse when you're underway.

 

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I am having the same green fluid puddle under the front passenger side of my mini.

I did the "flame" test and it didn't catch, so I'm guessing its coolant. I have been watching the coolant levels and haven't noticed much of a drop, yet.

I took some photos of where it looks like the drips are coming from but obviously they could be dripping from higher up down to this point.




This is after I cleaned up the puddle a couple times...

Guess I need to make an appointment with the dealer.

You guys think this is an AC issue or water pump?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Your pics look like it is more toward the driver side. If so, I'd say heat exchanger gaskets.

 

It is almost in the middle but is very slight towards the passenger side.

Pretty much all the coolant has drained out of the reservoir now. I have a dealer visit scheduled for tomorrow.

Do you think I'd be fine just toping of the coolant and driving to the dealer? Or should I have it towed?

 

Tow it. It's not worth the risk of warping the head or doing other heat-related damage.

 

Actually not towed but completely off the ground. I guess that is referred to as a tow. But not like with a chain or tow strap.

 

Just had the same problem. It was the Water Pump.

 

So turns out, according to the dealer, it was a bad Oil Filter Housing Gasket. I have my doubts and am not 100% sure how a bad oil filter gasket causes coolant to leak everywhere... but its been replaced and it doesn't appear to be leaking anymore... I guess time will tell.

 

The coolant has to pass through the oil filter housing to get to the heat exchanger (which has its own set of gaskets between it and the oil filter housing).

 

yep.

Here is the diagram and the seals.

 

Cool thanks guys. I guess that explains the coolant everywhere