So today I pulled in to the driveway to wash my mini, and first I checked oil. It was at the middle, but pretty dark. Almost black. It doesnt look as dark under the cap looking in the engine though. I looked in the coolant, and it was a brownish color, and I think its below the minimum line. EDIT: Probably 1/2 to 3/4 inch below minimum. Doesn't smell like oil, and not sure what it should smell like, but doesnt smell like oil. It was just serviced at 30k miles by dealer, and is almost at 34k now. Not sure what do do about it.

 

Minis burn oil at least the r53 does i had to add a little bit today. I still have another 1k before i gotta change it. My coolant is also somewhat brownish not shure why and it was very low before i added some. I suspect that its a possible thermostat housing leak or hose leak with mine that could be the case with yours is a very common problem with minis, they love to leak everything. Go pick up some antifreeze and oil add a little bit or just take it in and have them check it out. Just dont let it run that low whatever you do

 

I havent seen any leaks recently, and the engine bay seems pretty dry. Maybe ill check it out later. Would adding water be bad? I have distilled water

 

I honestly wouldn't add water simply because you don't know if you have a leak or not and come winter your going to have to spend time draining it out and then adding the correct antifreeze to water ratio. Or it might mess up the dilution ratio if you add it later on without draining it first. If there is no way you can get some prediluted antifreeze the yes add water don't let it run dry but be mindful later on you will have remove it and get the correct ratio in winter. Thats if its not leaking lol

 

Alright then. Winter? In southern California? :D. Ill probably get some antifreeze mix later. Thanks!

 

Nice i live in So Cal too but here the winters in bakersfield are freezing. No problem good luck!

 

I don't think its ever snowed in Long Beach. It got to around 35 one week late last year though

 

Did the Mini dealer change the coolant?
I could be way off on this but.... I think it is time to change your coolant. You have a 2009 and you are most likely running on the original factory coolant. Minis need coolant flushes every (I have to look it up) 2-4 years? Dark coolant is a good sign that it is time to have a look and a flush may be a good idea. Looked it up, turns out MINI recommends that you replace the coolant every 3 years!

 

Not sure if they did, as my dad did that. Just looked in the manual, and it said that the coolant has "a long-life rating" and doesn't need to be changed. So they probably didnt. Ill probably have to change it then. Any threads showing how?

 

You may want to call or take your Mini to:
MiniWorx Orange County
23192 Verdugo
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 916-4150

Ask them ^^ what to do if you are not still covered under maintenance.



John's Mini knowledge is vast, his background is impressive, and he drives a Mini too.

 

I've added a good bit to my r56 in the last year, at least a couple pints or so total; bought some premixed. Don't think there are any leaks. Where does it go? Several of the other cars I've had have needed topping off now and then.

 

I would imagine that the turbo heats up the coolant and the system cant cool it that great, so it vents to atmosphere to limit the pressure of the system. Maybe, maybe not

 

If it is no joke brown I would check the oil. If has a milk shake consistency I would lean toward blown head gasket. Also check around the water pump and thermostat housing to make sure there are no signs of a leak. Are there any driving changes like it doesn't accelerate as fast, maybe a knock, or any over heating?

 

No leaks that I know of, and it sat for about 6 hours in the same spot today and nothing. I just got the AP and it kinda shakes as it changes gear when in high revs. It seems like the throttle stops and then snaps right back open, making me lurch. I tried to monitor the coolant but im not sure what to choose on the ap. I hit around 15-17 psi of boost driving tonight, and it feels fine. Didnt look milk-shaky, and didnt smell like oil. No foam either. One thing, I have noticed that over that past few hundred or thousand miles it sounds louder. I can actually hear the blow off valve

 

put a light up to the coolant expansion tank. look for little brown bubbles that may accumulate at the edge where the water meets the tank.

i had a mini that the oil was clean and water free. passed a coolant system pressure test. The coolant would turn brown 1 day after a flush. It failed a cylinder leak down test. It was likely a warped head cause previous owner got the car hot. i never found out cause made the dealer buy the car back. It is a almost criminal that these cars dont have a temp guage. After that wonderful experience. My first mod was an ultraguage to get the temp.

 

Looked today, and it was below the minimum again. I filled it to over minimum and after a 15 minute drive, a night sitting, and a few minutes running today and its gone. Just a little below minimum. I saw some white spots, not really sure what to call them. floating on the top. They disappeared after I topped it off. Furthermore, I saw some liquid on the ground under the engine. Its mostly dried off now, and it was under the exhaust, by some thing with a metal weave. Im not going to start it for a while to see if it loses all the time or only when driving.

 

Yeah you need to leak down test and compression test your MINI. I think you got some problems that need to be address like right now.

 

Yup

 

Weird. I had to go somewhere (had to, don't plan on driving more) and I looked and it seemed like the coolant dropped. I opened the cap just now, about 40 minutes after the drive. Almost a pop noise, like I released the pressure and the coolant shot way up. To the level where It was after I filled it last night before the drives I described before. Ambient temp difference probably 30 degrees. The coolant was added last night when engine was totally cold. I have a picture of the coolant, but not sure how to get it on here.
Also, would those tests be run by the dealer and the like or would I be able to do them? I would feel ok driving to the dealer, as they are about 15 minutes away.

 

One thing to think about is, the pump on an S (turbo) is pumping after you turn off the car. I think you need to wait till it stops cooling the turbo before you let the pressure out. It is possible that you have air bubbles in the system too. I don't know....

Everything can be done at home with the proper tools, proper parts and understanding of the details. If you don't have the tools, parts and understanding you may not see the problem clearly. I am glad you are taking the car to an expert. "Hopefully" you just have a hose clamp that needs adjusting.

 

I know that the pump wasnt running when I opened it. Ive heard it and there was no noise. Hopefully this is covered under warranty

 

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7Rg...it?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7Rg...it?usp=sharing

Pictures?
The bubbles are a reflection of what is on the top of the container in first

 

Yeah don't do that. It is a pressurized system. You are lucky it didn't shoot out and burn yourself. What you might consider doing is a full flush.

 

Why is dealer in red?

Now its not. hmm

 

What do you mean red? Also if your car is under warranty why are you trying to do this yourself. That is what a warranty is for. To cover problems within a certain number of years and/or mileage that the manufacturer can guarantee that there isn't going to be.