Hey guys,


I've been searching for when I should do a coolant flush. I've had my MINI for two years and 48k miles. I'm doing the brake flush this weekend. I'm just curious if the coolant flush should be done this weekend too. Thanks!

 

You should do it every 2 years. So now would be a great time. Keep in mind it is a pain to bleed the system. It will take time and patients.

 

I wasn't going to do it myself. I was going to have Detroit Tuned touch my car and fill it with the anti-freeze MINI provides for these cars. Thanks Brain!

 

Doing it yourself isn't terribly hard. It does take some time though. Mostly in disconnecting the hose on the bottom.

 

I don't have patience but I guess I could try. Is there a "how to"? I'm on my phone right now but ill take a look when I'm home.

 

I just found a note in my BMW manual that says the coolant should be changer every 4 years.

 

The same manual that says to change the oil every 15k?

 

That's the reason I will do my coolant flush in June. I will just do my brake flush for now.

 

The average frequency is at least once every 2 years or 30,000 miles (around 50,000 kilometers), whichever comes first.

Here are some good articles for your reading pleasure.

http://automechanics.wordpress.com/2...ooling-system/
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/gener...tentId=6004801
http://www.carsdirect.com/car-repair...radiator-flush
http://ezinearticles.com/?Flushing-Y...tem&id=2218060

 

If you want to jump into the realm of DIY with your MINI I would highly suggest getting a Bentley manual.
http://www.youtube.com/user/BentleyP.../videos?view=0

 

There's nothing in the manual about oil changes since the oil change interval is based on conditions or condition based service (CBS). However, here's what the BMW technical information system (TIS) says about coolant changes. Granted this isn't MINI technical info, but it will probably serve as a good guide.

2.0 Change interval, changing and testing coolant, disposal, cleaning the cooling system Change interval, changing and testing coolant
Regular checks of the coolant composition as part of Inspection I and II. As the anti-corrosion characteristics of the coolant decrease with time, the change interval of 4 years (3 years for M-Power vehicles) must be observed.
The antifreeze concentration in the coolant must be checked each year before the cold season begins. The composition of the coolant must also be checked after the coolant level has been topped up.
An areometer or densimeter (antifreeze tester) is required for setting and checking the concentration.
It is permissible to mix various brands of the approved agents.

Ongoing technical development means that the coolant does not need to be changed on the vehicles listed below.
E65 from 09/2003
E85 from market launch
CBS vehicles from 9/2003
Vehicles with Service interval indicator (SIA) with petrol engines from 03/2003
Vehicles with Service interval indicator (SIA) with diesel engines from 09/2003
M vehicles from 09/2003

Disposal
The instructions laid down in the safety data sheets published by the manufacturers of anti-freezing and anti-corrosive agents and the statutory regulations of the individual countries must be complied with.

Cleaning the cooling system
If the cooling system is soiled, e.g. by oil residue etc., it may be necessary to clean the system with a suitable cleaner.

Status 12/2005

 

I remember Chad showing me a heater core from a R56 that was only three years old. Coolant never changed. The amount of precipitate buildup was pretty bad.

You need to change it now.

 

Thanks Shane, I will do it in May or June. I don't know if I want to do it myself, but obviously Chad will be busy until after the MOTD.

And thanks Porthos. I was thinking of purchasing that from Detroit Tuned.

 

Why do they never listen and then complain later on and blame MINI? Speechless is all I can say.

 

I followed the manual's recommended four year flush interval on my '03 R53, and the heater core was completely blocked by the fall of 2012. The shop cut it open to show me, and the passages were considerably smaller (and easier to clog) than the Audi example they compared it to. I'd say flush more often and avoid the big charge if the core blocks.

 

Just curious, what coolant brand have you guys used? I read somewhere on here, we should use only what the dealer offers for our coolant system because it prolongs life of the car. Then again could be said the same for oil changes.

I've used Prestone in the past. Would it be okay? Thanks.

 

I have good ole green Prestone in my car. I plan to flush every two years. Due again next year. It is safe for Aluminum block engines like the N14 & N18. You can do it in your garage in a couple of hours. The biggest pain in the *** is flushing the system of all the old coolant without an engine block drain. You'll need a lot of buckets to catch all the old antifreeze and it will take multiple flushes till all the old coolant is out. It's not that it's hard, just very time consuming.

There may or may not be something fancy about the BMW coolant. You will notice now that almost every auto manufacturer has their own branded coolant. Funny how that works huh?

Remember Dex-cool everybody

 

Only reason I use the MINI blue stuff is so you can see it. Yellow/green can kind of blend in with the expansion bottle.