Please help: Suspected thermostat leak
 

Hi all,

My 2008 R56S has 67k miles on it.

I got an overheat warning on my nav, and found my coolant reservoir empty. Topped it up and it drank nearly half a gallon.

Came back out to the car the next day and the tank was half empty again, and a nice puddle under the car.

I checked the oil cap for signs of blown head gasket but didn't see any water or moisture.

Looking under the car, I saw coolant slowly dripping from the transmission case next to down pipe (see pic). I've been reading here about thermostats and water pumps dying on these cars so wanted a second opinion.

I took it to Bay Bridge Motors who had a quick look under the hood with a torch and the photo I took, and said suspected thermostat but they didn't hoist it or anything. They quoted $780 if that was the problem.

I found some stuff online about the emission warranty (7 yr/70k mile up to 10/15) and luckily my car falls into that - just.

I rang a mini stealership and they confirmed the warranty recall, quoted me $225 diagnostic fee which will be paid by mini if it is the thermostat, but charged to me if it's not. Their fee for thermostat repair was same as bay bridge :/

Anyway, I just wanted to ask for help in regards to how I could best confirm this for myself? Either way the car needs repairing but seems like everything on this car is 1k to diagnose and fix which is wearing thin, so trying to save where I can.

Thanks in advance! :)

Pauly

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...ea9997d27b.jpg

That seems to be exactly where the T-stat housing leaks. I'm pretty sure that's what it is. I'd certainly bet $225 of your money on it! ;)

Check on top of the transmission housing above the thermostat housing on the driver side, its will pool coolant , then drip down the back.

See this thread for all the info and places to look.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...8-no-heat.html


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...4f451ab1da.png



on the warranty I would double check , I know some replaced and it was under factory warranty 4yr ,50K or extended factory warranty ( CPO ). Or under "good will" from the MINI dealership. But emissions, not too many as it might have been undercoated as a goodwill from the dealership.

DIY route above or you can press on the local dealership to try to cover it.

Good luck.

Thanks guys!

I gave the mini dealer my VIN and they said, yes, this car is eligible for warranty repair IF it's the thermostat.

Since when does a thermostat housing fall under an emissions warranty and never heard of a dealer charging over $150 for diagnostic fee? If it does fall under the emissions warranty why has everyone been paying for thermostat housing replacements for years? :confused:

I have heard the new NEST thermostats work great!

Oh wait car not house. Ok yes bad joke.