Hey all,

Over the holiday weekend I noticed a problem with my Mini (2010 base, 77K Miles) and I'm concerned and confused a bit. I noticed that my coolant was low (a half inch below the minimum mark). I added coolant to fill up to the max line, but now I'm back at the minimum mark (3 days have passed.)

I did some research and checked my oil, no yellowness/cloudiness (oil was actually a little low, which surprised me).

I checked my parking spot for leak spots, but didn't notice any there either.

After minimal online research, I found that the first gen Minis had leaks at the themostat housing, but I'm not sure how prevalent this was for the second gen.

I plan on taking it in for a pressure test at my local shop, but I wanted to ask if anyone here has experienced such a problem or can give me an idea as to what I can expect.

Thanks!

 

thermostat housing is a common issue on gen ii as well.

 

Lovely, any idea on price for a repair?

 

Check the thermostat and see if you can find any type of signs of leakage somewhere. Coolant can be leaking and possibly pooling on top of the transmission. I've seen people replacing theirs on their R56 as soon as 50k miles. Once you determine it's your issue, if you're DIY handy, thermostat can be purchased here. Here is a DIY on the replacement. A video at post #164 may be helpful too.

 

Here some info on the thermostat housing :

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





The coolant will pool on top of the transmission housing sometimes and you will not see it.


For the " Cooper " Models you will not have the aux water pump.


Also on 6/2010 to 3/2012 Gen 2 MINI Cooper ( NON S ) you will have the additional adpater lead.


https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...out-where.html





If you need else let me know.

 

If you are handy then try your hand at replacing it yourself. I had the issue and would have liked to do it myself but it was over my head. The part itself was about 129 and the labor was around 500. Maybe I got ripped off but the guys told me it took them all afternoon and after looking at some information about DIY, I believed them. My check engine for this came on around 51000 miles.

 

Well, I got a pressure test done today, but they said they could find no leaks and held pressure fine. I'm stumped.

I did notice that the coolant level was significantly higher when I got the car back, but the mechanic said he didn't add any. I'm hoping it just needs to settle.

 

I guess I would blead the coolant system and see if you have a build up of an air pocket somewhere. The coolant level should stay the same from Cold to Cold , now if you are looking at it hot then cold the level changes.

 

Thanks ECST, I'm curious, how would an air pocket hide somewhere? Wouldnt it get worked through somewhat quickly? I'm not familiar with cooling systems, so please forgive the question.

 

I have seen it after a thermostat housing change coolant system work. You have to bleed and rebleed the system. I bled mine like 3 times after a thermostat change.

 

Won't any air in the system escape on its own via the overfill tank?

 

Trapped air is common when filling a cooling system and can result in improper cooling. It is important to bleed your cooling system each time the cooling system is serviced. The overflow tank isn't the highest point in the system, so until you bleed the system it wont just escape.

 

Excellent, thank you for the help!

 

It will need bled at the screw near the thermostat housing to get all the trapped air out.

 

You're very welcome. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me.