About a month ago, I was driving the mini when it suddenly hit red on temp. I pulled over to notice a long line of coolant behind me on the road. So, I took it in and it turned out that some of the hoses ruptured (which...is odd to me, never happened on my mustang).

Long story short, I started noticing that there were droplets of coolant in the garage about a week ago. It doesn't do this all the time and I've checked and it isn't the coolant reservoir that I hear can leak.

I've never worked on the Mini or any other car with less than 8 cylinders so investigating this has been pretty confusing for me (especially since I can’t SEE anything in that little engine bay). Does anyone have any ideas of what to look at/for and where?

EDIT: 2002 Mini

 

Look around the thermostat housing, they sometimes will crack and a small leak develops.

 

Thanks for the tip. I checked and it appears to be fine. I have to have the pads changed tomorrow, might just have them take a gander then. Still very puzzling to me though.

 

There's a thread I started called light blue oily fluid. It's about the thermostat. Actually, the thermostat housing rarely cracks--but the gasket often leaks, as many posts on NAM would attest to. Unfortunately you must replace the thermostat to get a new gasket as they come connected from the dealer (totally inseparable). Cost around $40. Even if the thermostat housing and hoses seem find, remove the airbox and look on top of the gearbox/diff. I bet you'll see lots of blue fluid/coolant.

 

Oddly enough, there's no leak there either. I will take it tomorrow for an inspection with the brakes. Where is the drain for the coolant? I am starting to wonder if some mechanic made a little mistake somewhere and it is just now starting to leak. I'll be taking it to the same people (good people); too bad the mini isn't under warrenty and the dealership is an hour away

I should just build another engine for it and replace all the crap in it. Yeah, that's a good idea. Now where'd I put that map to Imagination Land so I can get some cash...

 

Theres no drain for the coolant. you have to remove the lower radiator hose to drain the system :impatient yeah thanks mini for the great design on this cooling system.

I would have the shop look over there work and make sure all the hoses/clamps where installed correct.

Good luck!

 

We just took our 2006 MCS with just shy of 10k miles in for service and they found and replaced a coolant hose that had failed from the inside. Just a thought.