After experiencing my cooling fan staying on after turning off the ignition (car had been idling in 50 degree F temp while I was working on my sound system), I checked the coolant reservoir and noticed it was empty. Since it was the evening and not a Mini dealer to be had, I filled the reservoir between the full and low mark with Prestone "Safe for all Cars" 50:50 prediluted coolant. I then read in this forum (but from only one poster) that unless you use Mini coolant you run a risk of ruining your $$ water pump. Hmm. This morning I called Mini of Towson Maryland and told them what I had done. For starters, I need to bring the car in but as far as using the Prestone, the tech said it will not harm the car and not to worry. What's the concensus among the members regarding the use of pre-dilluted non- Mini coolant? Has anyone actually ruined a good water pump by not using the Mini high-priced spread? Will a 45 drive to the dealer with the Prestone do any harm? Thanks. I'd like to think that the tech knew what he was talking about.

Popular Mechanics says no, it will not harm but non-Mini coolant may not last as long.

"....As we noted, European and Korean formulas have silicates, so U.S. green or yellow/gold is all right, but it slightly compromises the extended life formulas some have. Typically all that means is: Change at 30,000 in stead of 36,000 miles. The Japanese green and red antifreezes have no silicates, but they are very different from U.S. orange. If you really drain out the old antifreeze from any of these systems (thoroughly rinse the system with fresh water), you certain ly can refill with a U.S. yellow/gold or green silicated antifreeze. "

 

The idea that you must use "Mini" brand fluids is baseless. Mini does not manufacture these fluids. It's as rediculous as suggesting that we need to go to Mini gas stations to get Mini gas.

 

I am inclined to agree though just yesterday, one poster told me I run the risk of damaging the seals on my water pump if I don't use Mini coolant (??). Apparently "Popular Mechanics" and two local Mini dealers disagree.

 

There are also posters who will insist your car will destruct if you don't change your oil every 1500, 300, 5000, etc. (take you pick) miles, don't use certain brake fluid brands, don't detail your car every weekend, etc.

 

its cool man, i had a coolant leak @ about 5500 miles on my cooper, its been running on the prestone stuff for 120,000 trouble free miles now...

 

The Prestone Universal Extended Life (50/50 and straight) meets or exceeds every manufacturer's specs out there. I wouldn't worry about it.
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Thanks to all that responded in this thread. It's comments like the one received yesterday (another thread) that obviously had me concerned:

"MINI Coolant. Anything else will fry your seals on your waterpump"

Apparently that is not the case. Nevertheless, I am taking the car in tomorrow to let Mini check for leaks and while they have it, do routine maintainence.

By the way, Zerex G-05 is also safe for the Mini (yellow) and their website specifically refers to Minis. So we do have options for those who don't live next door to a Mini dealer.

 

Not to disagree with the above posts, good info. When I had a thermostat housing gasket replaced, I was shocked to see that the MINI official coolant had a large quantity of stop leak blended in. I knew Cadillac did that, but thought BMW had better quality control.

 

Jim, all I know is that I must have had some kind of leak becuase coolant stays put and whatever stop leak was blended into the Mini coolant didn't work.

 

It didn't work for my leak either, but when the "Experts" refilled the coolant tank they poured it all over the firewall and engine. It looked like a talc fest under the hood. Of course, they left it that way.

After I accused them of just adding stop leak, instead of replacing the gasket, then the info came out about the stock stop leak stuffing in der schtuff.

 

The indignity!

 

Most car manufacturers drop pellets of stop leak in the radiators during assembly, which is activated (depending on their particular process) when the car is prepped and fluids are added. It's not a real strong solution, but designed to handle the little leaks that occur during manufacturing.
It's cheaper than performing high quality work and doing careful final testing, sadly enough.

 

So if I want to add a little coolant because I noticed the level a little below "min", where do I get "mini coolant". Can I go to Pep Boys? Is generic brand enough or is there something specific to look for.

Thanks

 

You are not going to find Mini coolant at Manny, Moe and Jack's (Pep Boys) but as we've been saying, you don't need it to top off your reservoir or fill completely. Prestone "safe for all cars" 50/50 extended life pre-dilluted coolant (yellow plastic container) will work. Also recommended is Zerex G-05 coolant. Mini coolant is only availabe at your dealer and you will pay a premium - around $20 for a container. Your call.

 

If you just need a little coolant, use distilled water. The mix will not be changed that much. The only reason to add antifreeze is if you have a big loss or are doing a drain and fill.

 

I think that's good advice but if you already have any of the two brands of store-bought coolant mentioned, you can use in lieu of just distilled water to top off without worry about the sky falling (this was told to me by my Mini technician). And if you want (and it's not a bad idea to keep some spare coolant on hand) the two brands mentioned in addition to the Mini coolant are good ones to have in the garage for a complete fill-up.

 

Kraigster's got it right. Just keep a bottle of the 50/50 Extended Life in the garage for those times when you need to top it off. It will keep the coolant mix in the car at the right per centage without having to worry about too much or too little AF in the mix.
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[quote=kraigster414;2127389] as we've been saying, you don't need it to top off your reservoir or fill completely. Prestone "safe for all cars" 50/50 extended life pre-dilluted coolant (yellow plastic container) will work. /quote]

 

I have topped off my coolant reservoir with a 70% mixture of "Safe for All Cars" Prestone with no ill effects to this point. I will most likely use Prestone when its time for a flush & refill.

 

This is the stuff:

http://www.sherwin-automotive.com/pr...?product=39529

or:

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ...asp?product=10

Don't let anyone tell you that locusts will swarm the earth devouring everything in sight if you don't use Mini "proprietary" coolant. It ain't so.

 

finding this thread has eased my mind a bit because i have to do a water tube between the water pump and thermostat housing and have been wondering all this myself! THANKS GUYS! question tho.... does this still stand for the 2nd gens as well?

 

Has anyone tried the Prestone - Flush & Fill Kit ??

 

I use BMW coolant, buy it on ebay. This way my blue coolant stays blue. I also use it in my english triumph motorcycle as it also came with blue colored coolant.

I think mixing coolants MAY cause some sludge or other stuff you may not want in a car, I'm no chemist , I just don't want to mix and find out later it had a reaction.

 

Used it a long time ago. Wouldn't bother with it now as you can't easily capture the old coolant and I'm anti polluting. Dealer and many indy shops have a machine that flushes and captures the coolant. IMO worth the $100 I paid for the service.

 

BMW has issued a 1991 technical bulletin, 17-01-88-(1743), which details problems with what is known as silicate gel precipitation in engines. This is the 'green goo' (yes, it actually says that in the BMW Tech bulletin - gotta love those German translators) that results as a consequence of an antifreeze over-concentration in the coolant, combined with hard water, and the phosphates commonly used in many antifreezes. BMW factory antifreeze has been formulated to prevent this problem of silicate drop-out without any coolant performance loss. This antifreeze contains no nitrites and no phosphates. The part number for a one gallon container is 82-14-0-031-133. Although I am always eager to find alternatives to expensive BMW factory products, I would stick with the factory coolant for now. This and a lot more information about the cooling system can be read HERE.

 

Logged in to say thanks for the explanation! I recently drained my system and found green dexcool, installed by a Chevy dealership :facepalm:. All of the exposed surfaces of the cooling system that I encountered were covered with brown slime. I am sure that 'universal' coolant can be used for a long time without issue but I don't trust that it is 100% safe. Though possibly there could have been residual blue coolant that mixed and reacted with the green. I'm running straight distilled to flush it out and will be going blue from here on out.