Hey Guys,

I searched around some and can't find the same leak area.....

At 95,000 miles I have 2 leaks on my 06 MCS...

The antifreeze leak seems to be coming from the grooved looking can that is in the rear of the motor. If you look down the firewall you can see this can. It has 2 hoses going to it. I looked at it with a mirror and it's not the hosed but looks like the bottom groove area of this can. Is there a joint on this can? A gasket? What is this thing? I might also add it's a slow drip....but dripping on the exhaust system so it smells

The oil leak is coming from the front of the motor...looks like up in the middle somewhere but can't see anything. It seems like it could be behind the turbo shrouding. Also a slow drip and also dripping on the exhaust pipe at the front of the motor. I'll include a few pictures but they are not very clear.

jpg 3 and 4 is the oil leak....one is taken into a mirror, and 4 shows that can

Any ideas of cause, diffculty and cost at the dealer?

I'm not very happy with this car...my cooper was great but this seems to have lots of issues.

Thanks for any help

Bobby

 

Your first problem is you have a turbo shroud on a fist gen Cooper.
Your second problem is you are going to the dealer.....okok, some are pretty good, but they tend to cost 25% more than you local mini specialist. Check with a local club....they should have recomendations.
Now to be a bit more serious....
I can't tell, but it might be the line that goes to the heater or the line that goes to the oil cooler.......heck wind might be blowing the antifreeze around the backside....tough to tell from pictures without touching it.

 

Zippy,

Thanks for the reply...what do you mean about the turbo shroud being a problem? You mean for inspection purposes or is it a heat issue. I hear what you are saying about the dealer....I'd love to be able to use someone else. I'll check the local directory on the list. Is that what that round grooved can thing is....an oil cooler? If so it's definnitly not a line....but could be a gasket if that thing is 2 peice. Definitly not the wind...I can wipe the can and it's wet again.

Bobby

 

Europerf in Clifton,NJ
ask for Kenny 973-546-2222,,,he worked on my mcs and a few friends as well...when you call you might not get him right away keep calling he is the only one there most of the times.... He worked for Jack daniels for like 10 yrs and his dad for about 30 yrs so they know german cars really good..He works on bmw,porsche,audi,VW,Mini...

Tell him Sean with Gray Mini send you.

 

hey thanks for the reply...

coop

 

I was just being a smart A$$. There is no turbo shield in a gen1. I'm sure you meant to to supercharger right?! Or perhaps the exhaust heat shield?

 

Since you have 2 separate leaks....I would not fool with it, especially since it sounds like you are not going to be able to do it your self. It could be so many different things....maybe minor....maybe major. It could be anything from a leaking radiator bottle.....common...to a worn hose, etc....you have nearly 100,000 miles and I bet they are all original....so it may be very simple....or perhaps anyone of a number of other possibilities.

Before driving it more.......
I would first off, check you oil level....make sure it is full. Next look at the oil...for general condition. Does it look normal? As long as the oil is not frothy and creamy ( very bad, but not common), and there is not an excessive amount of white-ish residue on the back of the oil cap....great (if the answer is yes to either of the above, it is an indication that antifreeze and oil may be mixing...very bad...If you see this...you might want to consider a tow).

Now----DO NOT FREAK OUT...it does not sound like you have any symptoms, but it is worth a check....better safe than sorry. It is just uncommon to have a OIL and an Antifreeze leak at the same time...so IMO it is worth looking.

If you are lucky, the oil leak is just a tired and worn valve cover gasket.....a $15.00 part...not too $$ to install...possible DIY for a handy person. It is possibly an engine seal of some type....a good shop can tell ya!!

Next check you radiator fluid level in the bottle. Look at the bottle...check for whitish residue...especially around the seam area...the bottle commonly fails.....and could be dripping. Add fluid to bring it back up to the appropriate level....a small amount of distilled water is OK, just avoid tap/spring water. Tap is better than spring/bottled water in most areas....

If you add coolant, do not use the "universal" or "DEX-COOL". Get BMW/MINI, or the appropriate fluid (BMW sells it for $14 per gallon, undiluted last time I bought it)...I think Zerex g-05 is what is generally recommended as the OEM equivalent..if you still using the factory recommended fluid it is NOT the same as the GREEN, the YELLOW, or even the ORANGE/PINK....it is actually a HYBRID!!) Also look in the coolant bottle...it should not have any engine oil in it....or smell of exhaust.
Radiator fluid is slick, but not oily.....has that smell that you have noticed.

If both of the above check out OK...it should be OK to drive a few days while you wait the appointment....just keep an eye on you fluid levels.
Good luck....be sure to post your update with your info when you find the problem!! Hopefully it is a simple thing!!

 

Bobbyn,

First, congrats on having traveled 95,000 miles in your MINI!

Having said that, having 95,000 miles on a MINI is saying a lot; and you are just now having a couple leaks? I think you have a pretty good MINI on your hands, it just needs some TLC.

Why are you not happy with it any more? Performance? Have you tried new plugs and coil?

Just curious, how often do you change the oil? What is your preventative maintenance like?

 

Dollars to donuts, your coolant leak is being caused by a bad radiator cap or a leaky hose fitting. Change the radiator cap first.

The first rule of vehicle maintenance is to always look at the cheapest component first. The leak may even be caused by a bad hose clamp.

As far as the oil leak +1 on the valve cover gasket. I'd start there.

The problem with leaks is that while driving, whatever is leaking gets blown all over the place to its really hard to determine where exactly it's coming from sometimes.

dp

 

good advice. I know reading through some other threads the coolant tank can also leak around the seams. I think I'm having that problem.

 

hey guys

first I hope you all have a great thanksgiving )

well silly me.....my mcs is an 07....not an 06 DUH (

so i do have a turbo....not a SC'er

my antifreze leak is definitly not blowing around....it's for sure leaking out of that grooved can which i think is a trans fluid cooler....i can wipe it off while the car is up on stands and within 10 minutes or so it's wet again. i checked it out with a mirror and it's definitly not coming from a hose or from above. looks like a gasketed seem on the bottom to me. it's a very slight leak but when it does drip it drips right on my exhast pipe and smells. i only smell it when sitting still (i suspect the wind blows it back....when moving so it then misses the pipe)

my oil leak is definitly not a valve cover.....it's below the valve cover...some where mid engine but again i can't see it without removing the turbo shrouding.

i put about 175,000 on my last cooper with no major issues....but this one has been a problem. i drive 50,000 a year so i rack em up fast.

i'm gona have one of the recommended mechanics look at it....

i work on all my own stuff including my motorcycle, the kids 250 kawi's, my show truck.....but this thing is really a ***** to work on.....

when you practically have to remove the nose of the car to change the alternator or air cond compressor which i did on my 04....something isn't right.

i think my next daily driver will be a volks cc sport

thanks for the replys and i hope you guys enjoy the holiday....

bobby

 

Lol....no wonder why I had a tuff time identifing what was in those pictures!!

 

First of all, I hope all of you had a very good Thanksgiving, I did! I'm still stuffed...but at least the Cowboys won! OK, enough of that.

I was alfully confused too, the picks looked unfamiliar and I was about to go under the MINI and look for myself to see if I could see those items. I've been under my MINI a dozen times and never recalled them.

Silly rabbit!

I would try asking your question on the 2nd Generation MINI forum, they may have the answer you're looking for. I hope you find the solution to your issue!

Cheers-

 

Thanks guys.....sorry for the curve ball.

I found the antifreeze leak.....it's the thermostat housing....leaking onto a flat area and running back to that can.

Tooooooo hard to get at that stinker....

Tomorrow I'll try to find the oil leak.

Bobby