After a rather hard cold snap I have smelled coolant in the cab. Fluids were recently changed, is this something chronic. Hoses, heater core, something else? Thanks for any reponses. bneer

 

A leaky thermostat is the most common thing. MINI actually has an updated thermostat gasket to keep it from leaking.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/thermos...t-r50-r53.html

 

or the coolant reservoir is pretty common as well.

 

And if it was just serviced, it may have been slightly overfilled, resulting in some venting of excess fluid. I would closely monitor the level for a few days.

 

What year model are we talking about?

 

If you Mini is leaking coolant, you have a genuine Mini and not some knock-off from Beijing. Mine did it too.

All previous posts are good suggestions.

 

My model is a 2004 S.

 

On the S's, the most common leaks are from pin hole leaks that occur on the coolant tank...mostly on the seam, or even a crack....an easy DIY (about $35 from most vendors), and also the Thermostat....many have gaskets that seems to fail.
MINI has come out with improved parts for both....but with the tank on the S, it is generally agreed that every 3-4 years, even the new tank may need to be replaced due to the design (older tanks are pretty clear....newer is more of a yellowish/milky color). As for the thermostat, the newer gasket materal seems to have fixed the problem....and doing a new thermostat is also good preventive maintenance, even on a 5 year old car.

 

or you can get a canton tank

 

Hi All:

My 06 S recently developed a leak somewhere starting in Dec with only 12K miles on. I would see a puddle size of a pancake after the car is parked for a few days, but sometimes it's bone dry under the car. When I soaked it with paper towel, the color is bluish green. The fluid is little oily (slimmy) and I need to top off the expanison tank twice since.

How much would it cost to replace the thermostat if I have a shop to replace it? I have the MINI service manual, but I am only an amateur weekend mechanic. Is it an easy DIY? This is my wife's ride, so I want to make sure she's safe driving it.

Thank you for your help.

 

It's an easy DIY if you change your own oil or plugs....not as easy as doing a Ford because of it's location...so it takes more time and patience. Gonna have to bleed the air out after. I believe there is a DIY on that here as well.

 

It's not too bad to replace. Just follow the manual. And most of important make sure you get the new style thermostat gasket. There are some places out their with old stock still on the shelf.
If your not sure, I only have the new ones in stock.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/thermos...t-r50-r53.html

 

With that mileage you still may be under warranty if your 4 year mark is not up yet.

 

It happened right at the year mark when my warranty expired. Actually, it's my fault, it happened when I still had a week warranty left. I could not make time right after a trip returning to work.

It's no hope to get dealer to repair as goodwill. You know how BMW/MINI dealers are, maybe some are not. Anyway, I am getting a reputable BMW/MINI shop to check it out along with getting alignment done.

 

My '08 MCS has been leaking, per the dealer, through a pin hole in the radiator hose. Been leaking some time, but finally left a puddle on the garage floor. Bought some distilled water and used 2/3 of it before I got it to the dealer.(Thought I smelled coolant !)

Anyway, the dealer fixed it no problem...
Also had the problem with the window not going up all the way. Dealer did a software fix and it's OK now...