Let me start by saying I know where the search button is, and I've nosed around with it for a bit already but am having no luck.

We have a '05 Cooper S and it's starting leaking tranny fluid. I have read up on how to change and fill the tranny, but I have a question about the leak and I'm hoping someone here can tell me what's up.

Here's pics: (going to put links rather than embed because they are big)
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g9...akingBoot1.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g9...akingBoot2.jpg

The leak is coming from the accordianized rubber boot part. It appears to be from the ends of it (ie: it doesnt look cracked ot punctured anywhere). I don't know what the part is called - hence some of my search woes... and what I'm wondering is what the boot/hose/seal there is and how it works. Is it supposed to have tranny fluid in it? Or is the leak somewhere else and that's just where its accumulating? I dont know how to evaluate the problem.

Any assistance or direction to the right info would be appreciated.

Thank you

 

If it is coming from the boot then it is actually brake fluid. That is your slave cylinder and it basically a piston that pushes against that lever whenever you push you clutch pedal. You are going to have to replace it.

 

Ugh, thats a brakeline? I was fairly sure the fluid looked like tranny fluid. Is the fluid supposed to run through that boot like a hose? Or is it leaking somewhere else and running down into the boot?

And thanks for your response. I do appreciate it.

 

Your hydraulic clutch uses brake fluid for its working medium, it is not connected to the braking system. The rubber boot is a dust cover for your clutch slave cylinder. The brake fluid is leaking past the seals in your clutch slave cylinder. The slave cylinder needs to be rebuilt or replaced.

Dave

 

Alrighty, well I think that nixxes the fix it in the garage plan. I don't know how hard it'll be to swap that part out myself.

I appreciate the responses guys, thanks

 

I would error on the side of caution here, the reservoir for your clutch slave cylinder is the same reservoir used by your brakes. Please check your brake fluid level before driving the car.

 

The car is on jackstands right now and will stay there until I know what to do with it. Since my closest Mini center is 180 miles away in Sacramento, I was hoping this would be something I could fix myself. I just wasn't sure if the boot I was asking about was a fluid line that was leaking, or of it was something more involved.
It sounds like its something more involved than replacing a rubber hose, which is unfortunate. But I appreciate the responses and input from all of you folks. Thanks.

 

You certainly dont need to take it to the dealer for this. Any competent garage should be able to work on a hydraulic clutch.