My coolant expansion tank in my 2003 Mini Cooper has a crack in the cap. There doesn't seem to be a crack in the seam of the bottom of the tank, and so I'm wondering if this has anything to do with the fact that I am losing coolant? I'll try and take some photos.

 

The GEN1 tank is a piece of **** and I ended up replacing mine, or those of other owners, about every 3 years.

Fortunately is is neither expensive or hard to replace.

If I had a cracked cap I'd replace the whole unit.

Is that where your coolant is going? Hmmmmm ... check the thermostat housing.

 

I've replaced the thermostat housing and gasket a while back because I thought that was what the issue was the first time around.. However, I noticed the coolant is gone again (it's been a couple months now).

Also, sorry for not putting this in the Stock Problems forum, I'm frustrated and can't think!

 

Is this a Cooper or an S? They are different. If it's an S the tank is under pressure and it would be a loss of coolant.

If it is a cooper the tank is just an overflow tank and that is not your coolant loss.

 

Okay that helps...

Now what I need to do is figure out how to flush the system and bleed it out. Considering most of the guides I have seen pertain to the S, how would I go about finding out which hoses I need to vacuum?

Thanks again for the help,

Yama