Seems that i may have a leak... Hard to fix? Should I be concerned? Just looks bad....

 

Not hard to fix, no damage, except the mess and NVH. This was a warranty issue, so the dealer may cover it if you're close to warranty mileage/time.

 

Easy to replace provided you have the correct Torx female socket, and a long extension.

 

Replace it with an aftermarket so you don't ever have to worry about it leaking again.

http://www.waymotorworks.com/tsw-eng...6-r50-r53.html

 

You can clean up the goo with rubbing alcohol ---

 

Thanks guys! Amazing the speed of input in this forum! A real help!

 

Normal problem, just need to replace the mount.

 

We changed the brakes on my 2006 Mini S and fluid came out from the front. I have also noticed a jerking notice when I come to a stop too fast -- which I do too often -- hence the brakes.

How do you know if it is a lower or upper motor support? There seems to be so many different things it can be, just want to make sure I order the right part.

Thanks,
Ann

 

The one pictured is the upper mount. Call Way at waymotorworks, he'll take care of you.

 

I'm confused. The fluid is leaking under the driver's side -- 90% sure motor mount is bad. Is there a motor mount on the driver's side of the car? It does not leak on the passenger's side. How do I know which support is bad? How many have fluid in them?

Any help is appreciate, as we girls need to make sure we are getting what we pay for and we only pay for what we really need.

 

Ann, that will depend on what kind of fluid was leaking out, won't it? Do you know what it was? What color? Was it water soluable or oil based? Did it have any special odor?

Generally, the mount the OP is talking about is on the passenger side, the one on the driver's side is not liquid filled, and I don't remember anyone having to replace the left one - ever.

 

The fluid is coming from the driver's side; it is oily but does not have any color to it. I had taken the car in twice before, but the dealer could not find any leaks -- guess most of the fluid was out by then. When we change the break pads last week and raised the passenger's side up, the oil came out -- nothing came out when we raised the driver's side. I did not notice any smell to the fluid.
Thanks for the quick replies.

 

Is it oil, or oily? Very possibly it's the thermostat gasket. See this thread. Pics at the end of the thread show where it might be leaking.

 

I'd bet on a thermostat housing seal as well - it's an o-ring IIRC....nope, a gasket - #5 in the drawing below.

Don't know why but '06's seem especially prone to this leaking, a new seal and sometimes a new housing will fix it right up!

 

Is it possible it could be the transmission or shifter shaft seal? It is an automatic with the Steptronics. I have a bad knee, so an automatic with the Steptronics was my best option if I wanted to drive a Mini.

With the transmission jerk I get when I come to a fast stop, I can't help but think it could be something to do with the transmission -- I guess it could be the engine moving around.
There is no color to this fluid and the first time it leaked it looked like it sprayed from under my car while I was driving. I don't see any leasks any more; guess it all leaked out when we raised the passenger's side -- about a cup of the fluid leaked out then and was definately coming from the driver's side of the car. Can the mount leak run down to the driver's side?

I hate to take it to the Mini dealership, as it is almot 100 miles away, and I either have to take off of work or spend all day on Saturday there. To go there without knowing what it might be concerns me; and to be honest Hendrick Mini's Service Rep is not a wealth of knowledge, or at least not on sharing it if he has it.

Is there someway I can pin point the problem?

I can't find a service manual that covers the 06 Mini with Steptronics anywhwere. Anybody know where I can find one?

Thanks again guys for the help,

 

The hydraulic fluid is oozy and black. Check your coolant reserve tank. If it's low, fill it and keep an eye on it. If not, then check elsewhere. As MINIdave said, the thermostat leak is common.

 

The little jerk you get is normal. When you decellerate in this car it shuts off the fuel completely, as you get close to idle speed it cuts back on - that's what gives you that slight jerk - it's not a problem with the transmission.

Transmission fluid has color, feel and smell - I'm thinking coolant leak. Do as Eric suggested and check your coolant tank, top it off and head over to the dealer - this is a common enough repair that they'll be able to spot it easily.

One other thought, do you think it could have been rainwater (or carwash water) up in the framework somewhere that came out because you lifted and tilted the car? Also, have you been running your A/C? It could be condensation from the A/C too.....although that usually drips down on the right side of the car....

 

It is too oil to be rain water; and it has not color to it; coolant is blue or green isn't it?

This is definately sometime of oil.

So there is no motor support on the driver's side that has fluid in it?

 

No, the left side mount is not oil filled.

It's most likely the thermostat housing leaking, this is a common and easy repair on the 06 MCS. Go there first....

Antifreeze is slightly oily feeling to the touch, and is mostly clear unless you get a good sized puddle of it. Try dipping a clean piece of white paper into it, if it has color it will show up on the paper.

 

Given how much fluid you're seeing, a simple check of the coolant expansion tank will tell you if you're losing coolant or not. Thermostat is abcakebtonfix on these cars if its the issue. You won't even have to drain the coolant. Just remove the airbox and MAP an you can pull the thermostat housing.

 

Does this issue cause a jerking when under accelerating? I get a really bad jerk whenever i tap the gas.