I called my dealer today (mine's dark brown as well) and asked--they said it's normal, but did mention the possibility of leaks.

I also asked about mixing regular coolant vs. MINI stuff & they recommended MINI (of course.)

Has anyone actually talked with MINI corporate to see (1.) this is really a problem or not, and (2.) if they recommend flushing the stuff?

I'm going on a trip next week--I'd like to take care of this before then if possible!

TIA,

Jeff

 

My take is this (and by no means am I a certified Mini Tech)- we are all witnessing the growing pains of a new car - Mini will figure these things out, but it takes quite a bit to get an official recall instated. My guess is that they will issue a TSB to all dealers (Tech Service Bulliten) so that when you are in for your 10K, a flush and inspection on the cooling system is in order.

I talked to Mini again yesterday and they are being very professional about it. Like others, my coolant levels have dropped to MIN under hot and cold conditions, so I am loosing coolant somewhere and the color change within 2 months is no good. Mini is simply telling me to keep my eye on the level everyother day - make sure you stop the car if that temp gauge rises quickly and document everything. A digital camera may be useful here as ell as your new Mini record book.

So what I can suggest to everyone is to be aware of the situation - it is happening to MC's and MCS', although not all. There should be some kind of answer soon. I know they are looking over several samples and analyzing the data.

-Peter/RSpeed

 

I spoke to MiniUSA and he said....
Dude...what kind of car is that???

 

Anyone get this problem resolved yet?? :evil:

 

I'm going to..................myself. I have my 2nd oil change due sometime soon. So next week while I go to my local Ford dealer whom I'v had a great relationship with for the past 6 years, to get that done, I'm asking for a coolant flush and to put their kind of coolant in place of what's in there now as well as in place of that BMW/MINI stuff. Asked my dealer if it was alright, and he said yes. Obviously he recommended using the BMW coolant. But I don't feel like going through this all over again if that's the same stuff in the car now that's changing colors.
I was just at the Ford dealer last week to talk to my mechanic and service manager friends there about the situation. They said that the Ford Taurus had the same problem awhile back. Something with the ph levels. So they did a ph test right on the spot for me there. Turned out relatively normal. But they both said that it's NOT OK for the coolant to do that, and left over time will deteriorate depending on ow the fluid was manufacturred and the ingredients involved.
I'm personally not going to stand around waiting for BMW/MINI to sort this out while possibly causing harm to my car in the meantime. I'm kinda tired of worrying about it and and waiting for something to be done. I realize it takes time and testing for a manufacturer to send out a TSB or recall for a certain problem, but that's time I refuse to wait for any longer. My dealer is 4 hours away through some trecherous parts of the Rocky Mountains. That's not a trip I want to take in the dead of winter if my MCS decidedes to break down or have difficulties drving due to that coolant issue. Just my couple of cents worth into the situation.
Cheers,

 

Over on the DON't BUY A MINI thread, some just posted there are only 30 tanks still in stock (country wide). Can anyone confirm this? And how many 2003 (or post 9/02 builds) driver are having the leak problem?

 

>>I'm personally not going to stand around waiting for BMW/MINI to sort this out while possibly causing harm to my car in the meantime. I'm kinda tired of worrying about it and and waiting for something to be done. I realize it takes time and testing for a manufacturer to send out a TSB or recall for a certain problem, but that's time I refuse to wait for any longer. My dealer is 4 hours away through some trecherous parts of the Rocky Mountains. That's not a trip I want to take in the dead of winter if my MCS decidedes to break down or have difficulties drving due to that coolant issue. Just my couple of cents worth into the situation.
>>Cheers,
>>
>>
I was going to do this as well...but my mechanic(she is the best) said if
I did and then had a problem I might be up the warranty kazoo. Mini did
change it...after talking to MINIUSA...but I would really like to flush it soon.
I don't think the change was enough. It was really funky looking.

 

2minis...what mechanic are you using for your minis? I am also in the Tampa area and could use the information if my coolant changes color.

Thanks

 

>>2minis...what mechanic are you using for your minis? I am also in the Tampa area and could use the information if my coolant changes color.
>>
>>Thanks

I'll PM ya.....

 

2002 MINI Cooper CVT (August 2002 build)

2,000 miles and coolant is still as blue as when it was delivered to us 3 months ago. No leaks, no other coolant related problems.

I am afraid the coolant tank leaks reported here and in other MINI message boards are mostly affecting the MCS.

 

Anyone hear from MINIUSA on the coolant color or the recovery tank leak?
At the dealer yesterday....and they had no info....
My coolant was changed..not flushed ..tank is leaking...slight...
don't want to tie up the car yet and bring it in.....
MINIUSA????

 

Update on my 02 Cooper - coolant still brown - now way below the MIN mark at NOT (normal operating temp). I will need to top off the resovior tank - but this is not looking good. No need to panic just yet, but keep your eye on it.

-Peter

 

>>Update on my 02 Cooper - coolant still brown - now way below the MIN mark at NOT (normal operating temp). I will need to top off the resovior tank - but this is not looking good. No need to panic just yet, but keep your eye on it.
>>
>>-Peter
Well, as long as minidivision came up today..thought'I'd resuscitate
this post.....
:evil:

 

I own the MC and my coolant is brown, it's also near the Min. range. I still haven't found any leaks, but I'm due for an oil change so I'll have it checked then.

 

As long as the topic of coolant tanks came up??
How come my coolant is black....again???
And the coolant tank is leaking??? .

 

Well I am a little late to this posting....but last week I changed my oil for the second time (7500 miles) and notice a brown, carmel like substance running down from my coolant resevoir to the heat sheild. I looked and looked to try and figure out where it's coming from, thinking it couldn't be coolant because it's supposed to be green/blue.

Well I wiped it off with the intent of watching it to see where it was coming from. Now I know. I have the same problem...carmel coolant and a leaky resevoir.

 

Well, it's official

Carlos, at 1600 miles ( August 2002 build) has the bad coolant juju. Brown AND leaking from the expansion tank. Jeepers, my first trip to the dealer.

 

Has anyone figured this out yet....???????
I'm back there again myself... brown/blackish...disghusting color...
It was clean for about 1k miles.... as I just did the 10k maintenance and have 11k or so on my MCS
Dammm...

Peace,
D

 

I fixed it myself. Went to my local Ford dealer where I'm well known. Had a mechanic friend of mine flush out the bad coolant and put in some Ford stuff in its place. So far about 1000km's on the Ford stuff, and no color change. Still have that damn really slow leak from somewhere. Will have to check about a possible o-ring issue there from the water pump.
My service advisor obviously reccomended the MINI/BMW coolant. But what's the point in that. Same stuff from before. Just end up in the same situation again.
So you'd either have to wait for a solution from MINI/BMW, keep swapping MINI coolant, or go with a different brand of coolant all together.
Just my opinion.
Cheers,

 

Get this....I called Monrovia Ca., service department about the problem and I was told that it's supposed to be brown. He said it was the color of the "new" 4 year coolant...

Is anyone buying this story????

 

Sounds like BS to me. Mine is dark blue, almost black. No leaks though. (yet)

 

I thought this resolved already, official word from MINI on the color change was "a breakdown in the dye used in the coolant due to high temps" (normal operating range) I hope they find a better heat resistant dye soon.

X2

 

My husband was checking all of the fluid
levels on Mrs. Peel today and discovered
that the reservoir for the coolant was
completely empty! He filled the tank according
to the directions in the MINI manual but now
I'm concerned after reading these posts.
I knew that there had been a problem with
the coolant but since I just got my
MINI (not an S) on Jan. 7th (Dec. '02 build)
I thought I was out of danger.

Any thoughts? :???:

 

I'm going to sticky this post. It's been going on long enough. :smile:

 

>>I'm going to sticky this post. It's been going on long enough. :smile:

Thanks, Dave!
I'm glad that 2minis has kept it going, too.
I also live in the Tampa area & may need to
contact him regarding who to see.