Thanks to you all my front end is rebuilt and back to handling like a go-cart! Now a new issue, a coolant leak at the left front corner of the car. I see by on line pictures there is a connection pipe housing bolted on the lower part of the radiator, is this a failure point or are the MINI radaitor prone to failure? Let my know your take on this and any good link for inspecting the problem and the R&R process of the radaitor if I need to go down that route, thanks, AL.

 

My wife's 03 has the same problem (same place too). I ordered a new thermostat since I was going to be working on it. I cant seem to find the spot where it was leaking from however, I noticed a small rusty (8mm) bolt on the bottom of the radiator (where the lower hose is connected to the radiator). Being that the bolt above it was without rust, I am assuming that this might be the area so I will remove the radiator, inspect hoses, replace the 8mm bolt with a new clean one and see if there is a gasket that needs to be replaced. The area that might need a gasket is where the lower hose attaches to the radiator. It looks like a thermostat housing and has two (one above the other) 8mm bolts. That piece that looks like a thermostat housing might have a gasket between it and the radiator since its a hard plastic housing being bolted to another hard plastic piece I am assuming there might be a gasket there. If so and it does need to be replaced I will have to do further research as to where to get a replacement.

This car has only 65k miles on it so it shouldn't be anything major.

 

Replace the gasket, housing and thermostat, if not it will leak, AL.

 

any update on this thread? I just spotted the same type of leak this morning. There is about an ounce of fluid on the garage floor at the left front of the car.

 

Yes I made a post at https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...r-choices.html and from what you posted you may be looking in to replacing a radaitor as well, stay tuned, AL.

 

Okay, I'm ready to go in! !! I found all kinds of other problems, like a leaking trans coolers, and a possible broken core support. Does anyone know if the the A/C condenser will swing out of the way to remove the radiator and core support? I hate to remove the refrigerant. Anyone have a good radiator support for a 2003 base model MINI? My daughter's killing me , Help! .

 

Okay, I guess I'm on my own, AL.

 

Yes the rad core support will swing out of the way, no need to mess with A/C lines

 

Thanks for your follow up! Her MINI neededs a trans cooler, radiaitor, and a core support and planed o getting into it over the long weekend, AL.

 

I was trying to get a how to from Pelican parts but I'm really sleepy lol, why do you need a new core support?

 

The bottom of the support is loose like it my be cracked from hitting hard snow or a low curb at a 7-11, AL.

 

Mine was cracked at the bottom I was able to salvage it with a bit of ingenuity lol. Good luck

 

Thanks! I'm a fleet mechanic for Coca-Cola (heavy) and will be digging in and will report back, AL.

 

Well, it's done! The radaitor, oil cooler, front bumper and core support. All in all was not a bad experience. If anyone needs any pointers let me know, AL.