First is Mini collant really blue, have few spots and thought it was the windsheild washer liquid. Dealer indicated coolant , and the top suspect is the thermostat as they indicated these are a problem on 1st gen R52 mini's. My MCS is a 2007 convertible which was first gen. Dealship is $500, do they have to take the Turbo off or something?

Also, anyone seen a Factory Service Manual for a R52?

 

Coolant spots are blue. Thermostat housing/gasket would be highly suspect. $500 is high. If out of warranty, take the car to a local shop that works on Minis. Look around the thermostat housing for pooled liquid or dried white residue from the coolant evaporating to detemine if housing gasket is actually leaking. Could be the plastic coolant tank leaking at the seam. Make sure to keep coolant level topped off until leak is fixed.

 

Will take a look ..... unfortunately we do not seem to have any local shops that work on Minis .... have to use the Birmingham, AL or Nashville, TN dealerships.

 

Not sure where you live, but if the Birmingham or Nashville shops are your dealership options, it may be worth your while to come over to Atlanta and see Way at Way Motor Works. A bit longer of a drive, but no one knows more about these cars.

 

Thanks ...... i may give them a try, had aa couple of interesting comments about both B'ham and Nashville

 

If you, or you and a friend have any mechanical ability and a few basic metric tools, you can do the job in a few hours. If you'll do a search on "replace thermostat" in the "How To" section, it's spelled out step-by-step. Suggest you replace both the stat and the housing while in there. Order the parts on-line from Way and do it...You'll save $$$ and bond more with your MINI!

 

R52's are surpercharged.... -_-