Not sure if it was just outside air, but when i did a wot run all the way through
3rd entering an expressway, i got a sweet smell that almost smelled like
coolant.

I checked under the hood around the radiator, etc. but did not find any
leaks. Anywhere else I should look? Where is the coolant reserve anyway?

Could it be my Milltek gaskets still breaking in?

:???: thanks.

 

i guess the cooper-s only has one main tank for the coolant...anyway
i filled it to 3/4 up to max using my subaru non-corrosive coolant.
humm... doesn't look like any leaks... might ve been just outside air.

oh well.

 

Yeah, there's only one coolant overflow tank...and it's notorious for leaking on S's. I (and many, many, others) have had mine replaced more than once. I think by late in the 2003 model year, BMW was using an improved part...but prior to that they leaked.

The key is to see if your coolant level in the tank goes down. Now that you know where it is, and know how much coolant is in it (since you topped if off), just keep your eye on it.

 

jsun- which part did you have replaced? the radiator? water pump? hose?

thanks.

 

I'm talking about the coolant overflow tank. That plastic tank up against the firewall.

There have been a ton of threads about the fact that this tank is prone to leaking. Here's one. Again, MINI recently came out with a revised part, and this has apparently fixed the problem...but if you don't have the new part, there's a pretty good chance that you have a leaker.

You might check over on MINI2 to see if someone has posted a concise way of telling the new part from the old one. They tend to be more specific about those kind of things over there.

 

Interesting I seem to experience this sweet smell quite regularly. Coolent level good, cannot find leeks?!? Has what I believe is the new tank design, yellowish plastic, iit is a late 03 model. I have just been waiting to see the level drop or find a leak/puddle with the nearest dealer 200 miles away . Although I have mentally prepared myself to not use the dealer unless it is a catastrophic problem.

 

yah, I checked the tank, under the tank, heat shield, radiator, under the car...
no leaks. Mines a 06/03 build so i wasn't too worried about the tank leaking.
I thought maybe there was another reserve tank so was wondering.

Thanks again, Jsun! :smile:

 

fishy- I have the yellowish color tank too. :smile:

 

In the last couple of days I have experienced that smell as well. Fluid levels are fine. Thought it may have been some of the perservative products I was cleaning the engine with????

 

Possibly..

I drove my MCS pretty hard yesterday, but did not have any of the smell.
I think on my car, it may have been the gaskets off my new exhaust.

Temps ranged from 40F outside to 86F here in Chicago within a
matter of days, so I think the higher temps caused the gaskets to
break in a little more.


but I am keeping an eye on the coolant though each time i check my
oil level. :smile:

 

kenchan- you bring up a good point that people should ring in on here...

I have a 2004 MCS (09/03 build). Has MINI attempted to resolve this issue from the previous cars? How many of you with the 04 model are having leaks?

 

>>kenchan- you bring up a good point that people should ring in on here...
>>
>>I have a 2004 MCS (09/03 build). Has MINI attempted to resolve this issue from the previous cars? How many of you with the 04 model are having leaks?

goldcountry mini...our cars may be littermates 9/19/03...
I too have breathed in the sweet smell of coolant in the last week or so. no leaks underheath. what else could be causeing the smell to come around??

 

This may sound silly, but did any of you use your washer jets right before you noticed the smell? My dealer, and I think all MINI dealers, put something in the washer fluid to make it smell sweeter. Remember reading something about charging a little extra for it, but so far I haven't had to.

 

Had my first oil service last weekend at 11,000 miles and had a leaking tank replaced at the same time. Build date was 10/03, and it was the "updated" design that was leaking.
Jim