Driving along and I get a yellow temp light for a few seconds then the red light for a few seconds. Then the red light turns off. Next drive: drive for 30 minutes then the red light turns on (no yellow light) then doesn't turn off. I drive home the final 3 minutes at low speed and shut off the engine. Start the engine again after 2-3 minutes and red light turns on instantly, turn off engine.

Where should I start with this one? I understand that you aren't supposed to drive at all with the red light on but it seems unlikely that the engine is really that hot if I didn't get any yellow light. I'm supposed to head out on a 1600 mile road trip tomorrow morning but it looks like that isn't going to happen.

 

Do you hear the radiator fan coming on?

Have you checked coolant level?

If both are OK, then it is possible that the thermostat is having issues.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Coolant level was low. I added about a liter of 50/50. Took it for a drive with AC on full, no temp light. I do hear a fan turning on from time to time but I understand that there is more than one fan.

So hopefully I'm good to go but I'm still a little nervous about the big road trip.

 

I would check for leaks under the thermostat and also check for leaks under the water pump. You are losing coolant somewhere.



The thermostat is on the driver side #4 , sometimes coolant can pool on top of the transmission housing and you will not see it. Part number 11537534521KT3


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11537534521KT3/



#1 is the water pump and can leak down the driver side near the drive belts. Its located towards the rear of the end on the driver side.

Water Pump part number 11518604888


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11517550484/



Last but not least the coolant tank can delvelop a crack at the base and leak from there also. Its located up near the front driver side near the core support. Check for cracks & leaks at the bottom near the connection. These places are the most common for losing coolant.

Coolant Expansion Tank Part number 17137823626


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/17137823626/ES2166017/



And the cap for the tank, part number 17132754264


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/17132754264/ES38481/




We also stock the MINI coolant right here, mixed it 50/50 with distilled water. Coolant if factory MINI will be a blue color and you will see the residue if its leaking on the transmission or in other locations.

MINI Anti-Freeze / Coolant - 1 Gallon Part number 82140031133


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/82140031133/ES196253/




Thanks and hop that helps.

 

The FIRST time it overheated....why didn't you look at the coolant level? Lesson learned...I hope. Check your oil lately? Honestly....check it weekly...and look at the coolant level at the same time.
Crappy time to have a car issue....but depending on the speed of the leak...it might have been happening for weeks.....

 

Thanks for all the help on this one. It turned out to be the water pump and was replaced by the dealer under the extended warranty. Lessons learned to check oil and coolant levels regularly.

 

Red light means STOP now & check fluids. I'm very glad you didn't damage your MINI.

 

When I get even a yellow light I'm pulling over!

 

^^^ Me too!

 

Hi,

Thanks for the informative post and links. I just got a well loved R55 Clubman base with automatic trans. It was in for a service and I am wondering about them "topping off" the fluid levels. I got the car home and noticed a small blue spot, that seems to be located under the coolant tank on the pavement. I don't see or feel any dampness in the area(s) indicated in this post. I've placed a white catch pan to see if any additional seepage.

If they filled this expansion tank up too much, does this vent to the ground, I don't see any sort of overflow tube. The wetness seems to be isolated to the lip of the bumper cover / air deflector, under the tank, along the radiator support. Also, if some spilled while filling, is there a channel it might have been trapped in and sloshed around on the drive home? I dried everything and am keeping an eye on it.

Does the automatic have any sort of cooler lines to the radiator? Is the radiator tank plastic or aluminum. It is really difficult to see the radiator to determine if this could be the source of the seepage. I don't want to presume location, as the liquid could have run along the bumper cover and just found the lowest point, coincidentally being under the expansion tank.

As a pressurized system, I would speculate a hairline crack will seep but not be readily visible and pool coolant?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Rob


Seam of bumper / air deflector where drips were

up into area around tank

Directly under tank

up into tank with attaching hoses in view