Concur w/ZippyNH...Blown head gasket. :(

 

The oil looks perfect though?

 

Something to look at, but not no alternator/battery light....so belt/damper is likely OK IMO...but easy to look at!!
Sometimes they mix....some times they don't....a pro should be able to get to the bottom of it. Some simple steps...like listening to the sc/water pump gears, etc to rule out some items is easy....but sometimes it best to get a set of experienced hands involved before digging too deep...just be sure to tell them what you have already done.....

 

ok i will. I'm going to try a place tomorrow and see how much they will charge. I'm dreading that phone call.

 

Well the mini is going to the shop tomorrow. $1800 and it should be ready to go.

 

Why?

 

+1^

 

At this point I would also think head gasket. What appears to be "boiling" may actually be compression being pushed into the cooling system, which would also explain why it won`t fill or bleed properly.

 

Why what?

 

Why what? What is being done that will cost $1800?

 

Aka...what was the issue?!

 

Well the guy just quoted me for a head gasket replacement, head work, parts and labor bc that's what I think it is but he said he can't give me a definite price til they run some tests.