Came out Tuesday morning to find a mysterious puddle right at the very front of the car. Parked in a different space last night and voila another puddle appeared. Was finally able to track it back to a drip from the radiator area. Checked the overflow tank and it was nearly bone dry. Not sure if I'm going to need a new radiator or if I can give some of that liquid metallic radiator leak stuff a try. Any suggestions? Not happy. Haven't had the lil girl for even a week and already this...my fault...didn't have a PPI and bought it "as is" but come on!!!

 

Don't use the magic in a can crap. Repair it properly. Find the source of the leak and replace the necessary parts (probably the radiator, not a very difficult job on these cars).

 

Sounds like a leak from the radiator at the neck possible. If its the neck you will have replace the whole thing most likely. Do you have a pic of the leak?

#1 on the diagram.



Dont know which model Gen 1 MINI you have but here are both of the:
R53 / R52 Cooper S version. Auto and manual.

Aluminum Radiator Part # 17117570489


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/17117570489/



&


"Justa" Cooper which needs the R50 / R52 (Non - S ) version. Auto and Manual.

Aluminum Radiator Part # 17117570821


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/17117570821/


Thanks

 

Just went through this, don't bother with a stock unit pick up a Mishimoto. Damn thing is warranted even if the car gets in an accident. Its a bit more expensive but full aluminum "no fail plastic like OEM' and it fits like a glove.

 

How much does a Mishimoto set you back compared to a OEM?

 

Trying to identify the source. I have a 2003 R53 6sp.

 

pretty sure a true OEM is $225-250 marked down from $300. I paid $300 for the Mishimoto to my door. Its really nice and worth the extra $$.

 

Was able to catch a picture of the leak point. Refilled the overflow tank and let the car warm up. Within a few minutes, i had zeroed in on the leak at the top left of the radiator. Was leaking about one drop per 10 seconds.

 

Its looks like that top corner of the tank, at the neck, unless you can see something else. Currently our picture of our Cooper S radiators are upside down but it would be that lower corner in our pic, where the necks connects to flange.

For the MINI Cooper S R52/ R53 . That what you need and if you decide to go with the Mishimoto one its in the link at the bottom and a direct fit.


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/17117570489/




Thanks

 

Wow, exact same leak just started on my '02 MCS! 2nd rad that's only 2 years old, too.
I'm going to attempt to get the neck off on Monday and see if there's an o-ring or seal that needs replacing. Anyone happen to know what size the ring is and if it's possible to get from the dealer? I somewhat doubt they would have it as dealer MO is always to do full replace.

 

There is no MINI part number for the O-ring. Might be able to match it up, there was a couple guys who tried the O-ring fix and reseal it and then leaked again.

Thanks and good luck.

 

Took it to my normal mechanic and they pressure tested the system. Looks like I need a radiator entirely. I'm going to let them work on it and not take it to the euro-car mechanic in the next town over. We'll see how it goes. I've used these guys for years with good success so I hope it holds try for the Tardis.

 

Was the "new" rad that failed an oem or a cheap replacement?
You can get new ones for about $100 on rockauto...same brands as the auto zone, etc for half the cost....simple swap if I recall from changing out my radistor fan....

 

I bought a Behr from ECS for about $200. Indistinguishable from original.

 

Careful behr 'service' is not oem behr. Two different product lines. The quality is not the same.