Took my mini for a oil leak repair yesterday. The garage (say they) fixed the leak. I picked up my car from the garage,
after 30 mins of driving the red overheating light turns on. I park the car for the night while I am almost home :( Still
had to get cab to get home. Anyway the next morning I take another cab back to my car and check the coolant level. This is way below the minimum.
So decide to top this up with water until the maximum. I drive home and when arrive I notice white smoke coming from the bonnet on the left frontside
Anyone have an idea what this could be? another leak? Bit over the mini at the moment :(

Tom
mini cooper s r56 2008

 

White or gray smoke could be the head gasket or turbo failing, burning oil gets you blue smoke. The red light means it's at dangerous levels of heat, how long did you drive with the light red? Red means you're dead if you don't stop quickly, lots of damage can happens!

I've been having issues with unstable coolant levels, it was as simple as needing a new $40 reservoir cap.

 

Are you sure it's smoke and not steam, could you smell it. Left side equals thermostat housing/coolant hoses, if they fail coolant will run down onto hot transmission/engine which would explain overheating and loss of coolant. Do you see any dry green substance baked on anywhere.

 

Where was the original leak that they fixed?