I am currently on my 4TH--yes 4th--coolant expansion tank in 7 months. The issue with me wasn't the ammount that I was losing but the sweet noxious oder that found its way into the cabin every time the tank started leaking. See the tank is 2 pieces of plastic and when it gets to hot, it expands and out comes the coolant from where the 2 pieces are joined. Great design ehh?
Well, I talked with MINIUSA on friday and they told me a new tank should be avalible in March sometime. Made from nylon not plastic(isn't nylon a plastic ) . Dont know if its one piece or not though--he wasn't that knowlegeable. Heres to hoping that MINIUSA gets it together soon.

Daniel

 

I'll sticky this post too since many MCO members have had both the color change and the coolant loss / expansion tank leak. Hopefully MINI gets this issue resolved soon.

 

Thats interesting to note. I too had this issue and they replaced it with the same exact plastic tank. It hasnt leaked yet and my driving habits havent changed although it is winter. Oh well I was hoping that would be the end of it, I suppose when summer rolls in I will know.

 

I'm going in Friday to have my expansion tank replaced again. The sad thing is that since I have 19,400 miles on the car, and this will only be the 3rd tank thats being installed, I actually consider myself a little lucky.

 

Well, the wife just called me at work and said that there's a puddle of coolant under the car. Thing is, it's been stored in the barn for the last 2 months. I do start it every 2-3 weeks, just 'til it warms up. And it has been COLD here lately. Ya think that's enough to aggravate either the tank or the water pump seal? I'll take a look under the hood when I get home.

DREW

 

I read with interest the thread concerning coolant loss after I noticed my tank seemed a little low. After taking a closer look, I saw that, sure enough, the tank was bone dry. I.m really greatful to MCO and all it's members for keeping such a diligent watch on my MCS. I can be very lax about these things even though I've always done all my own work on my cars.

So, Now I know my tank is empty but I don't know how much coolant is in the radiator and I can't find the radiator cap. I'm later told by the dealer that there is none. Is this true? If so. how do you do a flush? Maybe thru the heater hose. I dunno. Is there a cooling sys petcock on the block? The coolant was also the predicted brown color.

I filled the tank with distilled water. The radiator was full. Thanks to MCO I caught it befor any damage was done. The dealer changed the tank the next day with the usual story about BMW being aware and the fluid still being protective. There was no mention of the tank being a chronic problem. Of course I was on to their act, again thanks to MCO. So, they washed my Mini and sent me on my merry way. Of course I know that there will probably be a repeat performance of this whole escapade. Oh well, "I love My Mini" so I'll just keep motoring (and smiling) until they get all the bugs worked out.

Thanks for all your help.

Stay cool

Dan :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

After having my MCS for 5 months and over 10,000 miles I have not had a leak, but the fluid is brown so just to be on the safe side I will take it in this week. I will see if i can get some info about how many in the DFW area have had this problem.

 

Dealer changed pump, conn. flange & tank @ 4,947 miles on MCS, now 200 miles later still leaks, they suspect tank, we'll see next week. I'm told earlier cars have coolant leak problems.

 

MINI does know about the problem, according to my dealer I am one of the first with a different coolant tank. He mentioned that they have been having problems with leaking. So hopefully newer MCSs won't have this problem and hopefully they can fix all the older MCSs with this problem. I must say, I've picked up my MCS last week and we've had nothing but icy, wet and snowy roads. It's given me a good chance to make sure the DSC works. :smile:

So far I'm really impressed with everything.
-Chris

 

Chris,
Can you post a pic of the new tank??

 

I would like to see that tank as well.....as I'm bout ready to go get my third coolant tank.

Peace,
D

 

>>Chris,
>>Can you post a pic of the new tank??
--------
Picked up my MCS on 2/15/03, yeserday (DOB 1/10/03). The coolant tank appears to have a larger ultrasonic weld area to join the two halves. The supplier of the coolant tank to MINI has definitely changed their process.

Appears the original design was insufficiently tested to assure a leak- free joint under operating pressures and cycles.

I'll post a pic later.

 

Can someone recommend a good brand of coolant to use? I've never had to replace coolant before, so your wisdom would be appreciated. Should I stick withe blue stuff that's in there or does that matter?????

 

Dealer changed pump, conn. flange & tank @ 4,947 miles on my MCS, and a second pump less than 500 miles later (with story they couldn't find leak). The leak was almost under front bumper in center of car. I think if the leak is in the front, it's probably pump, o-ring or related part(s). If it's near the rear (of motor) it's probably coolant tank.

 

I just got back from my dealer (Ferman). I had it in to get the horn fixed and asked them to check the coolant. Sure enough it was low, and is leaking from the water pump. How annoying after only about 3300 miles.

 

Hello all,

Brand new MCS with a leaking tank
I am thinking that we might form a coalition to enable Mini to help all of us as a group.
Please advise.

 

At 13,500 miles I had my 3rd tank installed. It's the new style, kinda brownish in color. 300 miles later, no leaks .I cleaned the area in my garage( where the green stain was) so I can keep an eye on it. I'll keep y'all posted, MB

 

Hello from South Africa. I've had a Mini Cooper for just over a month and also had a coolant problem. The gauge shot all the way to the red zone at one time (thankfully, I was able to switch off). BMW, who service the vehicles locally, diagnosed a faulty bleeder screw. The problem has subsided and the vehicle is behaving, I've driven about 1000kms since they looked at it.

Hope this helps.

Best regards - Faruk

 

>>Hello from South Africa. I've had a Mini Cooper for just over a month and also had a coolant problem. The gauge shot all the way to the red zone at one time (thankfully, I was able to switch off). BMW, who service the vehicles locally, diagnosed a faulty bleeder screw. The problem has subsided and the vehicle is behaving, I've driven about 1000kms since they looked at it.
>>
>>Hope this helps.
>>
>>Best regards - Faruk<<


:smile: :smile:

Welcome to MCO, Faruk!

Thanks for the info on the coolant tank. My Cooper's coolant turned brown, but I've not seen any sign of leaking....yet. The level has remained near the maximum line. And my hubby tested the coolant, which shows that it is good to -37 and still has the proper 50/50 mix. I've got 9200+ miles on her now, so I'll have it checked at the 10K servicing!

Cheers!
Clover

 

Looks like my last posting was done in haste

The Cooper has since overheated twice more and is currently with the dealer, receiving some attention.

The problem essentially relates to the engine losing water, air getting into the system causing an air lock and consequent overheating.

This situation has somewhat diminished my excitement, as the vehicle is only a month old. I eagerly await the diagnosis from the dealer, who seem quite puzzled as to what's amiss.

If you have any thoughts, please mail me farukwaja@hotmail.com

Best regards

 

I purchased my 2002 Mini Cooper S in September (I love her--- her name is Lola) Lola has gone 5700 so far. Two weeks ago while stopping to talk to a friend about my Cooper (I was actually idling). My car overheated in a matter of 5-10 minutes. The indicator went to red and fortunately I was able to turn off the engine immediately. The coolant level was low, so after filling it to the full mark I just decided to watch it closely. Yesterday I experienced the second occurrence, same thing, while idling the car overheated. We tested the car today, took it out for a spin, and then put it in idle. Again the indicator was moving to the hot mark... but this time my boyfriend had the bonnet up, and was waiting to see if the fan would come on if the car started getting hot, it did not, so it looks like I may have a problem. Also, I definitely have a small leak in the coolant tank as I noticed a couple drops of coolant on the garage floor. looks like it is leaking around the seam. I am calling the dealership on Monday. Fermin in Palm Harbor Florida. I will chronicle what they find, and what they do to fix her.

 

Checked my coolant this morning when the car will still cold. The level was pretty low and the color was "poo-brown". My wife noticed some liquid under the car when we were out motoring this weekend, I didn't pay much attention to it, until I came back to MCO and read this and other related thread.

I have a service appointment tomorrow after work. Will let you know what they say.

thanks MCO, i'm glad I can come into this situation armed with this knowledge

 

Hi. Just checked my coolant last night on my 10/02 build MCS. No leaks, and the level seems fine (halfway between min/max indicators after a 3 mile drive). Did notice though that coolant was an orange/red tone. Looks perfectly normal if the coolant was Dexcool, but my understanding after reading this thread is that our cars don't use Dexcool, but rather some other kind of purple/blue coolant?

 

Should be blue....

 

damn coolant tanks I mentioned that I had seen a puddle of something under the car. That was the first time I had driven the car for more than an an hour (I have a very short commute).

I drove to my gas station this morning to inflate my tires, it's only about a quarter mile from my place, and when i opened the bonnet to get a clearer look at the coolant level, I realized the engine was pretty damn warm for the car only having been on for 2 mins. Is that normal or am i just being paraniod ?