Arly, my sitch is similar to yours (I park my '02 MCS during the salty Chicagoland winters). And I, too, have had some coolant loss. A year ago I noticed the loss, and had Bill Jacobs MINI (where I bought the car) pressure check the system. They said it was fine, no leaks. Last summer I saw the threads about bad tanks, and sure enough, saw coolant at the seam. Called Jacobs MINI again, and they replaced the tank. Ever since I've been smelling coolant when I park the car after a drive. At first I thought the smell was just the mess the mecanic made all over the heat shield was just burning off, but I hosed it off and can still smell the coolant after a drive. I cannot see any leaks, but the level in the tank is dropping little by little.

After being told the system pressure tested OK with a leaky tank, I have zero confidence in the service department at this dealership. (Not to mention numerous other faux pas during service visits, the most recent being the mechanic left his pliers sitting atop the passenger side shock tower. I find it necessary now to check the car out before I leave the dealership.) But now I'm parked for the winter, so I'll watch these threads and see who hit on the true fix. This dealer is so crappy with their service I don't want to take it back until I can tell them what to fix.

 

The dealer filled my coolant tank up way to much is this a problem? It is probably an inch or 2 above the -MAX- line? btw this is tank #3 for me.

 

Ted,

I'll check my tank again. I have replaced the tank once.

Thanks.