My S loses enough coolant in 300 or so miles to leave the fill tank dry (or almost). The dealer says that they cannot find anything wrong because it doesn't do it for them. The car only has about 3000 miles on it. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

look at the seal half way up the tank, is there coolant leaking from that?

Also check the heat shield directly below the tank. Is there a greenish residue on that?

My coolant expansion tank leaked, I know others have as well. It's a fairly common problem. In my case, the coolant expansion tank was replaced under warrenty, and the leak has not returned.

 

Thanks very much Dave. I'll check it out.

 

I am currently going through this. Mine was leaking from around to tank, and under the engine. They are ordering a water pump and claim the tank is ok, I have my doubts. After everything I have read about this today I think it's just the tip of the iceberg. I hope this doesn't turn into several visits to the service department to get the problem resolved. At least I got mine in before overheating, others have not been so lucky.

I have posted pictures of my leak here:
http://forums.roadfly.org/mini/forum...732&page=1

and here:
http://forums.roadfly.org/mini/forum...177&page=1


I want my MINI back!

 

>>I am currently going through this. Mine was leaking from around to tank, and under the engine. They are ordering a water pump and claim the tank is ok, I have my doubts. After everything I have read about this today I think it's just the tip of the iceberg. I hope this doesn't turn into several visits to the service department to get the problem resolved. At least I got mine in before overheating, others have not been so lucky.

>>I want my MINI back!
You should probably take a look at the link on this site as well:

Click this post

 

My dealer mentioned something when I picked my MINI up finally. He was just describing the coolant system. When the coolant gets hot it expands into the reservoir and when it cools it goes back into the radiator.

This is probably obvious to you guys. But does it explan why it doesn't happen when the dealer looks at it?

 

I'm not sure. I know that, to me, it looks like my tank is leaking. The dealer says it is ok. In the picture I posted above I don't see how coolant could get on the side of the tank from the bottom where they claim the leak was. I guess I'll have to wait until my new water pump comes in and I get my car back. I hope I don't need to take it back in right away, or at all.

 

I was waiting in a parking lot with my S idling and I looked and saw the temp gauge in the red. What the hell is this? I filled the coolant tank back up and two days later after minimal driving it was low again.............This made me nervous so I check the oil level which to me seems difficult becuase the dipstick is hard to read. Does anyone recommend adding oil to a car driven on 3500 mis??? Please advise.....any assistance would be much appreciated..............JG :evil:

 

If it is an S it could well need oil at that mileage. I recommend Mobil One or Amsoil.
Let the car sit or check in the AM before starting. Hold the stick at different angles to the light and you'll see it. As far as the coolant...check your recovery tank for signs of leakage and your waterpump. 2 areas that seem to be presenting problems. Maybe someday MINIUSA will address the problem. :evil:

 

Jim G

Take a look at the pictures I posted links to above. There seem to be 2 different coolant leaks making the rounds. If your tank is leaking it should be easy to spot. If it is your water pump you may need to look for stains on the pavement where you park your car. Lucky for me I seem to have BOTH leaks. The water pump seems to leak while the car is cooling down as far as I can tell.

 

>>Jim G
>>
>>Take a look at the pictures I posted links to above. There seem to be 2 different coolant leaks making the rounds. If your tank is leaking it should be easy to spot. If it is your water pump you may need to look for stains on the pavement where you park your car. Lucky for me I seem to have BOTH leaks. The water pump seems to leak while the car is cooling down as far as I can tell.
>>
>>
People should email MiniUSA about the coolant problems until we get an answer!!!
:evil:

 

>>>>Jim G
>>>>
>>>>Take a look at the pictures I posted links to above. There seem to be 2 different coolant leaks making the rounds. If your tank is leaking it should be easy to spot. If it is your water pump you may need to look for stains on the pavement where you park your car. Lucky for me I seem to have BOTH leaks. The water pump seems to leak while the car is cooling down as far as I can tell.
>>>>
>>>>
>>People should email MiniUSA about the coolant problems until we get an answer!!!
>> :evil:

I've sent in my letter. Even though my car isn't here yet, I'd like to be relatively sure that during my motoring sessions, I'm not loosing coolant. Nothing ruins a good session faster than an overheating car. Well, maybe a flat tire.

 

Take the Coolant Poll on MINI2

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...threadid=18659

 

Was towed in 4 days ago - car overheating, coolant level non-existent. Seal on the water pump was cracked.

Also as an aside when asked to fix my hatch rattle for the second time they told me a NEW latch was being developed - stronger. I suggested they might be rebuilding the whole car piece by piece.

Frustrated in Nashville but grateful for these posts!

 

Just got my coolant tank changed today..wouldn't have known to look if it wasn't for this forum. Thanks everyone!! My dealer got the tank in less than a week and replaced in less than an hour, I was out the door..great service. Nash, I'm sorry to hear about your MINI..I hope the "bugs" get worked out soon.

 

Geeze, maybe I *should* check mine out closer. I gave it a quick inspection and didn't notice anything...but with the amount of folk having trouble....

R

 

I just got home from the Vegas Mini Dealer. It seems that they have had quite a few brought in with the coolant leak. Mine is from an "O" ring that was installed improperly. I've got to wait for the part and then it will take them 6 hours to replace it. I hope it fixes the problem.

 

test

 

As I patiently wait (not) for my MCS in Feb, I can't help but wonder if I shouldn't drive it 500+ miles before leaving my dealer line of sight. The dealer is 200+ miles away from home and would be very disappointed to have issues arise away from the dealer irrespective of the great after-the-fact MINI roadside service.

Note: One and three months in service failure rates are key measures of an assembly plant's (Oxford) out-going quailty level. Plant managers are measured and compensated on these measures.

Given my Quality Automotive experience over the last 20 years, ABS, CV joints, ... I question if this design (product and process) is truly de-bugged. Put the excuses aside as the lastest automotive buzz continues to be the execution of a "Flawless Launch" for the last 5 years whether its GMs GP-12 or DCs SafeLaunch to protect their JD Powers ratings. I would say BMW has failed.

For those still waiting for thier MC/MCS, is there 1 master list on this forum noting all issues one can use as a checklist during the first 90 days of "motoring"?

 

>>My S loses enough coolant in 300 or so miles to leave the fill tank dry (or almost). The dealer says that they cannot find anything wrong because it doesn't do it for them. The car only has about 3000 miles on it. Has anyone else had this problem?

Yes..I just found out today,Jan 3, 2003, that my Mini S has remain in service for a whole day if not more..in order to pull out the Supercharger to get at the leak from the water pump flange. Problem is the dealer, Don Rosen, Bala Cynwd,Pa. is not close to me..one of the misfortunes of not having more than 2 dealers in this State....
:evil:

 

Hi, I just wanted to comment that I have an S and live on Oahu, Hawaii. I have changed my coolant container three times all within a month apart. I have talked to the dealer here in Hawaii and said that MINI should be doing something about it. I have e-mailed them myself as well and MINI is actually working on it. It is a bummer to leave your MINI at the shop all day. I feel you.

Jody Mae


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MNCS-darksiler-sunroof-changed rims (SPADE)-8mmnologywires-intake-borladualexhaust-control arm-mossminiskidplate-bmpstrutbrace-stillwaitingforH&Rcoilovers(onbackorder)-tornado-modifiedfrontgrill

 

We are also on our 3rd tank. Supposedly, MINI is changing the design for a new tank because just replacing them time after time is not working. Keep a close eye on the levels and color change. If you notice a change, have the dealer test what's in the tank.............

 

Gee...tank design change...how long should that take?? :evil:
Wake up MiniUsa !!!

 

Had the coolant leak in my S. Posting from MINI in the dealer system was an "O" ring at the water pump shrinks when car gets cold. Took 6 hours to remove/replace bumper, aluminum structure behind the bumper, lights, intercooler, radiator, top of supercharger and intake manifold to get to the water pump and change the 25 cent "O" ring. Haven't had leak since. Glad I didn't have to pay for it. My dealer in Charleston, S. C. USA is the greatest. They are all enthusiasts. The dealer gerneral manager races his MINI and is currently testing a Borla Cat Back system on dyno. I want the Magaflow if it's not too loud.

 

JBUSA is on track here. If you have a very slight coolant leak at the front of the car, just behind the bumper it's the O-ring. You'll lose a little coolant intermittently. Typically there is the tell-tale dinner plate sized stain on the driveway in the morning. The front bumper and radiator must be removed to get to the O-ring. Apparently one of the robots at the factory was setting one bolt too tight and slightly ahead of sequence and it tweaked the O-ring a bit.
My dealer (MINI of Peabody, MA) fixed it handily just earlier this week. If your MINI service dept. is saying they "don't know" what the problem is they have been living in a vacuum! So many of the problems are so well documented that it doesn't make sense that they "don't know". Get to another service dept. if it's at all possible.