My son's 05 Mini s has a coolant leak. It's pooling in an area just below the positive battery jump port. The attached pic shows the location of the leak. Could this be simply bad hose clamps??

 

Most common leak on the cooper S is the overflow tank...splits at the seam. Pull back in your picture. How many miles?

 

Thanks for the reply. I did some digging and noticed the thermostat housing was leaking around the lower bolt. Pulled the housing off and the gasket pretty much fell apart. I'm hoping this was the cause. I'll know for sure after I get the new gasket tomorrow.

 

Yup that is also a very common leak. If the gasket is toast then pretty good chance that as the issue. Good luck

 

The gasket is molded into the thermostat...so I suggest you replace the thermostat.
A few places have tried to sell replacements, but they simply don't work...
Most every mini thermostat gasket ever made failed...and mini has revised the part...Newer ones seem to work fine.
The next most common issue is the tank mentioned... They get pinholes in the glued seam..if it has any residue around the seam, replace it.

 

Pretty common failure. We replace one a week in the shop here.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/thermos...t-r50-r53.html

It's not a bad idea to go ahead and replace the housing too since they are pretty old.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/r53-the...t-housing.html

 

Have read on many sites that keeping the fluid level below the seam in the coolant tank helps longevity.