Hoping someone out there can help with an issue on my 2012 Mini! I don’t live near a dealer any longer and the last mechanic I used charged me $450 and didn’t fix the problem. I have a leak, it was noticed after the car was sitting for 24 hours. On investigation I found a clear slightly oily substance was was coming from around / under the old temperature sensor elbow (my sensor was relocated with the 2012 recall but the hose was left With original design). The sensor itself seemed a little corroded as well. Before I start calling mechanics to find one who can do the work I’d like to know:
1) what hoses are these (better yet specific part)? Water hose? Coolant hose?
2) have they come out with and or can I just replace it with a single hose? That elbow seems a weak link inviting two spots for leaks, so if a single hose could replace it since the sensor is no longer there that would be ideal?
3) any ranges on cost you can estimate? I live in the Bay Area so I know we pay a premium but knowing a ballpark will help me as I try to find a place to do the work.

Thank you in advance!

pics of the leaking spot and the residue where it’s leaked

Leaking from underneath this area, backside of joint had a layer of fluid so not sure which hose is leaking

Temp sensor seems a bit corpses making me think this may also be leaking through the sensor


Upside down photo of the residue from when I was trying to trace the leak.

 

as you mentioned, it could be the coolant leaking. I have the same thing on my 2012 convertible. for this small run, I replaced the hose/elbow with one that runs from the thermostat to the radiator junction point.

depending on location, here is the diagram...see item 1, 3 or 7.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=17_0578

 

I took it to a mechanic and he replaced the upper radiator hose (and elbow) with a single hose like you describe, cost me ~$240 including filling my oil as it is perpetually low (oil have a long daily commute so sometimes I go through a quart a week...sometimes a quart a month).