Recently very cheaply acquired a 2009 mini cooper base 6 speed manual. While looking it over discovered oil in coolant reservoir knew the car would at least need a head gasket job. Upon disassembly took head to machine shop to verify head wasn’t warped and resurfaced. Completely cleaned the block side until surfaces were like polished. Replaced head gasket and completely reassembled but now I have coolant coming from the front center head bolt. I am at a loss at how this could be happening. Any help or recommendations would be appreciated.

 

Have you installed new head bolts........Those head bolts are a one-time use torque to yield....

 

Yes. I did install new head bolts.

 

Did you follow the service manual head bolt tightening sequence and torquing instructions?

Was head tested for cracks?

 

I did follow the sequence and instructions. I do believe it tested good at the shop. I will call shop to verify that. Perhaps have it retested, a crack is the only thing I feel like that could be causing this or am I wrong?

 

What head gasket did you install?

Did you check the flatness of the block mating surface with a precision straight edge?

 

I had this happen once, with a BMW engine- the coolant passage that went around the head bolt drilling was very close
to the bore, and with some corrosion, made its way into the bolt bore itself. My machinist pressed a sleeve into the bore,
and 20- odd years later, that head's still doing fine.

Or, yes, a head gasket failure COULD do that, too- either way, it's 'off with its head' to see what's going on.

t

 

Did you get the issue resolved. I am having the same problem and I had my head resurfaced, pressure tested and I thought checks for cracks. When I pressurized the system, I am getting coolant coming through the hole of one head bolts. I also notice that the washer on that bolt does not not fill the entire space like the remaining head bolts do. I used an Elring 729.050 head gasket 90mm thick. The machine shop said that I did not need to go with a thicker head gasket because they barely shaved any of the cylinder head. Do I need a thicker gasket? I am leaning towards the idea that there is a crack in the head. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, By the way, I have a 2009 Mini convertible (R57) and all head bolts are new and I tighten them according to Elring's head gasket instructions.