Well I just picked up Cavan today and pulling into the drive way I noticed a liquid trail coming from under him! I peek under and notice that there's quite a bit dripping from a point about dead center and a foot back from the front wheels. I back up the MINI to look at the small puddle. The liquid was clear, no odor, and felt like water. I'm almost positive that's what it is, but why? It's been a pretty hot day, low 90's all day, about mid 80's when I noticed. There's been bad humidity the past couple days, though today was fine.

Thoughts? Comments? Concerns???

 

Not to be silly, but is it possible that it was just water from the a/c ?
If the washer fluid is overfilled, it can also spillover. Good luck, I hope whatever it is, it gets resolved painlessly.

 

If you were running the AC recently, the puddle/trail you see is probably condensation that has drained out of the evaporator housing for the climate control system. This is the normal result of the AC system pulling the moisture out of humid summer air before the cooled air is vented to the cabin. If you check under the car when the AC is running on a hot, sticky day, you should be able to find the end of the drain tube under the car by looking for the source of the dripping water.

Depending on the angle at which the car is parked, sometimes a little residual water can drain out later- occasionally, several days later, in some cars.

As a side note, if the AC drain gets clogged up with debris (this shouldn't happen on a MINI, thanks to the cabin air filter), the most frequent symptoms are a persistent musty odor from the AC/heat vents, and a wet carpet in the front seat toeboard area. This occurs when the water cannot exit via the normal egress, and the liquid level inside the evaporator housing rises until it reaches an unsealed seam or the floor vent opening. Yuk!



:smile:

 

As mentioned above, its most likey water from the AC. You can check this by putting your finger in it and rubbing it... If its oil based, you will know. Water will just be thin and dry quickly... Enjoy the car... seems like the AC works fine...

 

Minis are easily excited, & have large bladders.............. AC drain right where you described

 

Okay, yeah that's it. Please excuse the utter lack of automobile knowledge, but just wanted to be sure.
Better safe than sorry.
Thanks guys.

 

If you put your mouth over the tailpipe and blow real hard, a lot more will squirt out.

 

LOL...what you learn on NAM.

 

When it is very humid, use the re-circ. when the A/C is on, way less humidity in the car, than outside.

 

Don't feel bad Dr. Doogie. When I first got my BMW the exact same thing happened....only I took it to the dealership FREAKING OUT! They were gentle in their ridicule of me at least.:smile: