They timed it right. We are about 2k outside of the 36k warranty. Noticed a spot on the driveway. Looked under the car and saw fluid dripping off the exhaust union at the down pipe to the flex section. Followed it up and it looked like it was dripping from the oil pan gasket. At first look it felt slippery, so I thought it was oil. I checked the oil pan bolts and tightened down one that was a touch looser than the others. The next day, spot was back on the driveway.

I did a forum search for oil leaks and such, but no luck. Someone posted about spraying the driveway spot with water (water beads up = oil, no beading = coolant). Good tip. It turned out to be coolant. Shouda know when I saw it was blue BMW smurf juice. Now I did a search for coolant leaks, but again no luck.

No leaks noticed under the expansion tank or hoses. Pulled the heat sheild for the turbo to get a better look, but not better enough. Everything I can reach and touch is dry. Leak appears to be dripping down the front side of the motor behind the turbo.

Any tips for getting access to look? Anybody had a similar issue?

When is Bentley coming out with a book for the R55s???

 

Sounds like a warranty issue not a maintenance issue, so you should still be covered.

 

It could be your thermostat or thermostat housing. I had issues with my coolant levels going down, and they replaced the thermostat under warranty.

 

I just picked up the MINI at the dealer. All work was covered under warranty. Originally, we thought it was a coolant leak behind the turbo. They thought it was one of the hoses with the banjo fittings. Once they got into it they found that the oil filter housing gasket was leaking both coolant and a little oil. Could have ended up being rather messy. They replaced the gasket set 11 42 7 557 009.

I guess I need to re-read the warranty. Maintenance ended at 3yr/36k, repairs go a bit longer.

I still want/NEED a Bentley book for the R55!

 

There is no Bentley for the R55/56/57 (yet) supposedly they are working on one, but I wouldn't hold your breath. The next best thing you can do is subscribe to minitechinfo.com for $30 per day and access the TIS system for repair information. I bought an eBay set of DVDs with a TIS from '07 that covers the R56 and some of the R55. It has lots of info, but not a heck of a lot since the R56 was just released at that point.