I got my '06 MCS six days ago and have already leared a lot from this forum!

Now for some of my questions:

1- I found a slight coolant leak twice in the garage after an overnight park and took it in to have that checked out.
I had found out about the thermostat issue and had it noted on the service write up for them to check it.
They pressure tested, examined the bottom of the car, drove it, examined the bottom again, and found nothing-- they said it was "bone dry." *SIGH*
I am keeping an eye on the garage floor---

2- I have an XM unit and the FM modulator sounds like crap since the antenna mount is in the rear. There's no AUX in, no cassette deck, and I dont *think* there is an RCA on the back of the Head Unit. Does anyone have any suggestions? I need to hear my Opie and Anthony!!

3- My second-hand R53 did not come with a rigid cargo cover. I've found a *few* on eBay... I missed one by a few hours that went for 40-ish bucks SHIPPED!! I am not having too much luck finding a used one anywhere else. Any suggestions?

4- I have the run-flats, and I and not sure what the "on board tool kit" should look like or contain. Mine came with a black zipper case with hooks on either end to retain it in the boot. It contains a jack and a lug wrench. I have also seen on eBay another kit that is black with red trim and has some other bits in it.
What tool kit goes with my car and what should it contain?


Thank you so much for any insight or comments! I look forward to spending (wasting?) lots of time here!

Here she is!:

 

Welcome and congrats!

1- I think your garage is just happy that it holds a Mini, if you feel that there is a leak, just keep an eye out for it and if it happens try looking from the bottom up yourself to find the leak. I have found my friends leaking from a weird place on his car and the dealership missed it. It helps looking from a different angle when it's your car(or your friend's) where you will spend much more time searching

4- I went to check my car's black bag and I have what you have. I think that with run flats, you really don't need anything else from what I know. Maybe some one with more knowledge will chime in and help you.


Have fun with your Mini, it's a great car. you will soon start to make up reasons to go out for a drive! Motor on!

 

Hello!

 

1. Is the fluid leak in question green or blue in color? If it is clear and you've been running the AC, it is quite posssible water coming out of the evaporator box, which is normal.

2. A factory AUX input is pretty cheap, uses a mini jack plug and plugs right into the factory head unit. Any Dealer should be able to set you up.

3. Your tool kit should be in a foam square in between the battery and battery box. Your battery is located under the carpeted trunk floor. It should contain a tow hook, a sunroof emergency tool, a screwdriver and a possibly a hubcap removal tool.


HTH, Chad

 

Oh yeah....the cargo cover. There is a difference in between the "S" and the Cooper cover. The "S" has a vent in the top due to the battery being back there, the Cooper of course has no vent. Your probably on the right track to finding one with Ebay. Also, might do a google search for MINI salvage yard.

 

Thank you so much for your informative reply, Chad!

1- yeah, it was def coolant, sucked some up in a syringe and it was blue.

2- Last night I ordered an AUX in kit, my husband will install it for me.

3- I looked in there but didnt see anything-- I will look again for a "foam square." If there isnt one there, I guess I'll look for that on eBay, too?

And the cargo cover-- thanks for the info about the vent. I saw that some had that but I didnt know why! Thanks for that!

Thank you again for the great info!


EDIT: I checked and FOUND the tool kit!! Holy crap is that camoflaged! It just looks like cushioning for the battery! Chad you made my day!

 

Ok, so that is coolant for sure....If they didn't pull the splash shield they may not have caught it so this is what I'd do. Remove the splash shield(3-10mm bolts and 2 phillips screws, also may have a fan duct). Look at the front part of the oil pan and up towards the bottom of the supercharger. You are looking for a leak at the waterpump, which is bolted onto the back of the Supercharger. Hopefully they missed something easier, but if you don't pull the splashshield, you might miss the waterpump leaking.

Glad you've got the other stuff figured out already

 

More than likely the coolant leak is coming from the thermostat housing. I just replaced both the housing andrhe thermostat about a month ago. In actuality, I believe my housing was okay and it was just the gasket hat was bad. It crumbled once I had pulled it out from within the housing. It seems that they only leak at certain times.

 

A couple months ago, my 2006 with 14K miles developed a thermostat leak.

The dealer replaced my thermostat with an updated design under warranty.

My warranty just expired, so you're probably not covered for the same fix if this is your problem : (

 

Perhaps a silly question, but are you 100% the blue stuff is coolant? I had a similar issue, couldn't find a coolant leak anywhere, it ended up being the headlight washer reservoir leaking.

 

My leaked substance is a bit thicker and slightly "gummier" than washer fluid would be... most definitely bright blue, tho!

It's going back in on Tuesday for them to look at it again; it's leaking about a tablespoon overnight.

I will let them know what Chad said about taking off the splash shield.
This is not a MINI shop, they service all cars. My preferance would be to have MINI look at it; but since I am within 30 days of purchase, the place I bought it from won't cover other service shops.

If they dont find anything this time, I will be taking it to MINI.

 

if the fluid is definitely coolant it's either coming from the thermostat or the waterpump which is alot harder to see. the mechanic might have to remove some parts to get a better look at the water pump. usually it is the thermostat tho.
an aux input is pretty easy to install on these cars.
the tool kit is a rectangular shaped foam piece wedged between the battery and the body under the floor in the trunk.
good luck!

 

I't good to see some fun, dancing smiley faces = nice.... very nice..

 

Update:
The shop did all the diagnostics AGAIN and then told me they couldnt find any leak.
I said, "WELL then whats on the floor of my garage every morning?"
He said, "Well, it could be..."
I said, "IT'S COOLANT!!!!!!"

So they sent her to a European specialist shop.
I talked to the mechanic today.
They are waiting for a part from MINI-
IT'S A THERMOSTAT HOUSING GASKET!! BWAAA!!

I told the original shop BOTH times that I took her in to CHECK THAT FIRST!!
ARGH!
Anyways, I have a loaner (2009 Honda Civic 4DR sedan. Rather uninspiring.)
and I expect to have Hamster back tomorrow evening.
The dude at the European shop told me that I am to drive for a week or so after I get her back and keep eye out for leaks cause it it still leaks they will have to replace the head gasket (he has seen that before on an R53)
However the place from where I bought it would cover that.

 

Thanks for the update.