Stock Problems/Issues Discussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

What happened to my coolant? Whipped cream!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 09-09-2012, 11:04 AM
scatpack's Avatar
scatpack
scatpack is offline
4th Gear
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Deleware
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Deleted. Thanks

Delete
 

Last edited by scatpack; 04-14-2013 at 04:17 PM.
  #2  
Old 09-09-2012, 12:58 PM
grgramps's Avatar
grgramps
grgramps is offline
4th Gear
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Western NC
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Although it may look like whipped cream or mayonnaise, it's more than likely a mixture of coolant and engine oil.

Have you drained it yet?
 
  #3  
Old 09-09-2012, 01:18 PM
scatpack's Avatar
scatpack
scatpack is offline
4th Gear
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Deleware
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Drained the coolant? No, not yet.

The only way I know of oil getting into coolant is a cracked block... or are you suggesting it got in there when they replaced the balancer?


The car has been running fine since I got it back, its been three weeks.
 
  #4  
Old 09-09-2012, 01:20 PM
scatpack's Avatar
scatpack
scatpack is offline
4th Gear
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Deleware
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Also.. I JUST changed the oil and it looked fine. Black. But fine.
 
  #5  
Old 09-09-2012, 01:27 PM
Eric_Rowland's Avatar
Eric_Rowland
Eric_Rowland is offline
OVERDRIVE
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 13,378
Received 45 Likes on 40 Posts
Whipped cream generally means oil and water. It's often found on the oil cap, but that's usually just water condensing on the top of the valve cover.
Check the dipstick, and it might be worth loosening the front bleed screw (just behind the radiator) and see if the coolant is running clear there.
Could be an anomaly, but definitely worth checking things out. Shouldn't have anything to do with replacing the balancer itself, but if it overheated too much you could have a head gasket issue.
 
  #6  
Old 09-09-2012, 02:51 PM
grgramps's Avatar
grgramps
grgramps is offline
4th Gear
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Western NC
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by scatpack
The only way I know of oil getting into coolant is a cracked block... or are you suggesting it got in there when they replaced the balancer?
The possibilities are endless. It wouldn't be the first time someone put something into the wrong hole.

A coolant change is one of the less expensive things we do for our cars, so if it hasn't been done recently, you might find it worthwhile. Also, take the opportunity to remove the coolant reservoir tank and clean it. For the present, I don't see anything alarming, yet it would get my attention.

Let's hope that others reading this thread will get the idea that checking things under the bonnet is a good thing to do.
 
  #7  
Old 09-09-2012, 05:35 PM
scatpack's Avatar
scatpack
scatpack is offline
4th Gear
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Deleware
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I flushed it and refilled it. Lets see what happens. ...
 
  #8  
Old 09-13-2012, 03:13 PM
Keyser_Soze's Avatar
Keyser_Soze
Keyser_Soze is offline
3rd Gear
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: a little south of HELL...
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Could be a cracked block, but more likely is a blown head gasket or potentially a warped head... Has the car seriously overheated anytime in the past?
 
  #9  
Old 09-14-2012, 04:39 PM
NC TRACKRAT's Avatar
NC TRACKRAT
NC TRACKRAT is offline
6th Gear
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 1,570
Received 232 Likes on 169 Posts
My bet is on the individual who did the thermostat change. It may have been on a Monday, he could've been hung over and added oil to the expansion tank instead of coolant!
 
  #10  
Old 09-17-2012, 09:52 AM
PelicanParts.com's Avatar
PelicanParts.com
PelicanParts.com is online now
Vendor
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Harbor City, CA
Posts: 7,187
Received 62 Likes on 59 Posts
Originally Posted by scatpack
I flushed it and refilled it. Lets see what happens. ...
Any difference after a week?
 
__________________
Your Trusted Source For DIY and Parts
FREE SHIPPING over $99 click here
MINI Parts | DIY Help | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Promos
888.280.7799 | 6am - 5pm PST
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Camden90240
R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+)
12
09-28-2020 12:09 PM
sempaipaul
MINI Parts for Sale
10
10-26-2015 05:56 PM
user 739030
MINI Owners of New Jersey (MONJ)
3
09-16-2015 06:03 PM
Sc00terbum
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
2
09-11-2015 09:07 AM
mimaal
R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+)
7
09-04-2015 09:09 AM



Quick Reply: What happened to my coolant? Whipped cream!



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:12 PM.