I've had my coolant tank out of the car on several occasions fitting an Alta boost tube and then the NM discharge pipe in my 2010 MCS. I noticed the swivel connector going into the bottom of the tank seaped out some fluid as it was twisting back and forth a bit. I haven't noticed any antifreeze on the ground once I cleaned it off and put it back on but I did notice a bit around the silicone elbow on the bottom of the discharge pipe. I'm thinking that was from the initial leak. The connector feels dry. I was going to drain the resevoir tank and pop off the fitting to see if it's a seal problem. Has anyone had any experience removing this tank?

 

are we talking the coolant tank that has to be moved everytime you want to get to the oil filter?

if so I'm guessing it is not much different from the GEN1's, which I've replaced several of, and there is just a simple hose clamp holding a rubber hose to a stem with a ridge. The GEN1 used spring clamps which in my opinion will loosen if they get worked too many times so when I take anything apart that has them I usually replace with either a screw clamp or a strong zip-tie.

My 07S coolant tank gets moved twice a year on average for oil changes and I've not had any leaking there however the tank has not been completely removed from the car

here's a (failed at the seam) GEN1 S tank and it had two hose connections



you see one at the top leading off to the left, this was the overflow hose but you can see what I mean by stem with a lip - the other connection is the same arrangement seen on the bottom of the bottle pointing down

no extra seal . . . just the hose and a simple clamp

 

Yes, that coolant tank. On the bottom there is some sort of elbow piece that swivels on the tank molded fitting. It appears to be some sort of spring type press clamp that holds this in place. I don't know it has an oring seal or not. I will drain the tank and pull it out to check it over.

 

a spring clamp that's lost its spring! nothing special on the bottom of the coolant tank

the elbow is just a molded hose ... moving the tank for oil changes may have sprung the spring

but have fun

 

I didn't lose a spring. It looks as if it's something like a snap ring type that holds the elbow to the tank. It swivels at the tank.

 

I noticed mine leaked a little during an oil change a couple of years ago at the same place, but it was only once. I haven't noticed it in the last 2 oil changes.

 

I started to move my tank to install the same pipe...
When the leak started, i didnt put in my pipe, and instead put the tank back. no more leak... odd piece... I will look at it again and see what happens...
I jsut got the 09 a month n change ago, so if i needed to, i can bring it back to the dealer to get it replaced... but not if i have the aftermarket pipe under it...

 

I have the same thing on my 2011 whenever I have to move the tank for an oil change. Doesn't seem to be leaking though when I put it back in its original position. Did you just replace the clamp to fix it?

 

If you twist it just right, it sometimes seeps a little coolant out. You have to be really bending the hose around with it connected.

Its #5 on the diagram connects to the bottom of the coolant expansion tank. I remember there being a little o-ring and clip on the end of the hose.



Connects to the bottom of the coolant expansion tanks which has a little flange to make the connection.

If you replace the coolant expansion tank just make sure it clips all the way in.


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/17137823626/ES2166017/

 

Just had the dealer double check the system to be safe. Pressure test was normal. They said it will leak by design because the system is normally under pressure, and the seal isn't 100% when the overflow tank is moved and lets a little coolant out as described by ECS Tuning in the above post.

 

Does anyone have the OE part number for the reservoir tank Lower hose? Mine is also seeping a little.

 

Here is the diagram. This is for the N14 Cooper S and JCW engines.



Coolant Pipe - Return Line #5


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11537567849/




-------------------------------------------------------------------


And For the Cooper ( non turbo ) N12 and N16 engines. R55 R56 R57, R58 , R59




Coolant Hose #11


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/17122754573/ES38276/



Thanks and hope that helps.

 

Thanks that is a huge help. This is the part I need. Really only need the plastic elbow but apparently that part can not be purchased by itself. Great price btw on your site. Will be ordering one soon.

 

Your are welcome let me know if you need anything else. I did not know if you had a Cooper or Cooper S / JCW Gen 2 MINI , so I posted up both.

If you have the Cooper S / JCW , you can see it comes with the hardware, but it does not have the cooper washer and the banjo bolt, if you replace the whole line and not just use a section of it , I recommended doing the washer and banjo bolt.
#10 Cooper Gasket ring


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/07119963201/ x 2




and

Hollow Bolt - Priced Each #9

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/07119905973/ES2673307/ x 1



Good luck and your welcome.

 

Thanks for the info. I will just replace the section that has the plastic elbow attached. The rest of the line is in good shape.

 

You are welcome. Good luck with the fix.