Where is my coolant going
#1
Where is my coolant going
Seems every time I check the bottle on my son's mini, I have to add coolant. Not much, but, it concerns me.
Oil level stays put, nothing on the garage floor, no white smoke.
I'm confused. I check it before we start it in the morning.
Running great. What the heck?
Oil level stays put, nothing on the garage floor, no white smoke.
I'm confused. I check it before we start it in the morning.
Running great. What the heck?
#3
Am I checking the level at the right time, in the morning, before she's run?
#4
Yup...when cold...and to eleborate...
When the tank leaks, a fine pinhole of steam normally comes out along the seam...it worsens overtime...
The gasket (integrated with the thermostat) and or thermostat housing can leak...again...tiny abounts...can be blown back or disappear...
And after 10+ years, the plastic which is heat set to the center core of the radiator can crack and leak...common on all makes/models using this newer style radiator....
Sounds like it is minor enough to keep an eye on it for a bit...wait for it to worsen...
When the tank leaks, a fine pinhole of steam normally comes out along the seam...it worsens overtime...
The gasket (integrated with the thermostat) and or thermostat housing can leak...again...tiny abounts...can be blown back or disappear...
And after 10+ years, the plastic which is heat set to the center core of the radiator can crack and leak...common on all makes/models using this newer style radiator....
Sounds like it is minor enough to keep an eye on it for a bit...wait for it to worsen...
#6
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#8
#9
As stated the tank and thermostat housing are the most common leak areas. The thermostat housing/gasket leak is sometimes hard to spot. I only noticed mine thermostat leak when I saw small puddles on the garage floor in the morning. Use a flashlight to look around the thermostat housing. Look for coolant puddling in low spots or white residue from dried coolant.
#12
Mine was recently losing coolant too. I couldn't tell where it was going, and the dash gauge didn't indicate it was overheating. A couple weekends ago (after driving and then sitting idling in the driveway) I heard a boiling sound...popped the hood and noticed it was boiling over and coming out of the reservoir. I did a lot of trouble shooting trying to figure it out. Long story short; it was a bad radiator cap. It was ~$5 from the local auto parts store. Maybe not a common problem, but probably one of the cheapest/easiest fixed.
#14
Traildog,
Mine did the same thing and turned out initially to need only a new cap. I'd try that and see what happens.
Greg
Mine did the same thing and turned out initially to need only a new cap. I'd try that and see what happens.
Greg
#15
![Confused](https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
#16
cap
My cap appeared fine and was tight also (06 MCS) but slowly noticed some faint white residue forming atop of the nearest heat shield. Replaced the cap for under $20 and that fixed it.
Greg
Greg
#18
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#20
Head gasket
Sorry to hear that but search this forum for 'head gasket' and you'll find several postings that will help.
Greg
#21
Boy, you're not kidding..... head gaskets must be kind of normal on high mileage MINIs.
We love the car, so, we're gonna fix it. 170K and many more to go we hope!
#22
Head gasket
Looking for another one even if it needs serious work.
Greg
#23
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