Car overheating, coolant on road
#1
Car overheating, coolant on road
2011 Mini Cooper S, 67,000 miles. R56, N18
So I am driving my car today (about 30mins) and after I stop and come off the highway to the light I see light smoke coming off the hood. I immediately stop my vehicle. Restart it after the light and drive it to the next gas station. I pull it over and:
So I am driving my car today (about 30mins) and after I stop and come off the highway to the light I see light smoke coming off the hood. I immediately stop my vehicle. Restart it after the light and drive it to the next gas station. I pull it over and:
- The coolant reservoir is empty.
- There is coolant sprayed in the engine bay on the right hand side.
- I get some water fill the cooling reservoir and it seems to mostly pour out of the first hose near the oil filter but in general I can't tell where it is coming out from?
- Car starts and runs fine.
- Towed the car home and when I got home I see a little bit of coolant on the floor of my garage (about 1/8 of a cup or less) so it apparently was leaking when I started the car up and drove it to work this morning. It is aggravating that this stupid car can't sense and warn there is no water pressure with the car at temperature. If the car was smoking, it had to be overheating at least a little bit. I love the car but it is like a moron designed most of it. lol
- I never got a dash light.
- I never got an overheat light.
- I ran a computer check and I don't even see any codes thrown.
#2
Thermostat. Or crossover tube. You’ll be replacing them as a pair anyway. On a related note might want to do the pump too since it too is a lot of plastic. Other item near oil housing is the temp sensor. Might have sprung a leak. Last item would be the oil filter housing thing. Check to make sure that seal isn’t bad and coolant is getting in oil.
the thermostats go differently. Ours just started leaking more and more one month.
could have been seeping a while as the trans catches a LOT and can burn off most.
the stat is under the fresh air intake tube above trans. It looks like a heart with like 7 tubes clamped to it. Royal PITA.
the thermostats go differently. Ours just started leaking more and more one month.
could have been seeping a while as the trans catches a LOT and can burn off most.
the stat is under the fresh air intake tube above trans. It looks like a heart with like 7 tubes clamped to it. Royal PITA.
Last edited by iwashmycar; 03-06-2020 at 04:58 PM.
#3
Thermostat. Or crossover tube. You’ll be replacing them as a pair anyway. On a related note might want to do the pump too since it too is a lot of plastic. Other item near oil housing is the temp sensor. Might have sprung a leak. Last item would be the oil filter housing thing. Check to make sure that seal isn’t bad and coolant is getting in oil.
the thermostats go differently. Ours just started leaking more and more one month.
could have been seeping a while as the trans catches a LOT and can burn off most.
the stat is under the fresh air intake tube above trans. It looks like a heart with like 7 tubes clamped to it. Royal PITA.
the thermostats go differently. Ours just started leaking more and more one month.
could have been seeping a while as the trans catches a LOT and can burn off most.
the stat is under the fresh air intake tube above trans. It looks like a heart with like 7 tubes clamped to it. Royal PITA.
Is the cross-over tube the thing that requires removing the intake manifold to get to ? I'm not sure I want to really replace that do I?
#4
Most likely the temp sensor in the radiator hose controlling the thermostat (is on the right side near the oil filter). My 2012 is leaking there. The bummer is MINI no longer makes/sells that sensor. You have to replace the thermostat housing (which now contains the temp sensor) and the radiator hose.
#5
Initially, cars were fitted with a thermostat housing that had no seperate access to the (integrated) temperature sensor. At some point they switched over to housings allowing separate access to the temperature sensor and used the new variant also when the original thermostat housings had to be replaced for any reason (thermostat malfunction, temp sensor malfunction, leakage). A wire adapter is required in such a case to accomodate the different wire connections of the two variants.
My non-S R 56 LCI manufactured in November 2010 had the original housing from factory. When the temp sensor failed in 2017, BMW Germany replaced it with the new variant with individually replaceable temp sensor.
Aftermarket housings may be of either of the two variants, buyers should (imho) insist on getting the new one along with the wire adapter.
#6
For example, is this the new one or the old one. IT looks like the sensor comes off so I presume this is the new one?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-THERMOSTAT-HOUSING-AND-GASKET-FOR-07-13-MINI-COOPER-R55-R56-R57-11537534521/302036990695?fits=Year%3A2011%7CModel%3ACooper%7CM ake%3AMini&hash=item4652cebae7:gPQAAOSwFpVcbRUT
I'm guessing this is a picture of the temp sensor.
Last edited by mini-is-for-me; 03-07-2020 at 12:24 PM.
#7
Trending Topics
#8
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...&q=11538699290
For more detail, including the part number of the required adapter:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=11_4551
Correct, though the part number shown is of the original, superseded version. Buy the seller!
#9
AZdsrt probably meant that the temp sensor failed, allowing the closed coolant system to reach higher than specified temperatures/pressures and eventually rupturing at the weakest points. Whether or not that is probable I don't know, the thermostat may well be designed to open at a certain temperature/pressure by itself and independently of any command by the ECU.
#10
had something similar of '15 R59 recently. Saw some coolant on the garage floor and found resiv' down so topped it up and made appointment with dealer (warranty) assuming it was thermostat.
TURNED OUT TO BE "full flow oil filter housing gaskets leaking (coolant side)"
not an easy one either ....
so b4 you start ordering parts . . .
#############################
p.s. if you are not original owner note there is a 'limited warranty extension' for the thermostat housing with thermostat .... extension is 10 years / 120,000 miles. Applies to SOME VIN .. not all. 800-831-1117 reference M-ELWR 2018. I got my letter April 2018
TURNED OUT TO BE "full flow oil filter housing gaskets leaking (coolant side)"
not an easy one either ....
so b4 you start ordering parts . . .
#############################
p.s. if you are not original owner note there is a 'limited warranty extension' for the thermostat housing with thermostat .... extension is 10 years / 120,000 miles. Applies to SOME VIN .. not all. 800-831-1117 reference M-ELWR 2018. I got my letter April 2018
Last edited by Capt_bj; 03-07-2020 at 01:27 PM.
#11
TURNED OUT TO BE "full flow oil filter housing gaskets leaking (coolant side)"
#############################
p.s. if you are not original owner note there is a 'limited warranty extension' for the thermostat housing with thermostat .... extension is 10 years / 120,000 miles. Applies to SOME VIN .. not all. 800-831-1117 reference M-ELWR 2018. I got my letter April 2018
I had contacted Mini before to find out what was extended and this is what they told me.
#12
I don't think this is my car. I have a Mini Cooper S. This is my car here-->
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=11_4551
However, this is beyond confusing since you are right it lists 4 part #s, 2 that have ended. I don't see where you can just get the thermostat though. Part# looks to now be:
And I would need this thermostat adapter?
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/12518611289/
Ebay version: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Thermostat-...sAAOSwcs1b6nMF
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=11_4551
However, this is beyond confusing since you are right it lists 4 part #s, 2 that have ended. I don't see where you can just get the thermostat though. Part# looks to now be:
11538674895
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/11538674895/And I would need this thermostat adapter?
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/12518611289/
Ebay version: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Thermostat-...sAAOSwcs1b6nMF
Last edited by mini-is-for-me; 03-07-2020 at 01:52 PM.
#13
why does coolant route thru the oil filter mount? NO IDEA ... but it does! That's what they replaced and my leak is gone ... and they were not in the LEAST bit surprised ... it is a common issue. If you have coolant ... it is under pressure when the engine is hot .... that's just how things work.
#14
why does coolant route thru the oil filter mount? NO IDEA ... but it does! That's what they replaced and my leak is gone ... and they were not in the LEAST bit surprised ... it is a common issue. If you have coolant ... it is under pressure when the engine is hot .... that's just how things work.
#16
AZdsrt probably meant that the temp sensor failed, allowing the closed coolant system to reach higher than specified temperatures/pressures and eventually rupturing at the weakest points. Whether or not that is probable I don't know, the thermostat may well be designed to open at a certain temperature/pressure by itself and independently of any command by the ECU.
#17
2011 Mini Cooper S, 67,000 miles. R56, N18
So I am driving my car today (about 30mins) and after I stop and come off the highway to the light I see light smoke coming off the hood. I immediately stop my vehicle. Restart it after the light and drive it to the next gas station. I pull it over and:
So I am driving my car today (about 30mins) and after I stop and come off the highway to the light I see light smoke coming off the hood. I immediately stop my vehicle. Restart it after the light and drive it to the next gas station. I pull it over and:
- The coolant reservoir is empty.
- There is coolant sprayed in the engine bay on the right hand side. Passenger side coolant leaks are a dead giveaway for either a) water pump (can be replaced for ~$40), b) water pipe gasket between the pump and water pipe, and/or c) water pipe. It's definitely worth replacing all three at once since you don't want to have to tear into there again if just replacing the water pump doesn't solve your problem. Crazily, the water pipe (the tube that runs from your thermostat to your water pump) costs about twice as much as the actual pump itself.
- I get some water fill the cooling reservoir and it seems to mostly pour out of the first hose near the oil filter but in general I can't tell where it is coming out from? This sounds like leak #2 to me. The coolant reservoir is notorious for leaking right at the base where the hose is clamped. This is because you have to roll it out of the way regularly to get to the oil filter housing to change the filter during an oil service. I would investigate to see if the clamp is still tight or if the hose may be cracked.
- Car starts and runs fine.
- Towed the car home and when I got home I see a little bit of coolant on the floor of my garage (about 1/8 of a cup or less) so it apparently was leaking when I started the car up and drove it to work this morning. It is aggravating that this stupid car can't sense and warn there is no water pressure with the car at temperature. If the car was smoking, it had to be overheating at least a little bit. I love the car but it is like a moron designed most of it. lol
- I never got a dash light. I suspect that it's not your thermostat with no CELs. But it'll be a lot easier to evaluate once you have the airbox and intake manifold off if you're changing your water pump. Look for cracks in the thermostat housing or evidence of a leaky gasket where it mounts, or where the water pipe connects.
- Similarly, I doubt that it is your oil filter housing gasket unless you can definitely see evidence of that. The oil filter housing has a little heat exchanger on the side of it that heat exchanges the oil with coolant. It's always possible that either of the four gaskets (that's how many on my '09) between the oil filter housing and the heat exchanger has failed. Evidence would be coolant leaking right on top of your transmission housing.
- I never got an overheat light.
- I ran a computer check and I don't even see any codes thrown.
#18
I can see the coolant is all leaking over the transmission and is coming out roughly in the middle left (driver) side of bottom. I don't see any coolant coming out of the passenger side of engine.
It is an absolute mess of pipes, wires and hoses down there so I really can't see much of anything even after removing stuff.
I don't even see the bleed screw that is supposed to be above the thermostat housing to try and orient myself.
It is an absolute mess of pipes, wires and hoses down there so I really can't see much of anything even after removing stuff.
I don't even see the bleed screw that is supposed to be above the thermostat housing to try and orient myself.
#19
#20
Also, I’m making a very American assumption that your car is left-hand drive. Sorry if that’s not the case.
I had a hard time finding the bleed screw the first time also. It’s just black plastic like the rest of the thermostat. But it’s right on top and you can reach it with a long screwdriver without moving anything. Use a really bright light and you’ll probably find it. Once you find it, it’s hard to forget where it is.
You might try looking at a picture of the thermostat at Realoem.com. I think it might indicate where the bleed screw is.
Message me if I can help you troubleshoot some more.
#21
The only reason I mentioned the water pump is you said the leak was evident on the right side of the engine, by which I thought you meant the passenger side. If your leak is in the drivers side, it could be your thermostat, or your oil filter housing gasket ( possible culprits).
Also, I’m making a very American assumption that your car is left-hand drive. Sorry if that’s not the case.
Message me if I can help you troubleshoot some more.
Also, I’m making a very American assumption that your car is left-hand drive. Sorry if that’s not the case.
Message me if I can help you troubleshoot some more.
The hose at the bottom of the expansion tank certainly doesn't look right and I now there was a small amount of coolant leaking there the last time I changed the oil. Has anyone found a way to fix that yet with a quick-disconnect or something?
#22
The hose at the bottom get alot of use. We found this short piece can be swapped out so you dont have to get the whole hose set. Just replace it. From oil changes all the time they get stressed.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...onnection.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...onnection.html
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Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
#24
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
#25
I am 100% sure this was leaking a tiny bit off coolant the last time I changed the oil but it stopped. I wonder if the coolant got below this point and every time it heated back up and expanded it came out of the hose there?
It could be heat sensitive. Rubber expands and gets more pliable and leak prone when it gets hot...that is the problem.