Engine Coolant
#3
While Mini does use a special coolant...
it's not that special. Get any phosphate free antifreeze and you'll be fine.
A bottle or two of Water Wetter or equivalent is a good idea too!
If you're really ballsy, check out the Evans cooling products. Gets rid of the water, the thermostat, and the pressure cap!
Matt
A bottle or two of Water Wetter or equivalent is a good idea too!
If you're really ballsy, check out the Evans cooling products. Gets rid of the water, the thermostat, and the pressure cap!
Matt
#5
Water Wetter is available from Redline Oil. It enhances the heat transfer capabilities of the antifreeze. http://www.redlineoil.com/products_coolant.asp
Dr. O, have you actually checked with MINI about the use of a different brand of anti-freeze?
Dr. O, have you actually checked with MINI about the use of a different brand of anti-freeze?
#6
No, but....
Water Wetter is available from Redline Oil. It enhances the heat transfer capabilities of the antifreeze. http://www.redlineoil.com/products_coolant.asp
Dr. O, have you actually checked with MINI about the use of a different brand of anti-freeze?
Dr. O, have you actually checked with MINI about the use of a different brand of anti-freeze?
Also, remember what a lot of Mini dealerships said about oil. Only Castrol, nothing else....
Matt
#7
Sorry, that sounds like so much Whooeey to me. Nearly everything on the MINI is "special, sold only at the dealership". That enables them to charge BMW prices or whatever. I will go original until the warranty is up, then go to whatever I choose. Some stuff the engineers design are special, otherwise its just gouging (sp?).:impatient BTW, does anyone know what the protection level is from the factory? I used to have one of those coolant checkers but its lost, besides it wasn't "special, sold only by the MINI dealership" so I couldn't have used it anyway!
Trending Topics
#9
#10
#11
#12
Coolant silicates
I used Prestone All Makes All Models.
Remember, this engine is a BMW/Chrysler joint venture. It's used in some other Chryslers in Europe. There is no special coolant, just make sure it is silicate and phosphate free like the manual says. Water Wetter is a good addition as well.
Remember, this engine is a BMW/Chrysler joint venture. It's used in some other Chryslers in Europe. There is no special coolant, just make sure it is silicate and phosphate free like the manual says. Water Wetter is a good addition as well.
Funny thing about the silicates. Both BMW and Mini coolant list silicates as ingredients on the jug! Yet you are not supposed to use silicates
#13
What you are looking for is called G-05 . Take a look at this pdf link.
http://www.valvoline.com/zerex/pdf/Z...olantChart.pdf
All major brands feature this HOAT chemistry. Scroll down for a more detailed view
Paul
http://www.valvoline.com/zerex/pdf/Z...olantChart.pdf
All major brands feature this HOAT chemistry. Scroll down for a more detailed view
Paul
#14
Gizzer, it is unfortunate that you sold the MINI due to all of the reports. I think NAM and the internet in general make it sound a lot worse than it really is (meaning you hear about the few when thousands are doing well).
It is also a shame that everything is becoming so technical that only rocket scientists will know what to do under a bonnet (or hood). I read the manual, read the antifreeze product bottles, and went with Prestone. Of course, I wouldn't have had to if the coolant bottle hadn't split and spewn the coolant all over the place.
It is also a shame that everything is becoming so technical that only rocket scientists will know what to do under a bonnet (or hood). I read the manual, read the antifreeze product bottles, and went with Prestone. Of course, I wouldn't have had to if the coolant bottle hadn't split and spewn the coolant all over the place.
#15
What you are looking for is called G-05 . Take a look at this pdf link.
http://www.valvoline.com/zerex/pdf/Z...olantChart.pdf
All major brands feature this HOAT chemistry. Scroll down for a more detailed view
Paul
http://www.valvoline.com/zerex/pdf/Z...olantChart.pdf
All major brands feature this HOAT chemistry. Scroll down for a more detailed view
Paul
#17
I just bought two bottles of MINI antifreeze and noticed that it has a blue tint to it. Popped open the coolant reserve bottle on the Mini and the coolant has more of a orange/tan tint to it. Coolant hasn't been changed or flushed out to my knowledge. What color is the coolant in your Mini?
#18
Not sure but
I just bought two bottles of MINI antifreeze and noticed that it has a blue tint to it. Popped open the coolant reserve bottle on the Mini and the coolant has more of a orange/tan tint to it. Coolant hasn't been changed or flushed out to my knowledge. What color is the coolant in your Mini?
Mini says it is normal but on my ex MCS the protection levels dropped to -25 ...spec is -37. Mini refused to do anything and said the TSB I quoted did not exist.
I had the system flushed and the garbage that came out was unlike anything I had ever seen...sediment galore. (pressure checked good) We used a Vacufill machine that does everything under vacuum and it took 3 fresh water flushes to get the water to run clean. Mine was a 2004 with 20k miles on it. I do not think it is the color that matters as dyes do break down...but I would never use coolant for more than 2-3 yrs...Just my 2 cents
BTW: the coolant I picked up from BMW was also a deep blue in color. A few months later I sold my Mini....
#20
Mini says
I agree...MINI says every 4 years! more of that extended service stuff....no thanks. It was a good thing I did it last august because we had really frigid conditions here a month ago. Even though I was selling...I felt more comfortable!
#21
AntiFreeze Color
I just bought two bottles of MINI antifreeze and noticed that it has a blue tint to it. Popped open the coolant reserve bottle on the Mini and the coolant has more of a orange/tan tint to it. Coolant hasn't been changed or flushed out to my knowledge. What color is the coolant in your Mini?
I'll probably go ahead and do a flush when I get the new thermostat (180degree) that I want to use for the hot and humid SouthEast summers.
Recently purchased Prestone and distilled water to go ahead and get it done. Waiting on the thermostat ......
#23
coolant color
One of the reasons I posted this thread is because I'd noticed that the coolant in my Mini was blue. Hadnt seen that before. I'm use to the green color. I like to keep oil and coolant on hand, just in case I need to add. Especially since the closest dealership is a couple hours away.
#24
#25