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Post by Boxer6 on Jul 29, 2017 19:22:32 GMT
You may remember my daughter and her boyfriend bought a R50 (I think - 2007 model) MINI Cooper last year which, so far, has been relatively reliable. They had to get a new alternator late last year, but IIRC they managed to get it done under warranty.
Visiting her last night she mentioned that they have to top up with water quite often, though there apparently is no obvious leak when they've looked Not sure how often they need to refill the radiator/header, but often enough now to be a bit of a pain, I gather. The only thing I could think of to ask was about the heater, which is apparently working as it should; rules out head gasket to me, which was my first (and only!) thought other than a leak of some sort.
Anyone else have knowledge of these engines (1600 petrol) and what may be wrong?
Ta in advance.
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Post by ChrisM on Jul 29, 2017 19:52:16 GMT
A common issue on several modern cars is the thermostat housing leaking - many are now made of plastic or composite material which does not seem up to the job. A simple cooling system pressure test at a garage should identify any leak within a few minutes (and should be non-chargeable if you give them to work to fix it)
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Post by Boxer6 on Jul 29, 2017 20:28:14 GMT
A common issue on several modern cars is the thermostat housing leaking - many are now made of plastic or composite material which does not seem up to the job. A simple cooling system pressure test at a garage should identify any leak within a few minutes (and should be non-chargeable if you give them to work to fix it) Cheers Chris. I'll pass that on. They're on a pretty tight budget, as many young couples are these days I guess, so it anything that saves a few pennies is a bonus. |
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Post by Tim on Jul 31, 2017 9:51:42 GMT
On a tight budget = Radweld
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Post by grampa on Jul 31, 2017 10:34:19 GMT
One make forums can be incredibly boring, but on the other hand incredibly useful when you want to get to the bottom of a problem - I've found this place helpful on a cripple of occasions: www.mini2.com/forum/Their Mini, if a 2007 (unless a convertible or very old stock sold as new in 2007) is an R56. |
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Post by Boxer6 on Jul 31, 2017 21:35:23 GMT
One make forums can be incredibly boring, but on the other hand incredibly useful when you want to get to the bottom of a problem - I've found this place helpful on a cripple of occasions: www.mini2.com/forum/Their Mini, if a 2007 (unless a convertible or very old stock sold as new in 2007) is an R56. Thanks for the link Andrew; I shall have a wee peruse when I've a bit more time. The car was first registered on 12th September 2007 - exactly a year before my Legacy - and, having googled it properly, is indeed an R56. |
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Post by grampa on Aug 1, 2017 9:10:45 GMT
I wasn't suggesting anything as mind-numbing as searching through that forum - I've used it a couple of times - just ask the question and you'll soon get some really helpful geeks rushing to your aid.
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Post by Roadsterstu on Aug 4, 2017 8:12:23 GMT
Hopefully not the head gasket.
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Post by Boxer6 on Aug 4, 2017 11:18:53 GMT
Hopefully not the head gasket. That was my first thought, but no heater issues that I would associate with head gasket failure as I said before.
Apparently they can live with it at the moment; wouldn't be me I don't think, but they're on a fairly tight budget and don't do a lot of miles. Their call.
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Post by johnc on Aug 4, 2017 11:56:43 GMT
The low coolant light came on in my car about a month ago. I checked and found some service monkey had left the top of the header tank on by less than half a turn which will easily allow a loss of pressure and fluid when really hot. When properly tightened the cap needs several full turns.
I know they are topping it up regularly but are they fully tightening the lid? |
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Post by Boxer6 on Aug 4, 2017 20:36:20 GMT
The low coolant light came on in my car about a month ago. I checked and found some service monkey had left the top of the header tank on by less than half a turn which will easily allow a loss of pressure and fluid when really hot. When properly tightened the cap needs several full turns.
I know they are topping it up regularly but are they fully tightening the lid? Good question John; I shall mention it when I message her later. |
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Post by Roadsterstu on Aug 6, 2017 11:37:26 GMT
Are they topping it up with the right antifreeze/water mix? Or just water?
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Post by Boxer6 on Aug 6, 2017 18:08:58 GMT
Are they topping it up with the right antifreeze/water mix? Or just water? Good point; added to the list! |
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Post by Boxer6 on Dec 12, 2017 18:44:50 GMT
Meant to update this thread the other week when I was talking to my daughter about it.
In short, it's cured! I'm not sure I understand it at all, not knowing the layout of MINI engines, but they bit the bullet and took the car to a dealer who diagnosed a broken clutch cable clamp, or bracket, which allowed the cable to somehow cause a leak to occur when driven at any speed for a sustained period. Problem is, daughter is not at all mechanically minded, and boyfriend was out - not that his knowledge is much better!
Still, it's fixed, didn't cost a full arm or leg and they're happy. Job jobbed.
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