Mini Girl needs advice

[Mini J]

Hi Everyone

I need some advice from all the mini lovers and guru's out there. I have tried my best to Google some results, but it is a bit difficult when I don't know what I am looking for.

I drive a Mini Cooper S R53 2004. She is using way too much water. I have checked for leaks and had the water pipes replaced. Could this be the water pump not working properly maybe pushing water out to the overflow?? Please help, as I probably have this all wrong.

Thank you :rollsmile:

 

[ChefDJ]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Do you have antifreeze in your cooling system? The reason I ask is that if there are any leaks you'll see white spray marks in the engine bay.

Post up some pics of your Mini :=):

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

Hello and welcome!

Where are you based Ms? Best to search for any leaks when the system is under pressure, above that, worst case scenario is cracked head or blown head gasket, that would then see water mixing in with oil and your oil having this white murkiness to it.

 

[Mini J]

Thanks for the reply guys.

Firstly I am really hoping it is not the worst case scenario...would be absolutely bleek!!! What other signs would there be should this be the case?

No, I don't have anti-freeze in, thinking that will be a great start. THANKS!

I am not clued up on cars, but willing to learn, so really appreciate the help. Will post pics soon.

:ty:

 

[Nikhil]

Welcome to the forum :thumbs: Visit Garage 808 from what I hear they do good work and should be able to diagnose the problem for you :thumbs:

 

[ChefDJ]

No, I don't have anti-freeze in, thinking that will be a great start. THANKS!

Winter is coming so get somebody you know who knows how to work on cars to drain the water, and add new water with antifreeze. This is very important. It stops the water from freezing overnight because if your water is frozen it won't circulate to cool the engine when you start it up in the morning.

So get that done, and then you'll see if there are leaks after a drive :thumbs:

 

[Mini J]

Okay so first thing, I will mostly definitely follow your advice and get this done.

Will let you know if the problem clears up.

Thanks guys

 

[Philip Foglar]

I would also recommend Garage 808! Anti-freeze is very important, and I also suggest using normal distilled water (not de-ionised, usually isn't, but just worth mentioning).

Hope you get it sorted out! :thumbs:

 

[DieselFan]

Where are you based in Cape Town?

Sent from Samsung S5

 

[akash]

Saw this on the MINI forum, hope it helps:

"My 2003 Mini Cooper (non-S) uses alot of water, but used to use alot more. Took it to a dealer, and they quoted me thousands for replacing of all sorts of rubbish (most of which had NOTHING to do with the water!) So I decided to take a chance and buy a new pressure cap and try it again. Turns out it was the pressure cap, so I only spent R170 ($20? Not sure...). So after all, pressure cap was shot, raplaced it, worked the bubbles out and now it's much better...but a mate who works for BMW told me it does us a little more water than your average car!"

Is the car overheating?

 

[QikNish]

Simple answer - take it to any reliable workshop and ask them to perform a pressure test on the cooling system. They'll hook up a gadget like a pump with a gauge on it that will show pressure loss..i.e. a leak.

Ask them to quote you first.... so that you're not klapped with an unexpected bill.

 

[moranor@axis]

go to Garage 808 they wont try rip you off... its probably just some or other plastic radiator part that need replacing...

if you dont go to 808 make sure you run 50% BMW coolant in the engine from now on this is not just anti freeze but also stops the water ways of the engine from rusting...

 

[DieselFan]

If you're in the southern suburbs take it to brilliant mechanic workshop. Next to kenilworth centre on garfield road. Northern suburbs go to garage 808

Sent from Samsung S5

 

[Philip Foglar]

Saw this on the MINI forum, hope it helps:

"My 2003 Mini Cooper (non-S) uses alot of water, but used to use alot more. Took it to a dealer, and they quoted me thousands for replacing of all sorts of rubbish (most of which had NOTHING to do with the water!) So I decided to take a chance and buy a new pressure cap and try it again. Turns out it was the pressure cap, so I only spent R170 ($20? Not sure...). So after all, pressure cap was shot, raplaced it, worked the bubbles out and now it's much better...but a mate who works for BMW told me it does us a little more water than your average car!"

Is the car overheating?

Was actually thinking about that! :thumbs:

 

[speeddemon]

Thanks for the reply guys.

Firstly I am really hoping it is not the worst case scenario...would be absolutely bleek!!! What other signs would there be should this be the case?

No, I don't have anti-freeze in, thinking that will be a great start. THANKS!

I am not clued up on cars, but willing to learn, so really appreciate the help. Will post pics soon.

:ty:

Hi...I had the same problem on my 2003 R53...I changed my water bottle cap and then my whole waterbottle and i still had a leak...did a pressure test and found no leaks:blab:
The water kept dissapearing and then a buddy of mine saw the water dripping away slowly from a Tpiece coming from the radiator ....very difficult to see...anyway..try locatiing that Tpiece and see if it's not the same problem that i had.
I replced it and problem is gone...
I had to wait a month for the tpiece from dealer cause nobody stocked them in Sa:flyfun: and it only cost R55.
Hope this helps

 

[Mini J]

Hey guys, thank again for all the help.

I have replaced my water bottle cap before and was also told that Mini's do use more water and oil than regular cars, but still feel that it shouldn't be a noticeable amount more.

My car only overheats when the water is really low, but I check it everyday now.

However last night I saw a constant drip of water coming from somewhere (very difficult to see where in these little things), so I am hoping that it might be the Tpiece like you said Speeddemon.

Any reliable workshops around the Northern Suburbs you guys might know of? How much oil would you say is okay for a mini to use?

Thanks :thumbs:

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

1l very 5,000kms seems to be acceptable apparently.
Also with regards to the water leak, check the expansion tank as well. I know with the BMW's they have a tendency to break a seal on the seam of the expansion tank. You will notice white marks left by the dried water in places.
Run your fingers on the underside of the piping and check for any residue or moisture.
Do it when the car is cold but started though so the system is pressurized.

---

This is a pic of when my expansion tank went.
Quite severe:

 

[Mini J]

1l very 5,000kms seems to be acceptable apparently.
Also with regards to the water leak, check the expansion tank as well. I know with the BMW's they have a tendency to break a seal on the seam of the expansion tank. You will notice white marks left by the dried water in places.
Run your fingers on the underside of the piping and check for any residue or moisture.
Do it when the car is cold but started though so the system is pressurized.

---

This is a pic of when my expansion tank went.
Quite severe:

---

Thanks for the pic, that definitely gives me a good idea what to look for. Also will be doing a pressure test.

 

[Neogenissis]

there is also a "connection piece" behind the motor where the water pipes goes to the interior heater that sometimes fails. its a nightmare to change it. and best of all...its cheap like R200 or something.

 

[Mini J]

Almost everything is a nightmare to fix...confined spaces and all, but will def check that out as well.