2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Why coolant reservoir is empty?

Discussion in '2nd Generation: 2007+ R55 through R61' started by theateist, Jun 11, 2015.

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  1. theateist

    theateist New Member

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    #1 theateist, Jun 11, 2015
    I have Cooper S 2009 (R56). I noticed that the coolant reservoir is empty. Even after I refilled it it got empty after a few days. I took it to the dealer and they told me that I need to replace the thermostat (the diagnosis was for free). I didn't have any engine check. The interesting thing is that after I returned from the dealer the reservoir didn't empty for at least a week. After a week the level of the liquid decreased to min mark and stays there. It's been already 3 weeks and the level didn't change. Can you suggest what could be the problem? If I have the leak why the water stopped decreasing?
     
  2. ColinGreene

    ColinGreene Well-Known Member
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    #2 ColinGreene, Jun 11, 2015
    hard to say without seeing the car but T stat leaks are common, but the water pump also likes to leak.
     
  3. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    #3 caseydog, Jun 11, 2015
    I have had very few problems with my R56, but three problems have been coolant related. One of them was a water pump gasket, one was a cracked coolant reservoir, and I don't remember what the third one was.

    The only way you can know for sure where you are losing coolant is to have your coolant system pressurized by a reputable tech.

    CD
     
  4. vetsvette

    vetsvette MINI Alliance Ambassador

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    #4 vetsvette, Jun 12, 2015
    If it has the original T-stat you might as well bite the bullet and replace it. I bought the parts and had my local indi shop install it. Figured while he was in there I got him to replace the water pump with a later metal version and installed a new belt. If you list your locality maybe someone can point you to a reputable Independent Mini shop.
     
  5. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    #5 BlimeyCabrio, Jun 12, 2015
    Seems like all the thermostat housings / gaskets on these cars are prone to leak intermittently. The plastic/composite thermostat housing gets hot, warps a little, gasket loses its seal, coolant seeps out under pressure. When the car cools down sometimes it "fixes" itself for a while, then does it again. Fix is a replacement. Until the replacement starts doing it again in a few years. Then another replacement.
     
  6. theateist

    theateist New Member

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    #6 theateist, Jun 12, 2015
    It's not a water pump

    The water pump is on the other side of the engine. So, it's probably like @BlimeyCabrio said - sometimes it "fixes" itself for a while and that's why the coolant is still there:), for a while.
     
  7. Zapski

    Zapski Well-Known Member

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    #7 Zapski, Jun 12, 2015
    Instructions for the thermostat. Looks pretty involved.

    [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek4YJUvZTPc"]Replace R55/R56 MINI Thermostat Housing Cooper S / Clubman S P0597 OBD code - YouTube[/ame]
     
  8. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #8 Crashton, Jun 12, 2015
    Jarvik 7 Heart pump.....
     
  9. Zapski

    Zapski Well-Known Member

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    #9 Zapski, Jun 12, 2015
    [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ars458hcETE"]Robocop - Yamaha Heart Advert Commercial - YouTube[/ame]
     
  10. Piston

    Piston New Member

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    #10 Piston, Jun 12, 2015
    I'm pretty freaked out by the no warning light.

    In my R53 I had all the coolant leak out, but I had a temp gauge in the car to tell me.

    I would give some serious thought to an internal gauge with engine temp (I know I am)
     

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