2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Coolant Warning Lamp came on

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  1. Tron Chief

    Tron Chief "Need More Coffee"
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    #25 Tron Chief, Oct 6, 2012
    Sir Francis Bacon said many years ago "Knowledge is Power" and with this in mind I would advise any new MINI owner to seek out advice on this site. Many of us have owned MINI's for several years, different makes models etc. Some of us are into modifying our cars some way more then others. Some of us work on our own cars while others rely only on others to do the wrenching on their cars. Occupations of owners go from Military to Lawyers, Doctors to Mechanics with several of the Mechanics being MINI specific. Bluejae take the time to read and ask the questions, get involved with a local club and you will find like many of us have that knowing the little things about our cars can and will make the difference between just driving and having FUN. :biggrin5:
     
  2. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #14 Metalman, Oct 1, 2012
    Why would adding a little Frenchman to the coolant tank be a good thing??
     
  3. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #4 Nathan, Oct 1, 2012
    A 2007 with 50k Miles and an unknown service history then it seems.

    I'd opt for a flush and fill just to be proactive.
     
  4. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #8 Nathan, Oct 1, 2012
    I'm sorry, your Service Adviser is just plain wrong about a lifetime fill on the coolant.

    Inspection 2 (Major service)

    Includes services from Oil Change and Inspection 1 plus: change Air Filter, Engine Coolant, flush Brake fluid, and mileage. Model dependent add on's include: Spark Plugs (100K), Belt change (100k cooper 60K S) and Oxygen Sensor (100K).

    Besides, these "lifetime" fill items that MINI claims to have is a fallacy if you want to keep the car for some time.
     
  5. AnsonIvan

    AnsonIvan Local Shop Owner

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    #17 AnsonIvan, Oct 2, 2012
    There is no coolant level sensor on your car bluejae, you are likely seeing a coolant temperature warning. I would recommend having the car looked at by either the dealer or an indy shop with mini specific experience.
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #24 Crashton, Oct 5, 2012
    Good luck with your repair. I'm sure they will do a good job for you & getting a loaner is very nice. Let us know how it goes.
     
  7. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #2 Nathan, Oct 1, 2012
    Can we get some more info please?

    What year?

    What Model?

    How many miles?

    Ever have it flushed before?
     
  8. bluejae

    bluejae New Member

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    #3 bluejae, Oct 1, 2012
    i'm not sure. bought it used... serviced at dealership while i had it...
     
  9. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    #5 BThayer23, Oct 1, 2012
    Sounds like a good idea. Recommended maintenance interval on coolant is two years, especially with MINI's aluminum engine parts.
     
  10. bluejae

    bluejae New Member

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    #6 bluejae, Oct 1, 2012
    i called the dealership with my vin and talked to the service center to see if they can tell me anything...

    they said it was never brought in to have coolant serviced... i also read in a manual that the service is usually tracked by the key when needed... i guess since the 2007 doesn't have a gauge...

    he also mentioned that it has lifetime coolant... and it's very long lasting... like nothing would need to be done until about 100k-150k if at all...

    and he suggested that i may have a coolant leak and to check for that... otherwise, just fill it up with coolant... he said the light on the dash means coolant low
     
  11. bluejae

    bluejae New Member

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    #7 bluejae, Oct 1, 2012
    is there an alternative to using the coolant purchased from the dealership?

    maybe i can find it at a nearby autozone or something
     
  12. bluejae

    bluejae New Member

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    #9 bluejae, Oct 1, 2012
    my plan is to take it to the dealer this week sometime, but i'm worried about the coolant warning... will it be ok for a few days of driving to and from work? or should i top the coolant off...
     
  13. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #10 Nathan, Oct 1, 2012
    Get some distilled water from the drug store and top it off.

    Where do you live, there may be a better alternative than the dealer around.
     
  14. bluejae

    bluejae New Member

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    #11 bluejae, Oct 1, 2012
    thank you for your advice...

    is it a matter of locating the coolant tank, and removing the cap, fill it up to max, and close the cap? and also to make sure the engine is cool
     
  15. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #12 Crashton, Oct 1, 2012
    Don't drive it low on coolant. Add water to bring it up. Distilled is good. Perrier is better. :wink:
     
  16. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #13 Crashton, Oct 1, 2012
    Open the hood. The coolant tank is a clear plastic bottle with a black cap. It is in front on the right hand side as you face the car. Do not take the cap off with the engine hot.
     
  17. Onramp

    Onramp Enjoy the Hiways of Life!
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    #15 Onramp, Oct 1, 2012
    There are marks on the coolant tank - Full hot and full cold. I've always waited until everything was "cold" before opening the tank.
     
  18. bluejae

    bluejae New Member

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    #16 bluejae, Oct 2, 2012
    after work yesterday, i checked the coolant level since the engine wasn't hot... it was a little difficult to see the line so i gave the container a few taps to see if i can see the moving liquid... that's when i was able to see that it was a little below the halfway point between min and max...

    afterward i drove the car home and the light never came on... this morning i drove to work... and the light didn't come back again... definitely strange...

    i'm located in dallas, tx. i feel a little bit better since the warning lamp isn't on anymore... but unless someone suggests something better, i'll be getting some distilled water and fill it up to max today.
     
  19. bluejae

    bluejae New Member

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    #18 bluejae, Oct 2, 2012
    i called to set an appointment yesterday for the 4th... so we'll see
     
  20. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #19 Dave.0, Oct 2, 2012
    Remember overheating is a DEATH SENTENCE for any motor.

    Keep an eye on it and get it taken care of soon.

    Oh and the dealership saying "lifetime fill on the coolant" really means when your 5 year loan is up you trade it in for a new one. :lol::lol::lol::lol:
     
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