So I was away for about 10 days w/o the Mini. When I got home today I took the Mini to run some errands. When I pull back into the garage I notice a big wet spot right where the front right of the Mini would have been. When I look closer it's a clear liquid, but oily (see photos) Is this coolant? I'm trying to figure out how check the level, and what to replace it with. And what about driving it? I didn't get any warning lights when I drove it this evening for about an hour. I am getting a warning for light out, so changing out a fog lamp is next on the list. Thanks for any advice, etc. - Ed and If the photos don't work you can see them here
Is there a blueish tint? If so that would be coolant and due to the volume that would be my first guess. If it was brake fluid you would have known on the drive today. Another possibility is windshield washer fluid. I'd check all those levels and top them off if need be. Oil would be dark and so would transmission fluid. Power Steering would be reddish. Hence I am counting them out.
Thanks for the help, based on further examination I'm pretty sure it's coolant, now to figure out why it's leaking. Once the engine cooled off a bit I checked and the coolant level is low, just about to the bottom of the container, and what's left has the same look and feel of what's on the floor. I also switched the car around to see if it was still leaking, and now there's a new drip - right front of the car. Since the reservoir is on the left I'm not sure what's leaking. I'll call the dealer tomorrow AM. The annoying part is that after 10 days without the Mini, now I can't drive it
Ok, so at the track this weekend I learned a lot about coolant reservoirs. 1-most of the time they're overfilled and that's bad 2-driving a car hard with too much coolant = overboiling after you've shut it off 3- most people freak out when vapor escapes bonnet after a track session. sooo, that said you might have a leak, but keep the coolant at the minimum mark, otherwise there is not enough room for expansion and things explode. Be aware that most dealers overfill too. Hope it's a loose hose and nothing major!
I'd say there's more than a good chance it's a leaking thermostat. Second idea is leaking heater core. Good luck with the fix. See also a similar account here: http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/cooper-s/5759-whats-going.html
Coolant smells sweat. Have your system pressure check if you feel it is coolant. Clear is most likely hydraulic fluid,i.e. power steering, brake,engine mount or even A/C Compressor. As mention you would have most likely been aware of of these with a warning light, noise, or hard steering? Because it is on the front right passenger side of the engine bay the best thoughts to be coolant.
Don't post much here...but been here quite awhile...anyways: Had the exact same thing on my 2010 with about 3500 miles on it. Turned out to be the water pump. Towed in via MINI Roadside, fixed in a day with a new water pump. Never been another issue.
Normally, when I've seen coolant leak, the edges of the puddle show a white crusty build-up (if the puddle has had enough time to evaporate a bit). The MINI factory coolant, when mixed properly, is pretty green. It's possible that this is washer fluid. The R50-53s had a problem with washer fluid tanks leaking... if you have Xenon lights, there is one just behind each of the front wheels, built into a cavity behind the body panels. The stock MINI washer fluid smells of an organic solvent, but isn't sweet like coolant or greasy like brake fluid.
Thanks for the advice. I've got an appointment tomorrow - better safe than sorry. I didn't see any crust around the puddle, and it seemed pretty oily to be washer fluid. The other odd thing is that the foglight on that side has stopped working - possible short? I'll report back when I get it back...
Perhaps you foglight fluid is leaking. If I'm remembering correctly, the OEM foglights use the same fluid as the blinkers. You can get a bottle of blinker fluid for under $9 and top it up easily through the plug on the back of the fixture. Blinker Fluid [BF-01] - $8.99 : KaleCoAuto, Hard to find automotive items!
Since I haven't done that type of repair yet, and it's the left fog light I'll need a left handed wrench, right? Do you have a link for one of those?