I have a 2008 mini cooper S, R56 with a disappearing coolant problem. Quite honestly I can't spare the big bucks it will cost to take it to a dealership to have it diagnosed, not the mention the nearest dealer is 100 miles away!
It started loosing coolant, slowly and with no obvious spots of fluid under the car, its driven 100 miles day and would require replacing about a quart of coolant almost daily. After doing some research, we bought and replaced the thermostat housing which had a thermostat and a temp sensor in it. It did ok for about a week, then suddenly coolant is POURING out. Ok, we figured a hose or bolt was loose, took it apart again and while we didn't find anything specific, we did replace hose clamps, tightened everything we could find. Now, its still loosing coolant, not as bad, but we cant find where its going, not majorly leaking though, AND the check engine is on (Glowing yellow, rather than red) and when checked, it codes something about the thermostat and its low on coolant???
I would so appreciate thoughts/suggestions while I come up with the money to spare to repair it. I hate going into a car repair shop with no clue as to what might be wrong with my vehicle, so I like to be prepared. And you know how car repair shops tend to treat a woman!
Thanks folks, I so appreciate your help!

 

By chance, do you happen to have the code(s) for the check engine light?

 

No, I'm sorry, I do not know...Do you have any ideas? Maybe I put this in the wrong place, I've had only your response??

 

most autoparts stores will scan the codes , the codes might give us a clue ...

where is it pouring out at ? leak from the housing you replaced ?

 

Yes, we had an autoparts store scan the code, I just didn't write it down, but I will try to do that. As for where the coolant was coming from, it was difficult to tell exactly, but it was very near the thermostat housing that we replaced. We have since gone back in and checked and tightened everything and replaced the clamps. Its not leaking really bad now, but coolant is still disappearing slowly...and the check engine light is still on.

I appreciate your help!

 

Did you get any updates?

 

It is now only leaking slightly, and the check engine light is still on. Going to try and get the code today.

 

Check the oil to see if it looks like chocolate milk, so that would indicate a blown head gasket, or a cracked head. This is not Mini specific, just what happened to me when I lost coolant on another car.