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Coolant Leaking - Need Advice


Best Answer rubdub , 20 February 2018 - 06:48 PM

Sorry for the lack of updates lads! 

 

In the end I swapped out the expansion tank and cap, and the water pump and all is running fine now! Well as fine as a mini can run! :D

 

I had a feeling it wasn't the expansion tank, but it was bulging a good bit so thought now would be as good a time to change it.

 

Thanks for the help folks! 

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#1 rubdub

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Posted 26 December 2017 - 01:41 PM

Hey guys, 

 

So I've a pretty bad coolant leak at the moment. Usually after commuting back and forth to work for two days (about 40 miles) I'll have to top up my coolant again if not sooner than that! and some mornings I'll come down and there is a pool of coolant under the car.

 

All the expansion tank is bowed it's not leaking. I know there was a leak in the thermostat housing, but I've just changed the gaskets and the leak is still happening from somewhere else.

 

It seems to be pooling at the bottom right (facing the car) of the gearbox sump. Here is a pic for reference - https://ibb.co/e0fzH6

 

Could this be from the water pump? Or where else should I be checking?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 



#2 FlyingScot

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Posted 26 December 2017 - 02:24 PM

Model and year would help...your mention of expansion bottle implies MPi?

Best way I have found over the years is to clean off the engine and gearbox and blow a little talc on the suspect areas, fire her up and leave to warm up looking for the tracks caused by the coolant leaking. Pictures don’t really help as the coolant runs along surfaces.
Clean it up and go from there.

FS

#3 minidaves

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Posted 26 December 2017 - 02:24 PM

water pump expansion tank or a hose



#4 ukcooper

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Posted 26 December 2017 - 03:49 PM

heatermaxtrix

or if its Mpi rad cap expansions cap not working

Edited by ukcooper, 26 December 2017 - 03:50 PM.


#5 rubdub

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Posted 26 December 2017 - 07:51 PM

Yep, it's an MPI. I'll give that a go.

 

Thanks guys! 



#6 Xinarin13

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Posted 15 February 2018 - 04:04 PM

News?



#7 Alice Dooper

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Posted 17 February 2018 - 10:22 AM

I’ve been told that the expansion tank caps are notorious. They are only a few £, so might be a quick easy fix so a good place to start.

#8 Steve220

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Posted 17 February 2018 - 10:32 AM

The caps were, rover superseded the part though just before they went bust. It's available as a fiat part now, I believe!

Due to the location of your water drip, I would rule out a lot. It's either going to be your water pump (most likely) or where a pipe meets an alloy fitting, i.e. Your water pump or stat housing.

#9 rubdub

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Posted 20 February 2018 - 06:48 PM   Best Answer

Sorry for the lack of updates lads! 

 

In the end I swapped out the expansion tank and cap, and the water pump and all is running fine now! Well as fine as a mini can run! :D

 

I had a feeling it wasn't the expansion tank, but it was bulging a good bit so thought now would be as good a time to change it.

 

Thanks for the help folks! 






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