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 Posted: Nov 30, 2018 07:14AM
Total posts: 1
Last post: Nov 30, 2018
Member since:Nov 30, 2018
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I just had this problem in my mini. I changed the cap, didn't work. I put die in the coolant, no leaks. Changed the oil, no water. Finally found a mechanic that checked the exhaust and found coolant in the exhaust. As we all know this meant at least a blown head gasket.  I pulled the head and had it tested for warp and it was. Replaced the head myself and problem solved (by the way I'm not at all mechanical nor have a collection of tools). This was a very easy job and Mod Mini on YouTube has a great two part video for this very repair. Moral of my story check the exhaust for traces of coolant; that maybe were your water is disappearing to.

 Posted: Nov 19, 2018 09:40AM
Total posts: 6349
Last post: Oct 22, 2023
Member since:Mar 9, 1999
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I'm not sure where to do this on a 02 and newer BINI, but something in general I like to do when I'm prepping cars for track events is to pressurize the cooling system while it is cold and see if it holds pressure, including the cap.

I do this by splicing a T-fitting somewhere into one of the smaller coolant lines (heater core line?) and on the extra outlet (3rd outlet on the T fitting) I use a short length of hose and a shraeder valve from an old bicycle innertube or from an old tire and hold it in the hose with hose clamps. I then use a bicycle hand pump with a gauge and bring the system slowly up to pressure and see if there are any leaks anywhere or if the system holds pressure on the bicycle pump gauge. i also see when the cap releases its pressure (13lbs, 16lbs, etc). I like doing this moreso than using a hot engine at operating temp with a naturally pressurized system because I can feel around for leaks without touching a hot engine and I can hear them without having to overcome the sound of a running motor.

I once found that it took a 24lb cap to hold 13psi of pressure in the system on my modified Austin America. This explained why it overheated-- it couldn't contain the pressure needed to reduce the boiling point of the coolant. 

 Posted: Nov 18, 2018 07:52PM
Total posts: 10330
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US
[email protected] knows the MINIs very well and responds to this Forum as well, but I believe he is on vacation for two weeks. Hopefully someone else will be able to answer.

 Posted: Nov 18, 2018 04:44PM
Total posts: 3919
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ask.. ken here at MM.. as most of us have Classic minis.. later bc

 Posted: Nov 18, 2018 03:39PM
Total posts: 1
Last post: Nov 18, 2018
Member since:Nov 18, 2018
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I’ve been having over heating issues constantly on my mini. I had the engine rehoned and a new head gasket put in since it was causing the problem initially. After it was repaired it was fine for a few days then started over heating against. So I took it to  another shop and had the coolant tank replaced and new fan relay replaced since they said it was bad and had the thermostat and housing replaced with new parts. Yet it still keeps over heating and it just throws all the water out and it’s always completely drained. Super frustrated already and no mechanic apparently can figure out what actually is wrong with it