A few years ago I had a problem, in summer too on a hot day when after I would turn off my car I could hear a boiling sound coming from the engine bay.

It was later discovered that what happened was a faulty distributor cap? (not sure if that's the right name), it caused loss of pressure so the coolant couldn't circulate properly which meant the engine wasn't being cooled properly. Anyway it was quite easy to fix he just replaced the cap for $60 and topped up fluid.

Anyway, today it seems like the same problem is happening again..I think.
Here's a photo of the fluid..I'm assuming this is the coolant fluid right?

It's parked now and it almost sounds like the power steering is still switched on or something, even though the car is off it's kinda making a whining sound.

The fluid looks a bit low but it doesn't seem to have leaked...could it be that because the engines hot the fluid hasn't yet drained back into the resevoir?

I'm not sure what to do i'm going overseas in a couple of days but still need it to get around town until then.

Should I just top it up or what? Do u think it could be the same problem reoccuring again?

Any other diagnosis?

ps...and where is the distributor cap located? I can't even find it to check if it's tight or whatever?

damn it that's all i need.
now the power steering hasn't turned off even though the engine is off.
it's running the battery flat...
have to make an emergency call to nrma

sounds like the fan on the PS is jammed on...be careful as these burning out have been known to cause the PS pumps to overheat and cause fires. The cooling system does appear to be in that picture although it looks nothing like one I have seen before on a MINI... wierd

The distributer cap is an electrical item, nothing to do with the cooling. I assum you mean the cap on the bottle top with the pressure release valave built in had failed...the cap on what you have pictured does not look right at all to me (but then neither does the coolant bottle!). The coolant expansion tank has a screw on lid that has a pressure release valve in ... changing this might fix a cooling issue but will have no effect on your PS

That is coolant reservoir on the facelift gen 1s. The pre-facelift ones had a tan colour tank I believe.

The cap into the coolant system is located to the right of the engine block. Black, circular plastic cap with a picture of a book, triangle with ! in it and a hand with a cross over it and writing, all in yellow. :p If the cap is undone and the coolant is hot (after you have run the car for a while) the coolant will boil in atmospheric conditions, needs to be under-pressure so it doesnt boil. Check the cap to make sure its tight as you said you heard a boiling sound.

basically the thing that controls the power steering is screwed, looks like it burned out.
it needs replacing, he said looks like the fan that keeps it cool may have failed which resulted in this happening, so the power steering is permenanly on, wearing the battery down when the engine is off. it needs to be replaced. all up will cost me around $3000 i think. that's to replace the pump, engine coolant fix the boiling radiator problem probably replace the rad cap, and a new battery and cord.
I have'n't asked for a new battery yet but I will anyone know how much a new battery costs?

Here my mini is being loaded onto the ambulance on his way to hospital...

Lucky I got the first 20kms free on my nrma, so only ended up paying $15 for the tow right across the other side of town.

Ok I am new here so I will take the bait...

Seriously is this thread some kind of troll?

If its not I am sorry in which case you seriously need to look at doing a basic car maintenance course at TAFE.

Cars haven't used distributors for some time now.

my car I have in the garage still uses one ;) ... ok so the car is from 1990 and is a classic MINI but it still uses one ;) :p lol

chill out.
i meant radiator cap not distributor cap.

sounds like the fan on the PS is jammed on...be careful as these burning out have been known to cause the PS pumps to overheat and cause fires. The cooling system does appear to be in that picture although it looks nothing like one I have seen before on a MINI... wierd

The distributer cap is an electrical item, nothing to do with the cooling. I assum you mean the cap on the bottle top with the pressure release valave built in had failed...the cap on what you have pictured does not look right at all to me (but then neither does the coolant bottle!). The coolant expansion tank has a screw on lid that has a pressure release valve in ... changing this might fix a cooling issue but will have no effect on your PS


You pretty much hit the nail right on the head!
Got it back today and the power steering fan thing was jammed on..
Is that a common fault?
Anyways it burned out the power steering fan, motor the works had to replace it all, but it's all good now.. $2300 later !
Battery terminal had broken too.
Bloody crap sydney roads I remember when that happened it's when I hit one of the NSW state labor party inspired pot holes which never get fixed and I heard a loud crack.

ps, nobody commented on my conterfeit Mantis rims and red brake calipers..
It's hard to see them cause i haven't washed the car since those terrible dust storms so the wheels are all dirty and look awful...
They even come with an "official" MINI logo on the hub caps.