How do I tell if the head gasket is gone???

[wilmanlee]

Hi,

Checked my Coolant bottle last night and to find that its well below the Min!!!

I know this is a common problem with the coolant bottle on Mini's

I basically want to determine if its the head gasket that is leaking too?....

The damm car is also out of warranty so any ideas on cost???

Thanks in advance everyone.

Wil

[JG.26]

You will lose some coolant through evaporation over time, have topped mine up on a couple of occasions. If your head gasket has gone then you will get water in your oil. Check the oil on the dipstick or inside the filler cap. If the oil has a white mayonaise appearance then you have water in it. Also if your head gasket has gone you can get excessive white smoke from the exhaust,

hope that helps

[wilmanlee]

Many thanks for the advice,

Just seems like the coolant tank is leaking as there is signs of it on the outside.
Checked oil which seems fine.

Going in to Mini tmw for service so will have them to double check for me.

[JG.26]

Quote: Originally Posted by wilmanlee

Many thanks for the advice,

Just seems like the coolant tank is leaking as there is signs of it on the outside.
Checked oil which seems fine.

Going in to Mini tmw for service so will have them to double check for me.

No probs, I think there were problems with earlier coolant tanks leaking around it's seam, would rather it be the tank than the head gasket

[wilmanlee]

Quote: Originally Posted by Penguinblue

No probs, I think there were problems with earlier coolant tanks leaking around it's seam, would rather it be the tank than the head gasket

Me think the same too......what you think the cost of it will be to change the coolant tank.

[JG.26]

Quote: Originally Posted by wilmanlee

Me think the same too......what you think the cost of it will be to change the coolant tank.

I can't imagine a new plastic tank would be more than a tenner, it's the labour charge to change it over if you get BMW to do the work. You could always buy the tank and get an independant to change it over for you, or do it yourself if your feeling brave

[wilmanlee]

Quote: Originally Posted by Penguinblue

I can't imagine a new plastic tank would be more than a tenner, it's the labour charge to change it over if you get BMW to do the work. You could always buy the tank and get an independant to change it over for you, or do it yourself if your feeling brave

Changing the tank shouldnt be too difficult....im confident in that respect. But its the draining of the coolant im not sure about.

Do you or anyone else know how to drain the system??

[JG.26]

Quote: Originally Posted by wilmanlee

Changing the tank shouldnt be too difficult....im confident in that respect. But its the draining of the coolant im not sure about.

Do you or anyone else know how to drain the system??

Sorry not on the MINI I don't, but was easy enough on a Mazda 323 I once had, just undo the drain tap, bottom of radiator, I think I remember getting a hose and flushing the radiator out from the top filler neck, put the heater onto hot and filled back up to about 3/4 and then started engine and filled upto normal level, 50/50 coolant and distilled water mix. Just need to watch for any air in the sysyem. Probably totally different for the MINI .....anyone else?

[wilmanlee]

Just come back from Mini after having 2nd oil service and brake fluid change. Turns out it was the coolant bottle that is leaking. Changed it for a new one, costing £50 supply and fitted with coolant!. Alot cheaper than expected considering they quoted me £70 for just a coolant change.

Will be keeping a eye on it now jsut to make sure its nothing else that is leaking!.

Wil

[JG.26]

Quote: Originally Posted by wilmanlee

Just come back from Mini after having 2nd oil service and brake fluid change. Turns out it was the coolant bottle that is leaking. Changed it for a new one, costing £50 supply and fitted with coolant!. Alot cheaper than expected considering they quoted me £70 for just a coolant change.

Will be keeping a eye on it now jsut to make sure its nothing else that is leaking!.

Wil

Cool, glad you got it all sorted out last thing you need is no coolant on a day like today

[herbie hind]

when you start breathin thru your neck ...your head gasket's gone ,.

[wilmanlee]

Quote: Originally Posted by herbie hind

when you start breathin thru your neck ...your head gasket's gone ,.

My knowledge of engine is not that great........what do u mean by the above??...

Thanks