Coolant Leak, need help and advice please !!

[Actionman]

Hi, new here so any help or advice would be much appreciated.

i've had a MCS 2002 for about 6 months now, no problems (touch wood)

Recently (for about a month now ), i keep topping up the coolant (around 250 - 500ml to bring back to normal levels).

After running the enigne for around 2-3 mins, i see the leak right under the front bumper in the centre, coolant coming though the plastics. It only loses a bit (what i top up), and then it stops. It doesn't lose all the coolant.

Due to limited access and viewing under the car, not sure if it is the radiator leaking or a pipe. Strange is not leaking all of it.

Any ideas guys? shall i get rid off the plastic trims to identify the leak? how hard of a task is that? or will i spend hours under the car for nothing?

Or shall i book it in at dealers to get checked? dont really trust dealserships, because before u know, i will get a phone call saying it needs new rad, change the whole coolant, and there is no proof anything has been done, etc.

Thanks

[hollinshead]

If you feel confident with doing so, I'd try removing some of the plastic and see exactly what / where it is leaking.

Failing that take it to the dealers but no doubt that will be expensive!

[Simmy68]

I had this on my Mini Cooper (52) and it turned out to be the radiator. It was leaking from the bottom of the rad, on one of the tubes to the tank. I had only done 35k and there was no sign of damage from stones etc. so I think it was a premature failure. Cost me about £110 to buy a new radiator. I replaced it myself, it's not too bad of a job, although it is easier if you haven't got a/c.

[greenfish102]

Hi

Same case here as Simmy. 02 cooper radiator leaked .Not too big a job. Everything clicks/screws off. Need socket set for radiator mountings Awkward screw behind bumper wings . Rad was £109 new from ebay

Regards

Steve