MINI2

Perm · Dec 31st, 2007, 09:24 AM

Hi,

….. I know the MCS has the coolant level shown on side of the bottle but how do you see if your coolant is at the correct level as the bottle is not clear and when you take the top off you can not see into the bottle to check how high the coolant level is…. Am I missing something simple. ?

Thanks

Perm

ScottyBoy · Dec 31st, 2007, 12:14 PM

In the bottom of the coolant bottle is lots of squiggley lines sort of and as far as im aware thats the minimum marker, if you cant see them then you should be fine!

There about 15mm from the bottom of the bottle!

Scott

Tigger, Eeyore & Roo · Dec 31st, 2007, 02:16 PM

Ah, so that's what they're for!

Just checked mine for the first time and it was well down

It's one thing I don't nornally check on a new car between services, but after 11 months and 17,500 miles the bottle was nearly empty. I guess the 10,000 mile "service" probably doesn't run to a coolant level check

I shall check it along with the oil level in future.

Tigger.

Hugo · Dec 31st, 2007, 03:00 PM

Thanks Scottyboy good to know for the future. I had a bit of bother understanding how to read the dipstick on an S.

Surely with all the services they should be checking levels, tyre wear, brakes, etc.

Ford do with all theirs even the 1200mile one when they change oil as you get most of the swurf in the oil (metal shaving etc) within the first 1k miles.

Tigger, Eeyore & Roo · Dec 31st, 2007, 03:20 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Hugo (original)

Surely with the services they should be checking levels, tyre wear, brakes, etc.

Ford do with all theirs even the 1200mile one when they change oil as you get most of the swurf in the oil (metal shaving etc) within the first 1k miles.

Sorry, but no

Firstly, there is no early oil change. All that running-in swarf is left in place until the first oil change at 10,000 miles

At 10,000 miles, the "service" consists of:

* Change oil and filter
* Reset service indicator
* Change pollen filter
* Check brake pads. Charge for any work on the brakes if necessary.
* Check and adjust handbrake

That's all!

They don't actually check the level of ANY fluids, or even the condition of the tyres, until the Inspection 1 service at 25,000 miles

Tigger.

Hugo · Dec 31st, 2007, 03:52 PM

I know Mini don't have an early service.

Ford have an early oil change thats what I was saying.

Tigger, Eeyore & Roo · Dec 31st, 2007, 03:58 PM

That's fair enough, it's the way it should be.

Hugo · Dec 31st, 2007, 04:12 PM

Sorry for any confusion, I was on a rant after hearing independent oil changes could effect the warranty on a MINI.

Tigger, Eeyore & Roo · Dec 31st, 2007, 04:21 PM

As long as "approved parts" are used, the manufacturer should not be able to object. I think we can actually thank the EU for that particular ruling

I still get the dealer to do it, just to be on the safe side!

Perm · Jan 2nd, 2008, 02:42 PM

Thanks for this....

bains@MINI · Jan 2nd, 2008, 02:50 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

Sorry, but no

Firstly, there is no early oil change. All that running-in swarf is left in place until the first oil change at 10,000 miles

At 10,000 miles, the "service" consists of:

* Change oil and filter
* Reset service indicator
* Change pollen filter
* Check brake pads. Charge for any work on the brakes if necessary.
* Check and adjust handbrake

That's all!

They don't actually check the level of ANY fluids, or even the condition of the tyres, until the Inspection 1 service at 25,000 miles

Tigger.

We check the levels, out of courtesy tho

not part of a dealers standard service!

Tigger, Eeyore & Roo · Jan 4th, 2008, 06:54 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by bains@MINI (original)

We check the levels, out of courtesy tho

not part of a dealers standard service!

Pleased to hear it

Though people going to other dealers should be aware that they shouldn't expect it to be done

Hugo · Jan 6th, 2008, 06:29 PM

I bought my Mini not even 3 weeks ago and needed to top up coolant it was below min. I've only done 400miles with only 13.3Kmiles on it.

johnlondonw3 · Feb 6th, 2008, 02:02 PM

When topping up the coolant ,which I need to do ,what sort should be used and what ratio ?

Perm · Feb 6th, 2008, 09:07 PM

John,
Jusyt buy the BMW coolant from the parts department..... that way you will know you are putting in the correct stuff.

Cheers

Perm

MINIMANIAUK · Feb 7th, 2008, 08:35 AM

We check the levels, out of courtesy tho

not part of a dealers standard service!

good work ,but.........
Would that be the standard service where they dont take the sump plug out

making sure any crud remains in the bottom of the sump, as its faster to suck it out the dipstick tube

As long as parts/fluids used are "fit for purpose" your warranty is Not voided,(you can even self fit) oddly enough you cant buy car parts and fluids not fit for purpose in the EU thanks to the various trading standards
The dealer service/ warranty con has to stop they know it -thats why the TLC exists!!

Dec 31st, 2007, 09:24 AM	#1
Perm MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nottinghamshire Local Time: 11:28 PM Posts: 480 Offline	How do you check your coolant level ? Hi, ….. I know the MCS has the coolant level shown on side of the bottle but how do you see if your coolant is at the correct level as the bottle is not clear and when you take the top off you can not see into the bottle to check how high the coolant level is…. Am I missing something simple. ? Thanks Perm

Dec 31st, 2007, 02:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tigger, Eeyore & Roo May '08: Bye bye Mini2... My Classifieds Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 11:28 PM Posts: 4,512 Offline	Ah, so that's what they're for! Just checked mine for the first time and it was well down It's one thing I don't nornally check on a new car between services, but after 11 months and 17,500 miles the bottle was nearly empty. I guess the 10,000 mile "service" probably doesn't run to a coolant level check I shall check it along with the oil level in future. Tigger. May 08: Thanks to all of my friends on Mini2 for a lot of great times over the last 4 years. In future I can always be contacted here!

Dec 31st, 2007, 03:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tigger, Eeyore & Roo May '08: Bye bye Mini2... My Classifieds Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 11:28 PM Posts: 4,512 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Hugo (original) Surely with the services they should be checking levels, tyre wear, brakes, etc. Ford do with all theirs even the 1200mile one when they change oil as you get most of the swurf in the oil (metal shaving etc) within the first 1k miles. Sorry, but no Firstly, there is no early oil change. All that running-in swarf is left in place until the first oil change at 10,000 miles At 10,000 miles, the "service" consists of: * Change oil and filter * Reset service indicator * Change pollen filter * Check brake pads. Charge for any work on the brakes if necessary. * Check and adjust handbrake That's all! They don't actually check the level of ANY fluids, or even the condition of the tyres, until the Inspection 1 service at 25,000 miles Tigger. May 08: Thanks to all of my friends on Mini2 for a lot of great times over the last 4 years. In future I can always be contacted here!

Dec 31st, 2007, 03:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tigger, Eeyore & Roo May '08: Bye bye Mini2... My Classifieds Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 11:28 PM Posts: 4,512 Offline	That's fair enough, it's the way it should be. May 08: Thanks to all of my friends on Mini2 for a lot of great times over the last 4 years. In future I can always be contacted here!

Dec 31st, 2007, 04:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tigger, Eeyore & Roo May '08: Bye bye Mini2... My Classifieds Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 11:28 PM Posts: 4,512 Offline	As long as "approved parts" are used, the manufacturer should not be able to object. I think we can actually thank the EU for that particular ruling I still get the dealer to do it, just to be on the safe side! May 08: Thanks to all of my friends on Mini2 for a lot of great times over the last 4 years. In future I can always be contacted here!

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Dec 31st, 2007, 12:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
ScottyBoy Obsessive Car Cleaner OCC My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Thornaby NE Local Time: 11:28 PM Posts: 2,873 Offline	In the bottom of the coolant bottle is lots of squiggley lines sort of and as far as im aware thats the minimum marker, if you cant see them then you should be fine! There about 15mm from the bottom of the bottle! Scott

Dec 31st, 2007, 03:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Hugo MINI2 Master Join Date: May 2006 Location: Norn Iron Local Time: 11:28 PM Posts: 2,444 Offline	Thanks Scottyboy good to know for the future. I had a bit of bother understanding how to read the dipstick on an S. Surely with all the services they should be checking levels, tyre wear, brakes, etc. Ford do with all theirs even the 1200mile one when they change oil as you get most of the swurf in the oil (metal shaving etc) within the first 1k miles.

Dec 31st, 2007, 03:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
Hugo MINI2 Master Join Date: May 2006 Location: Norn Iron Local Time: 11:28 PM Posts: 2,444 Offline	I know Mini don't have an early service. Ford have an early oil change thats what I was saying.

Dec 31st, 2007, 04:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
Hugo MINI2 Master Join Date: May 2006 Location: Norn Iron Local Time: 11:28 PM Posts: 2,444 Offline	Sorry for any confusion, I was on a rant after hearing independent oil changes could effect the warranty on a MINI.

Jan 2nd, 2008, 02:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
Perm MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nottinghamshire Local Time: 11:28 PM Posts: 480 Offline	Thanks for this....

Jan 2nd, 2008, 02:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
bains@MINI MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: CREWE Local Time: 10:28 PM Posts: 5 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original) Sorry, but no Firstly, there is no early oil change. All that running-in swarf is left in place until the first oil change at 10,000 miles At 10,000 miles, the "service" consists of: * Change oil and filter * Reset service indicator * Change pollen filter * Check brake pads. Charge for any work on the brakes if necessary. * Check and adjust handbrake That's all! They don't actually check the level of ANY fluids, or even the condition of the tyres, until the Inspection 1 service at 25,000 miles Tigger. We check the levels, out of courtesy tho not part of a dealers standard service!

Jan 4th, 2008, 06:54 AM	#12 (permalink)
Tigger, Eeyore & Roo May '08: Bye bye Mini2... My Classifieds Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 11:28 PM Posts: 4,512 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by bains@MINI (original) We check the levels, out of courtesy tho not part of a dealers standard service! Pleased to hear it Though people going to other dealers should be aware that they shouldn't expect it to be done May 08: Thanks to all of my friends on Mini2 for a lot of great times over the last 4 years. In future I can always be contacted here!

Jan 6th, 2008, 06:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
Hugo MINI2 Master Join Date: May 2006 Location: Norn Iron Local Time: 11:28 PM Posts: 2,444 Offline	I bought my Mini not even 3 weeks ago and needed to top up coolant it was below min. I've only done 400miles with only 13.3Kmiles on it.

Feb 6th, 2008, 02:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
johnlondonw3 MINI2 Senior Join Date: Sep 2003 Local Time: 11:28 PM Posts: 691 Offline	When topping up the coolant ,which I need to do ,what sort should be used and what ratio ?

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Feb 6th, 2008, 09:07 PM	#15 (permalink)
Perm MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nottinghamshire Local Time: 11:28 PM Posts: 480 Offline	John, Jusyt buy the BMW coolant from the parts department..... that way you will know you are putting in the correct stuff. Cheers Perm

Feb 7th, 2008, 08:35 AM	#16 (permalink)
MINIMANIAUK MINI2 Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2006 Local Time: 11:28 PM Posts: 1,022 Offline	We check the levels, out of courtesy tho not part of a dealers standard service! good work ,but......... Would that be the standard service where they dont take the sump plug out making sure any crud remains in the bottom of the sump, as its faster to suck it out the dipstick tube As long as parts/fluids used are "fit for purpose" your warranty is Not voided,(you can even self fit) oddly enough you cant buy car parts and fluids not fit for purpose in the EU thanks to the various trading standards The dealer service/ warranty con has to stop they know it -thats why the TLC exists!! www.minimaniauk.com

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