[ogceric]

So I just bought a new MCS and I am super excited, but something just happened and now I am freaking out. I was showing the car to my mother and she asked if she could drive it. I trust my mom and so I let her. When she was pulling back into the garage though she started sliding back (as manuals do on a slope) and so she started to rev it pretty hard. I think it got close to 6,000 rpms. I started freaking out because I read in the manual that it's not supposed to go over 4.5 until after 1,500 miles. What made me flip even more is that when I got out of the car it smelled like something was burning and there was some liquid coming out from under the car. It's not leaking any more and not that much liquid came out, but still I am so scared. Does anyone know what might of happened and can someone PLEASE put my mind at ease? Thanks everyone.

[gilfos]

My guess is that if the over-rev was relatively brief, then there's likely no harm done. Did you happen to notice any characteristics of the fluid that you saw? If it's humid where you live, it might have been water from the air conditioner. If you're sure it wasn't water, you should definitely call your dealer before driving it much. Check your oil level too. The burning smell would likely be a belt that got a little hot, but could be something more serious, especially if that fluid isn't water!

[ogceric]

Thanks for the quick response gilfos. I just went out to check on it again, and unfortunately it's still leaking the fluid. The good news is I think that's it's just water. It's clear (even on newspaper) so it doesn't seem likely that it's oil or transmition fluid. Maybe it's from the AC. I also checked the coolant level and it is at the max line so maybe there was just some overflow? I don't know, but I'm still worried.

[cooper_s_flyer]

It depends on what kind of "liquid" came out... and of course... if it keeps coming out.
If you are really worried about it then go and get a low mileage oil change with the 5w-30w Mini synthetic oil and have the techs take a really good look under the car to tell where the "fluid" was coming from. Do not tell them the circumstances however !

IMHO, one serious "over-rev" should not really "hurt" the engine... I would be a bit more concerned about the clutch if I were you. Please teach your mom exactly how to drive the Mini "the right way" before you allow a solo run again.

Also, "clear water" is only ejected from the A/C evaporator drain... nothing to worry about there !!!

[gilfos]

Coolant overflow would also be a likely culprit- as long as the stuff you see isn't oily-looking, it's probably OK. Also, I've heard that sometimes new cars "burp" some coolant when they're being driven home the first time, apparently from an air bubble in the lines that gets purged. Coolant overflowing onto a hot exhaust system or engine also might smell burned.

[gilfos]

I bet Cooper S flyer is right about the clutch being the source of the burned smell. It probably didn't hurt it.

[ogceric]

Wow, everyone here is so helpful. Ok so I took one last look. I've noticed that the liquid (I'm 90% sure it's water now) is coming from an open rubber tube under the car, seemingly under the passenger side footwell. In other words, it is behind the engine. It's located next to a bronze cylinder-looking thing (man I wish I knew more about cars). It doesn't look like the hose was broken or ripped, but dropplets of water seem to be continuously forming and then leaking out. Is this just the AC? Is the tube supposed to be out like that? Just thinking about it logically I can't imagine how a hard rev could affect that particular tube in such a way. A final afformation that this tube is a part of the AC shall put all my worries to rest. Thanks again everyone!

[willymcd]

i think it is just ac evaporation too, if it was coolant it would have a colour to it, or another way to test it is have a bunch drip in a shot glass when it is a bit full take a swig, if you die then its coolant if you live then its water ... yes and i also second that the smell was clutch. Its okay, i have had my MCS for 5 days and i already scratched by bumper from putting the middle lower aero grill on, i got a bit weak in the stomach too when that happened, haha....

[minikai]

That is the AC drain tube - don't worry.
Was the smell somehow sweetish, like burning wax? I had it too for the first 100 km, its from the corrosion protection of the exhaust system. It is supposed to burn away during the first heating of the exhaust. I even had some smoke coming out of the exhaust after my first few drives.

[bimini]

i wouldnt worry at all about the over rev...the run in is more of a safety margin guideline than an absolute barrier. If it wasn't they'd rev peg it at 4500 so you couldnt do it.

[ogceric]

Thanks everyone. I feel much better now. I think it was just a crazy coincidence that the condensation from the AC decided to drain around the same time as the over-rev. I drove it today and it was fine. Thanks again.