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How far can I drive with a leaky radiator in my wife's Mini?
My wife's car left a puddle in the driveway yesterday after having the engine on just long enough to pull it out of the garage. I got underneath and looked around today and there is some wet and crusty coolant all over the place, though I cannot find the leak. I would say it's about a tsp. or two and it leaked that much again today pulling it out of the garage. Reservoir tank was below minmum when I opened the hood. I believe it's only leaking when the engine is running, as I put a dish on top of the puddle last night and it was dry this morning. It's under warranty and the dealer is about 20 miles from the house. We have towing insurance, so that's not a problem. But is it safe to take it 20 miles or should we have it towed?
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2022 BMW 530i 2021 MB GLA250 2020 BMW R1250GS |
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03-29-2009, 10:14 AM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 55,882
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It sounds like you could top everything off and make it much farther than 20 miles, but who knows for sure until you try it.
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa  SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
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03-29-2009, 10:21 AM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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Top it off and take some fluid with you. Watch the temp gauge like a hawk and you should be fine.
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03-29-2009, 10:24 AM
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I decided that 1-2 tsp. in 30 seconds would probably turn into a lot of coolant at full operating temp. and engine speed over 30 min. So Miini Roadside Assistance is coming today. I'll let the dealer worry about it.
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2022 BMW 530i 2021 MB GLA250 2020 BMW R1250GS |
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03-29-2009, 11:00 AM
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Cars & Coffee Killer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: State of Failure
Posts: 32,246
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How far could you make it? Right to the scene of the accident.
 Good call Rick. I don't let vehicles get driven in my household that have potential safety issues.
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Some Porsches long ago...then a wankle... 5 liters of VVT fury now -Chris "There is freedom in risk, just as there is oppression in security." |
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03-29-2009, 11:02 AM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 55,882
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Better safe than sorry. Did you check to see if it actually drips while the car is running. I've had lots and lots of leaky stuff over the years. It's been my experience that it may leak a bit when cold, then once things are hot and flowing, the leaks stop or diminish. Then after shutdown there's often another period of leaking as the water heats since it's just sitting in the block so the pressure goes up.
You'd have probably been fine, but since you can get it towed on Ins, why not. Better than getting 1/2 or 3/4 of the way there and then having to call a tow from the side of the road.
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
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03-29-2009, 11:04 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: bottom left corner of the world
Posts: 22,722
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My Corolla had a knackered radiator and I unscrewed the cap so the pressure was off but it was in the stop possition (so it wouldn't fall off) and this allowed me to put off buying a replacement radiator for another six months. Radiator caps have different spring pressures and the more pressure the higher them water temp etc.
Hopefully just a hose in your GF's car. |
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03-29-2009, 11:08 AM
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Flatbed just took it away. Of course, it wouldn't leak when driving it onto the flatbed. I'm sure I could have made it to the dealer now, but what the hell? There's definite evidence of a leak under the car and I'll let them worry about it.
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2022 BMW 530i 2021 MB GLA250 2020 BMW R1250GS |
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03-29-2009, 12:48 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MYR S.C.
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until it overheats and locks up.....aw come on, someone had to say it
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86 930 94kmiles [_ _] RUNNING:[__] NOT RUNNING: ____77 911S widebody: SOLD88 BMW 325is 200K+ SOLD 03 BMW 330CI 220K:: [_ _] RUNNING: [__] NOT RUNNING:01 suburban 330K:: [_ _] RUNNING: [__] NOT RUNNING:RACE CAR:: sold |
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03-30-2009, 05:05 AM
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Friend of Warren
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 16,484
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You have the ubiquitous defective thermostat housing gasket leak. Almost every Mini from 2001-2006 has had it. My wife's came on at about 25K miles. Covered under warranty. If the warranty is out will run you about $200 at the dealer to replace.
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Kurt V No more Porsches, but a revolving number of motorcycles. |
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03-30-2009, 06:01 AM
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Friend of Warren
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 16,484
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Well was I right?
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Kurt V No more Porsches, but a revolving number of motorcycles. |
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03-30-2009, 04:27 PM
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canna change law physics
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My Jeep was pissing fluid out on Friday, when I arrived home. It looked like the radiator. I took the cowling off and removed the electric fan. I ran the engine up to temp, and the leak returned, but not the "pissing" part. The only hose in the area is dry. I'm pulling the radiator later this week.
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James The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the engineer adjusts the sails.- William Arthur Ward (1921-1994) Red-beard for President, 2020 |
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03-30-2009, 04:34 PM
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Quote:
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2022 BMW 530i 2021 MB GLA250 2020 BMW R1250GS |
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03-30-2009, 04:36 PM
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Friend of Warren
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 16,484
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Get this Rick, even the dealer can't just get the gasket, it only comes with the housing. So you end up getting the housing and gasket and new antifreeze. If you haven't already had the Inspection I they should do it at the same time along with an updated flash of the ECU.
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Kurt V No more Porsches, but a revolving number of motorcycles. |
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03-30-2009, 06:02 PM
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Control Group
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Depends
How much is a new head on a Mini?
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She was the kindest person I ever met |
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03-30-2009, 06:19 PM
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They did the 30k mile service too or whatever Inspection was due. It's still under free maint. warranty for a few more. mos. After that, it's DIY everything, though I change the oil and filters once between services.
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2022 BMW 530i 2021 MB GLA250 2020 BMW R1250GS |
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03-30-2009, 08:21 PM
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i want one of those...
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: formerly a grass shack in Hawaii, now Peoria, AZ
Posts: 3,030
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Quote:
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Jeff '72 911 T Targa widebody VTK #111385 http://www.911vtk.com |
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03-31-2009, 01:55 AM
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A replacement thermostat comes with a new gasket...
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Ken 06 Cayman S - gone 85 911 Targa - gone back home to Germany 73.5 911T Targa - long gone... Founder ncPOG: nevada county Porsche Owners Group - disbanded post covid after 15 yrs |
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03-31-2009, 10:08 AM
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Only Porsche
Only bike
1986 Porsche 944 2.5l
1970/1982 Porsche 914-6/911SC 2.7 RS
2004 Mazda Miata
1985 Porsche 911 Targa 3.2
2006 Cayman S
