Any car mechanics on here?

[BigonaBianchi]

Being a cyclist i have no clue what happens under the bonnet of my mini cooper (new type Bmw). On a trip recently I ran out of washer water so filled it up....only I didnt, I filled up the coolant reservoir instead....I filled it right up to the top as well..anyway..it's been running fine since then, but now it's freezing outside I am thinking something evil awaits me in the snow when it comes...so what should I do?

I thought I could syphon out the reservoir contents from the reservoir then jus tadd anti freeze up to the max level indicator, but then I heard I may have to drain the entire system and I have no idea how to do that. Is that necessary? I dont want to mess up my engine etc ..I heard about corrosion??

Yes I know I can take it to a garage but I am skint broke at the moment ..so I thought I'd ask on a cycling forum ..any suggestions welcome.

Numpty.

 

[Bicycle]

1. What did you put in it? Was it water, or a water/screenwasher mix or pure screenwash?

I guess whichever it was it wants to be flushed and correctly refilled ASAP, but you don't necessarily need to go to a garage for that.

There is bound to be something on YouTube telling you how to do it. I haven't done it for over a decade, but on older cars it was a fairly idiot-proof procedure as long as you did a couple of simple things in the right order. Usually no special tools needed, but I know nothing of BMW Minis.

My experience of cars built in the last decade is that you need another couple of knuckes on each finger, because more stuff is squashed into a smaller space.

Suggestion: If you're too broke to take it to a garage, sell it and buy something cheaper. There are some very good cars out there which cost a good deal less in insurance, tyres, service amd similar.

Although the value bubble has now burst for the 3-door Cooper, it will still be worth something. If it is one of the funkier bodystyles it will be worth quite a bit more.

I think if you cannot afford to have a garage flush your coolant, you are running a car you cannot afford to run. Just a thought.

Meanwhile, have a go at doing it yourself.

 

[MattHB]

Did you put any washer fluid in? If you did then you'll need to drain it, flush it and refill with coolant, the washer fluid will play havoc with the system. If not then its no biggie as below.

Just let some water out by siphoning, or by undoing the clip on the hose on the bottom of the reservoir. If its been BMW serviced it'll have ample antifreeze even though you've diluted it a bit.

It's important to allow expansion room for the coolant in the header tank so take it down to the 'max' mark when cold.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Provided it is just plain water you put in I would syphon the expansion tank to empty and top up (only to the max level on the tank) with neat anti freeze. You can buy a device to check the strength of the anti freeze or find a friendly garage to test it for you.

DiY coolant changes can be a pain in the arse as you will need to bleed the system to get rid of the air-locks, do-able but not for someone who isn't confident mechanically. Overheating is the quickest way to total an engine so a complete drain and re-fill is best left to someone car savvy.

 

[ianrauk]

*Tries to imagine someone as tall as BOAB fitting in a Mini*

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Ok..thanks guys...yes all I did was add plain water (not washer fluid or anything). So i'll try the syphoning thing and re fill with neat antifreeze...currently there is no 'expansion room ' in th eheader tank as I filled it up to the cap.

Ian...I took out the front seat

 

[biggs682]

you only need to drain the expansion tank to midway between max and min marks , and would not have thought it will have weekened the anti freeze mixture at all , if in doubt get it checked

 

[BigonaBianchi]

I syphoned off about half, Yuck that stuff tastes horrible!
Refilled with ant freeze (neat) job done..thanks chaps!

 

[rich p]

Like cachaca, it's best in a cocktail mate.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I'm an expert!

Now, the bonnet - that's the lid thing at the front end isn't it?

 

[Black Sheep]

I've always run my cars with a mix of water and anti-freeze in.
just make sure that you're between the high and low marks, although most cars will spit out the excess if needed.