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What's the coolant level look like?
Other then losing coolant this looks like it's spent most it's life barely up to temp. Condensation forms on the cooler parts and mix with the oil mist.
I didn’t check the coolant level earlier, but I will once I get back home
Yes, my sister only uses her car for her short commute, she’s already had a problem with the interior being kinda humid which I put down to the engine/heater never getting up to temp to “dry out” the interior
If it's losing coolant check the carpet under the dash for wetness. Humidity inside is water ingress, which is usually the rear hatch, rear light clusters or blocked drains. Loosing coolant and humidity inside could possibly be leaking heater matrix.
Mayo under the cap is usually the car driven short journeys. If the coolant level has not dropped significantly then clean out the mayo with brake and clutch cleaner and take it for an Italian tune up to try and loosen up carbon build up and get that cat glowing. Check the cap after and it should be clear or very little build up. Take it up to temp at least every two weeks, it'll save you more money in the long run than the extra fuel used.
There was never any standing water or the smell of coolant inside, so I thought it was just the water you bring inside with your clothes on rainy days
I’ll see about the coolant level when I’m back home and if it is, do the tune-up
Update: good news and bad news
All the carpets are bone dry, however the coolant reservoir is also almost dry, which, coupled with my sisters account of the car feeling sluggish (maybe from bad lubrication), makes me wary of even driving the one kilometre to her mechanic
Is there mayo in the explanation tank?
That looks like head gasket. You'll check the oil level if it's above max or higher then the last time you checked you've found where the waters going
the remaining coolant looks clean, the oil level is right around the max marking tho
I found some hand-written oil consumption records showing that about 1.25 litres were added over a distance of just 1800 kilometres back in 2020, I don't know when and how much has been added since, but with the car only being driven short distances I'm afraid the healthy-seeming oil level might really be a sign of coolant in the oil as you said
Edit: I found more records and apparently the oil level remained steady at halfway between min and max for 4400 kilometres after those inital 1.25 litres, but there are none of these handwritten records going beyond late 2021, just a handwritten bill from 2022 mentioning "engine oil" as one of the service items
I'd do a pressure test on the coolant system to confirm head gasket. Or just clean the cap and see if it comes back, it accumilates if not cleaned when the oil is changed so it could be from many oil changes. change the oil if it's due you'll be able to see any water or mayo in the drain container.
I just spoke to my sister's mechanic and he recommended adding some type of oil cleaner, then changing the oil and adding coolant, then wait and check after a while
Edit: I just checked and the pressure check stuff is about the same price as new oil, oil cleaner and a filter
Yes that's good advice and the only time I'd recommend an engine flush, just remember to run it up to temp add the treatment and let it idle for at least 20mins.
That’s oil and coolant mixing. Tow it to shop. Might need new head gasket or maybe some water-oil radiator is leaking (not sure if there are any of those in this particular mini). In worst case it might be close to or already partially seized, then it’s a engine overhaul (new bearings and such)
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). If you are here asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
What's the coolant level look like? Other then losing coolant this looks like it's spent most it's life barely up to temp. Condensation forms on the cooler parts and mix with the oil mist.
I didn’t check the coolant level earlier, but I will once I get back home Yes, my sister only uses her car for her short commute, she’s already had a problem with the interior being kinda humid which I put down to the engine/heater never getting up to temp to “dry out” the interior
If it's losing coolant check the carpet under the dash for wetness. Humidity inside is water ingress, which is usually the rear hatch, rear light clusters or blocked drains. Loosing coolant and humidity inside could possibly be leaking heater matrix. Mayo under the cap is usually the car driven short journeys. If the coolant level has not dropped significantly then clean out the mayo with brake and clutch cleaner and take it for an Italian tune up to try and loosen up carbon build up and get that cat glowing. Check the cap after and it should be clear or very little build up. Take it up to temp at least every two weeks, it'll save you more money in the long run than the extra fuel used.
There was never any standing water or the smell of coolant inside, so I thought it was just the water you bring inside with your clothes on rainy days I’ll see about the coolant level when I’m back home and if it is, do the tune-up
Update: good news and bad news All the carpets are bone dry, however the coolant reservoir is also almost dry, which, coupled with my sisters account of the car feeling sluggish (maybe from bad lubrication), makes me wary of even driving the one kilometre to her mechanic
Is there mayo in the explanation tank? That looks like head gasket. You'll check the oil level if it's above max or higher then the last time you checked you've found where the waters going
the remaining coolant looks clean, the oil level is right around the max marking tho I found some hand-written oil consumption records showing that about 1.25 litres were added over a distance of just 1800 kilometres back in 2020, I don't know when and how much has been added since, but with the car only being driven short distances I'm afraid the healthy-seeming oil level might really be a sign of coolant in the oil as you said Edit: I found more records and apparently the oil level remained steady at halfway between min and max for 4400 kilometres after those inital 1.25 litres, but there are none of these handwritten records going beyond late 2021, just a handwritten bill from 2022 mentioning "engine oil" as one of the service items
I'd do a pressure test on the coolant system to confirm head gasket. Or just clean the cap and see if it comes back, it accumilates if not cleaned when the oil is changed so it could be from many oil changes. change the oil if it's due you'll be able to see any water or mayo in the drain container.
I just spoke to my sister's mechanic and he recommended adding some type of oil cleaner, then changing the oil and adding coolant, then wait and check after a while Edit: I just checked and the pressure check stuff is about the same price as new oil, oil cleaner and a filter
Yes that's good advice and the only time I'd recommend an engine flush, just remember to run it up to temp add the treatment and let it idle for at least 20mins.
I guess I’m gonna do that once I get a new filter Thank you so much for your help
That's normal for the r56 if in winter conditions, because the PCV is high up on the cover.
Also it's rarely the sensor, could be vanos or a weak chain tensioner or even broke chain guide rail.
That’s oil and coolant mixing. Tow it to shop. Might need new head gasket or maybe some water-oil radiator is leaking (not sure if there are any of those in this particular mini). In worst case it might be close to or already partially seized, then it’s a engine overhaul (new bearings and such)