My mini recently has just dumpted a whole lot of radiator fluid on my garage floor. It occured after a drive to penrith and back. Had no heating problems just a puddle of the stuff on the floor

Today not having driven it since i opended to cap to check the fluid level, low of course. on opening the cap a small puddle then formed again. The fluid is coming down along the side of the engine but not from the top.
While having the car running the radiator cap was off and i found the fulid to turn brown like mud and some foam on the top.

Should i replace the radiator fluid becouse of the colour of it and do you have any suggestions where the leak may be coming from? or is the problem more serious and the car needs a trip to the doctor.

thanks

It could be the Water punp of the small hose that goes betweent the water pump and the head. Check to see if it is them and Yes change the fluid if it has gone brown it should be of a bright colour but that depends on the type yu use.

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A Bloody Mini

1970 Mini K, 1380cc, 1.75 HIF SU, 30 70 Cam, 2" Zorts
1969 Mini K, Stock Standard and Orginal. (Slow as Hell)

Ok thanks i will change the fluid tommorrow and try to isolate the leak.

Could that be some rusting inside the radiator that could have caused it to go brown?

No that is just form age and it not been change for some time.

The rad does not rust only the head and block can corrode

Also check the rad for any leaks when there is pressure in the system with the cap on the rad

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A Bloody Mini

1970 Mini K, 1380cc, 1.75 HIF SU, 30 70 Cam, 2" Zorts
1969 Mini K, Stock Standard and Orginal. (Slow as Hell)

um guys brown sludge ..........
look and see if the oil is the same i think you may have blowen a head gasket when water gets like this it means oil and water are mixing so yeah i think ya may need the head done i know a guy who has a good head guy out near st marys let me know if ya need help
makka

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and radiators do rust that is why when you have a rad done the force metal rods through the core to remove rust and sclae
makka

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When i replace the fluid shoud i run some water or someting through it before i fill it back up and how can you empty the overflow resovior

first things first cooms find out if it is a blowen head gasket b4 you wast money were are you situated in sydney ??
makka

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Baulkham Hills
How would i know if the head gasket it blown?

well the when you run the motor you say there is a sorta foam is it harder to start than normal is it using oil ???
i'm buying a compression tester tomorrow if ya want i'll have a look at it for ya useual fee can of jd
makka
0412 938 072

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appreciate the offer makka but my brothers a mechanic so will seek advice from him first

Man u guys a so friendly love these forums

good idea mate the only reason i charge a can is to cover diesel

i love my cruiser
makka

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If you've blown a head gasket, chances are you'd have water in your oil. Check the oil, water is imediately noticeable as it separates from the oil on the dipstick.

Is there a white sludge that turns black when you rub it bw your fingers forming on the bottom of the radiator cap?

Also could be a hole in the radiator. When you open the cap the liquid is displaced by air and rushes out.

We checked the oil and found that there was no water in it so hopefully its not the head gasket.
When i took the cap off and had the car running it was dripping but not pouring out and had some while foam on the top of the radiator but not that much.
going to put it up on ramps this afternoon and empty the radiator and try to work out where the leak it coming from.
Where abouts on the radiator is the cap to empty it out?

check underneath the radiator dude thats where mine is

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