[jonl1983]

this may sound like a stupid question but I would like a bit of advice. I was checking the oil etc on my mums mini cooper the other week and I noticed that the coolant was below the minimum mark (a good few mil). As I was going away with work I told her to take it to a garage just to get it checked and topped up.

The garage told her it was fine to be below the minimum level and did not need topping up, and gave her some story as to why it is always below minimum, but, charged her £20 for telling her this. Now, before I go down there and kick off with him can anyone tell me if this is correct? In my mind, if something is below minimum then that means it needs topping up??

I dont want to start shouting if I am in the wrong!

Thanks!

[mistryn]

I am with you, if its below minimum it needs topping up and if it goes does below again then investigation i.e. possible leak

That is why a minimum mark is there, what story did they give?

[makkan00]

If it is below minimum while the car is cold and parked, it should be topped up.
When was the last time it was checked? And over how long period of time it lost that amount?
Go back to garage and kick their nuts.

Buy OEM coolant (not any other after market) and top up the coolant level to max.
Keep close eye on it, and see after how long does it go to minimum.
Also its worthy to check all the pipes going to and from radiator to check if there is any leak.
How about the exhaust smoke? Any change in colour?
Also open the oil cover lid, and check if there is anything abnormal (mustard like stuff)?

Think positively but make sure you check all the possible problems.

[m1bjr]

Cheeky twats.

Name and shame, and post on the mini forums too.

Fill with a bit of clean water.

Twenty fecking quid.
Outrageous.

[Frobius]

Lol, it's meant to be below the minimum, cheeky bastards have taken her for a mug. I hate garages that just chin you off as though you know nothing. I usually keep quiet and play ignorant to try and assess if I can trust garages before my cars go in.

Meant to be below the minimum ffs, so what is there, a "real minimum"? A "really really real minimum, don't go below this" mark?!

I'd go down there and kick off.

[jonl1983]

Cheers guys. She took it to a local indie garage and Engine was checked when cold, he said that the coolant level expands when it gets hot so if it was between the min and max levels the system would get damaged

Taking the car down there later to get the £20 quid back, give him a piece of my mind for ripping an old woman off then get it topped up myself.

Robbing bunch of twats