You need a new water pump.

Quick update, I had checked under the car and a fair amount of antifreeze flowed out.  I refilled with plain ole hose water and ran the car up to temp and let sit, cool down, open the rad cap....  Nothing came out.  I went for a couple short drives and temp never rose past just below half way (normal for the car ever since I've owned it).  My wife had her car in the shop and took my Ridgeline for herself so I daily drove the Mini 30 miles to work, 30 miles home for all last week.  No issues whatsoever.

I do still want to check out the water pump and probably replace it, just in case.  I also will have to drain the water out for winterization.  But I'm wondering if maybe something clogged the "hole" antifreeze was leaking from?  Or is water not as molecularly small as antifreeze?

It is merely sweat from all that horsepower!!

Nice to rent a ' radiator pressure tool. from Advance auto or Autozone..

Add pressure to system start looking for the driibble.  Follow it to the source.

 More than likely Waterpump.

Don't worry about the by pass hose comment as the 1275 does not have one fitted.

I'll check, I took the grill off and that is where I saw it running down the block, but couldn't pin point further.


Sorry about that.  I've got a 1993 SPI

You don't indicate what year your Mini is or what engine you have.

If it is a small bore it could also be leaking from the by pass hose which is best to replace with a small piece of 1/2 id heater hose.

Yes the anti freeze mixture on the belt could cause it to squeal.

Yes, there is a drain hole at the bottom of the water pump.  Take the grille off and you should be able to see the bottom of the pump (out towards where the fan goes) and should be able to see any escaping fluid.

"I also noticed my belt now squeals.  Could it just be rad fluid on the belt, or the water pump pulley causing the friction?.."

If you loosen the fan belt you should be able to reach up and turn the pump to see whether it feels stiff/notchy ..or otherwise not healthy ..

Cheers, Ian

I replaced the radiator when I first got my Mini in 2016 and hadn't had any issues up until a few months ago I noticed the oil drip pan under my car had green rad fluid on it.  I don't get much time to inspect but have noted when I open the rad cap the flow increases to a steady drip.  After dripping enough and creating a vacuum the drip stops.  I've seen it running down the front of the block coming from around near the fan pulley area.  Would this be the water pump seal probably went bad?  Any other things I should look for other than the obligatory "check the lines" since I'll do that too?  I don't get to drive the car much anymore, but I move it out of the shop and let it run once in a while and never have any smoking.  Even topping off and going out for a drive, the car never got hot or smoked.

I also noticed my belt now squeals.  Could it just be rad fluid on the belt, or the water pump pulley causing the friction?