Mini Countryman coolant problems

[Ashamas]

Help and advice much appreciated on the following.
Mini Countryman 1.6L petrol 2013 model. Around 55K on the clock. - Coolant dropping to almost empty every 8-10 weeks. Having to top up. Cannot see any leaks on the drive. First came to my attention when we went away for two weeks in the summer and I came back to a completely dry chamber. Had a garage put in on the ramp but they cannot see any defects. The only issue I have with the car is every summer I have to get the air con regased which lasts the whole summer - repairing this would be well out of my budget for how long I want to keep the car ( I do use the aircon in winter one a week for 10 minutes as advised to keep it maintained but still has no effect and have to get it regassed annually - they just think it is a small slow air on leak - any links with the coolant problem you think?). Have no idea where to start with this problem with the coolant. Equally this car model doesn’t tell you on the dash when it’s low ( just like when oil is low) so I have to constantly check and worry if the coolant level has dropped. Hope you can help and point me in the right direction guys. Just worried that one of these days I will drive the car on an empty coolant ( forgetting to check obssessively) without realising and I would have wrecked the engine.
Much appreciated

[stevemcs]

Have a look at the top of the gearbox towards the end of the cylinder head and see if you can see any staining like a white powder, its possibly the thermostat starting to leak.

[rigga]

+1 on the thermostat housing, had mine replaced a couple of months back, very common source of coolant leaks.

[Asham]

Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated.
Will check this out.
Someone mentioned there could be a crack in the gasket? Thoughts?