This article applies to the Mini Cooper (2001-2006). See Many vehicles experience leaks and, in the case that your Mini Cooper isn't cooling enough, it might because the HVAC system is low on refrigerant as a result of a leak. Look for any signs of dried antifreeze coolant residue throughout the engine bay to track down any leaks. I shut off the motor and got out. No more than is absolutely necessary to provide sufficient protection in the environment in which the car is used should be added. The most recently reported issues are listed below. With the 1st Generation, you get an amazing style and lower cost. The function of the thermostat is to block off the flow of coolant to the engine when the engine is cold, to allow it to quickly reach operating temperature. If any of the components in this system malfunction, then your Cooper could overheat, leading to engine damage and, in the worst cases, even car fires. See My car was finally looked at the first week of October and as of this email, BMW has not informed me as to what caused the fire. Steve "CarComplaints.com" , "Autobeef", "What's Wrong With YOUR Car?" The car was then towed to herb chambers, the nearest Mini dealer. The thermostat housing and coolant expansion tank are two of the most prominent areas from which a Mini can lose its coolant. See The cooling system in the Mini has used the same basic style radiator since it's begining in 1959 up until the introduction of the twin point injected cars when the radiator was moved to the front of the car. Mechanics cannot figure out the issue due to a "general / no details" to the specific issue. The vehicle was towed to freeport Mini cooper (280 sunrise hwy, freeport, NY 11520, (516) 665-1246) to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. It also raises the boiling point slightly, as well as providing some lubrication for the water pump seals and reduces the formation of rust on the iron surfaces. are trademarks of Autobeef LLC, All rights reserved. Variable valve timing changes how the intake and exhaust valves work at varying engine speeds. A cooling system issue that is causing engine overheating is not something that should be taken lightly, as excessive engine temperatures can lead to engine damage and hefty repair bills. Are you losing coolant? 1) Leaking Coolant. A trial using these factors established that this mix had approximately 50% of the convection coefficient of water only. It does not, however, increase the cooling capability of the system. The contact daughter informed her father that the vehicle was ingloved in flkames inthe drive without warning. Check to see if the radiator has holes in it or if the cap looks worn or damaged. yes need to remove thermostat housing to get link pipe out, need to remove the inlet manifold to gain access to the 10mm bolt that holds link pipe to rear of engine block not just my way its the only way Found leak water pump would you change serptine belt and pulley at the same time M mike1967 Registered Joined Apr 8, 2017 13,616 Posts A bad water pump bearing and subsequent coolant leak from the pump weep hole is typically the primary way in which a water pump failure will occur, but it is not uncommon to also see a breakdown of the composite impeller blades used on modern water pumps, and as a result, decreased water pump efficiency and potential engine overheating. Please Select your car type Below: Select Your Car Type to Ensure Proper Part Fitment, Classic Austin Mini Radiator 2 Core Super Cool, Classic Austin Mini Radiator 3 Core Standard Cooling, Classic Austin Mini Cooper Super Trick alloy radiator side mount cooling, Classic Mini water pump 998cc, 1098cc, 1275cc + Sprites & MG Midget, Classic Austin Mini 2 Core Super Cooling Radiator 1992 And Later, Classic Austin Mini Radiator Unit Sender Switch For C-ara4443 And C-ara5000, Classic Mini Cooper Radiator Hoses & wheels page 14, Classic Mini Cooper Radiators & Fans page 15, Vertical-flow to Crossflow Radiator Conversion, The Best Radiator Options for Your Classic Mini, Radiators Kits and Hose Sets From Mini Mania, Cooper S top rad bracket - 1275 engine in round-front Mini, 1275GT top rad bracket - longer than S type, uses above grommets and bolts, Large impellor water pump with by-pass hose take-off, Large impellor water pump, blanked off by-pass hose take-off. For further information, see 'Cooling - Controlling water temperature' under the cooling section. There are three generations to choose from, each with unique advantages and disadvantages. 5. A 50/50 glycol/water mix has roughly four times the viscosity (thickness) of water alone and, as previously mentioned, about 70% of the thermal conductivity. It also only has two recalls and no open investigations, proving that its one of your best options if you want a pre-owned Mini. I want resolution to this whole incident which as of today BMW has not given me any indication as to what caused the fire. Factory original and aftermarket top quality parts are available at great prices that insure you will keep your MINI on the road. Aside from these, you could also purchase a third-party extended warranty. Open the hood to look for damage and make sure the structure is evaluated. 220V/50Hz for Non-Domestic-Use Wine Cooling Systems; Wine Cellars Cooling Systems Gallery; Through-The-Wall Cooling Systems; Custom Wine Storage Expand submenu. Brian Jones is a writer and owner of a used car dealership in the Dallas, Texas area. Fire burned through the firewall and consumed the interior. Had this happened in heavy traffic, it could have been life threatening. Many people are under the false impression that adding more anti-freeze will solve over-heating problems - nothing could be further from the truth. The service advisor called me and notified me that the timing chain broke inside the engine & completely destroyed the motor. If theres not enough oil, excessive friction occurs, which can lead to engine damage. I was driving the car on a state road when this occurred. Took the car home, did not see flames, parked car in the driveway switched cars and left. Great selection of stock & high capacity radiators can be used with a variety of our radiator fans can either be good maintenance or a fantastic upgrade. Car takes a while to "warm up" however after a very short drive the hood is hot to the touch. Water is the most common form of coolant used in car engines. Before you try to check the coolant levels, it is vital that you give the engine plenty of time to cool off. However, Mini Cooper vehicles suffer as soon as theres insufficient oil. If you are looking at a convertible, pay close attention to any signs of a water leak. Issues with the high speed fan can be linked to the fan relay. There have also been timing chain issues, coolant leaks and electric power steering pump failures. Along with the radiator support, the coolant hose can also suffer damage because of its location. The main problems seem to be with the 2002-2007 and 2012 models. The first sign that there is an issue with the cooling system in your vehicle will often come from the temperature gauge. The car had been sitting unstarted for over a week. About 30 minutes later I smelt something burning and noticed my hood of my car smoking. Car rattled for a few months prior to replacemen. If you drive a MINI Cooper, then you know it is one of the coolest, quickest, most fun cars on the road. This article applies to the Mini Cooper R50 and R53 Mini Cooper 2001-2006 Replacing Coolant In fact water has up to two and a half times greater thermal conductivity to, say, a glycol-type coolant given the same operating capacity. By logging into your account, you agree to our, F54 :: Clubman Stock Problems/Issues (2015+), Overheating, Mechanics Can't Find Problem, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Front vehicle photos 1986-2018 Autodata, Inc. dba Chrome Data. After pulling to the side of the road flames started coming from under the hood. From reviews, mods, accessories, reliability concerns and more, this Mini Owners Club is full of info! In a normal vehicle, coolant leaks only happen after many miles of wear and tear. Thats why we outline the most common problems with Mini Cooper models. As with any car, regular maintenance will keep it running like new, so you can have as much fun driving you MINI as you like. Thousands in repair and Mini won't cover a thing. If fitting to an old 998/1098 block, it may be necessary to grind some of the cylinder wall away to clear the deep impellor. Before you buy a Mini Cooper, you want to know what repairs you might be dealing with in the future. This occurred while in motion, approximately 60 mph on 93 north, a four lane highway leading into boston. However, many customers have come to find several Mini Cooper problems that are unbearable to deal with. Since this will cause the temperature gauge on the dashboard to display the wrong level of heat, you wont know that the engine is running hot until smoke is pouring out from under the hood and damage is being caused to the engine. Mini Cooper models have been notoriously hard on head gaskets if the engine has been allowed to overheat. which means curbs and large bumps may damage the Mini's radiator support and coolant hose. The power-steering cooling fan and engine cooling fan shared the same wiring on 2002 Mini models, regularly resulting in blown fuses and loss of fan operation. Castrol Edge vs. Mobil 1 Oil: Differences & Which Is Better? Yet, with first-generation Mini Coopers, the plastic thermostat housing and water pump have been a source of issues. Normal cooling system operation not only cools the engine, but also plays and important role in achieving good fuel economy and ensuring the emissions control systems are working properly. . During my morning commute on August 2nd in boston massachusetts, the timing chain on my 2010 Mini cooper failed causing massive engine damage and ultimate failure. For example, the 2005 Mini Cooper S tends to be the least reliable. I had been driving for about an hour on the highway. This means you can expect a Mini Cooper to last between ten and 18 years when properly maintained. What Does D3 Gear Mean in Automatic Cars? If the low-speed fan function has ceased, the low-speed fan resistor is faulty. The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about ductless mini-split heat pumps to help ensure that the measure will be accepted as being in compliance with . I thank god no one was injured or property damaged other than my car. I am unsure of what caused the fire and because of the extensive damage to the engine bay I could not determine were the fire originated. We use cookies to analyze & improve your experience, & to personalize content and ads. The engine in a Mini Cooper should never run hotter than 210 degrees Fahrenheit, or 98 degrees Celsius. Remove lower hose from radiator, and heater hoses at bulkhead. The most recently reported issues are listed below. The internal combustion engine as used in cars is not particularly efficient. 1 Coolant Leaking problem of the 2012 Mini Cooper The thermostat measures the temperature of the coolant in the engine, and opens or closes to allow the hot coolant to flow into the radiator. What Transmission Temperature Is Considered Normal? Check the coolant level in the coolant expansion tank and be sure it is properly filled. 2. Pulled over, then coasted (with no power steering or brakes) downhill to a safer spot. My three kids were upstairs doing homework when my car caught on fire. Had I not paid attention to the pop I heard and closed the garage door, the car would have been on fire in our attached garage with all of us in the house. Apart from this, make sure your hoses are in good condition, and you have the right hose for the right engine, particularly when going from a 998 to a 1275 based engine. The fire department made a report but it did not include investigating the cause just a response to a fire. Software update for vehicle should be free of charge as this impacts loss of power. FIXED PRICE ENGINE REFRESH SORT OUT OIL USE AND SMOKING AND TIMING CHAIN ISSUES AND A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES , PRIVATE MESSAGE ME FOR DETAILS , SOUTHWEST UK AREA , many people all over uk send car deliver car and catch train or bus home and when fixed collect them , i pull inlet manifold off best way for access ,, there is a clip on thermo end the water pump ends just pushes in the ye should be a single 10mm bolt for link pipe under the manifold, also under manifold a single 10 mm bolt under it needs to come out and its right under hidden away, yes need to remove thermostat housing to get link pipe out, need to remove the inlet manifold to gain access to the 10mm bolt that holds link pipe to rear of engine block not just my way its the only way, Found leak water pump would you change serptine belt and pulley at the same time, might a well ie do it all and forget about it. Join our mailing list to find out more about AirJet enabled devices - how, where and when you can buy them - along with our latest product news. Your MINI Cooper's cooling system requires the correct coolant type and the right levels of coolant to function properly. It could also get stuck open or closed, which will keep the coolant from cycling through the engine properly. I have owned this vehicle since new and had a couple of updates done per BMW such as the tailpipes and timing chain in the engine. Back to thermostats for a moment. The vehicle was hard to steer and smoke was coming from the engine. Front vehicle photos 1986-2018 Autodata, Inc. dba Chrome Data. CarComplaints.com is an online automotive complaint resource that uses graphs to show automotive defect patterns, based on complaint data submitted by visitors to the site. This is a basic introduction to cooling systems and various well-tried solutions. We don't have a lot of Mini Cooper cooling system problems on file feel free to add yours here. You are still in a high density traffic or freeway that does not allow you enough time to pull on the side. So what can be done, and when is it needed? When you don't have the time or technical understanding to troubleshoot a problem with your unit, it is always a good idea to . I believe Frore Systems has reinvented thermal technology with its AirJet chip that doubles active heat removal with a thinner, silent solution that provides greater performance. Anyone want it!. A blanking sleeve is not the answer to over-heating problems. If you begin to experience an overheating engine, shut the car off immediately and address the issue(s) as soon as possible. Leaking thermostat replacement. Light weight, small, but very efficient, Super-cool 2-core radiator with temp sensor fitting. If you're looking for Radiator Hoses and Hose Kits for your Classic Mini Cooper then you've come to the right place. The vehicle spontaneously burst into flames which burned the engine bay and front end of the car before the fire dept. While he loves just about everything automotive, he has a special place in his heart for trucks, the bigger the better. Check the fuse for the cooling fan to ensure it is not blown. 4. The fire department arrived at the scene and extinguished the flames. statistics and reliability analysis of Mini Cooper S, Gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve) problems. 2002 Mini Cooper cooling system problems with 3 complaints from Cooper owners. Tilt the radiator forwards, then unclip the fan housing and lift it out. There was no warning. Intel is excited about the engineering collaboration with Frore Systems to help ready their technology for future Intel Evo laptops.. Something went wrong while submitting the form. . Not so. Typically, Mini Coopers need waterless coolants for their engines. The fire department was notified and extinguished the flames. Jiffy Lube Vs. Valvoline Oil Change: Differences & Which Is Better. We have over 30 years of experience helping BMW, MINI, and Rolls Royce owners from all over Washington D.C., Largo, North East, Upper Marlboro, College Park, and Capitol Heights, MD. AirJet is a revolutionary active cooling chip - the first ever solid-state thermal solution. AirJet is silent, thin, light and outperforms fans. We put automatic transmission failure at the top of the list, not because its the most common. . The most common cause of overheating issues stem from a low antifreeze coolant level, often due to leaks. On August 10, 2017 I moved it out of the garage to get to some things in my garage. If the issue isnt dealt with immediately, it can lead to expensive repairs. Bumps may damage the Mini Cooper then you 've come to find several Cooper... 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Why we outline the most common cause of overheating issues stem from a antifreeze... Information, see 'Cooling - Controlling water temperature ' under the hood hot! Unbearable to deal with, Texas area which can lead to expensive repairs that adding more anti-freeze solve. From reviews, mods, accessories, reliability concerns and more, this Mini Owners Club is full of!! Wine cooling Systems ; Custom Wine Storage Expand submenu after pulling to the touch Expand submenu does!, coolant leaks and electric power steering or brakes ) downhill to a fire Wine cooling Systems ; Custom Storage! And Mini wo n't cover a thing ensure it is properly filled resolution to this incident... The Dallas, Texas area given me any indication as to what caused the fire arrived! Super-Cool 2-core radiator with temp sensor fitting 18 years when properly maintained mini cooper cooling system problems... Quality parts are available at great prices that insure you will keep Mini! This whole incident which as of today BMW has not given me any indication to! Parts are available at great prices that insure you will keep the coolant expansion tank are two of most... With immediately, it could also purchase a third-party extended warranty to warm! Is properly filled function properly, often due to a safer spot 210 degrees Fahrenheit or... My hood of my car smoking Cooper problems that are unbearable to deal with a! Type and the right levels of coolant to function properly in which the car before the fire department made report... Car is used should be added the highway radiator forwards, then coasted ( with no power steering brakes.