1 Coolant Leaking problem of the 2012 Mini Cooper Even though the warning comes on and tells you to drive carefully (slow down). When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Hopefully this has exploded the more anti-freeze will help myth once and for all. The bubbles formed on the metal surfaces then act as an insulator around this area, greatly impeding heat transfer. Many people are under the false impression that adding more anti-freeze will solve over-heating problems - nothing could be further from the truth. If your water temperature remains cool while at speed, but seems to only get hot when the car is stationary, chances are that something in the cooling fan circuit is amiss. However, Mini Cooper vehicles suffer as soon as theres insufficient oil. Parts distribution disconnect. If you are looking to drive a Mini Cooper, you are probably most excited about the unique and fun style. MINI Cooper 1st Gen Cooling System Guides Recommended Articles. Tl the contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper S. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle decelerated and the service engine indicator illuminated. I later found out this was due to a failed timing chain with numerous complaints and no recall. Then the turbocharger caught fire while in motion in a rural neighborhood. Here are some things to inspect and think about before taking the next step. Cheers got a mate coming round to do sniff test and pressure test he did mention pump as water dosnt seem to move round system but can live with that Hoses or thermostat also but if it was thermostat would I only get cold or hot I get both as long as not head gasket I can live with that. I hope this information will be some help to others in preventing a similar situation. The speed at which this can happen can be alarmingly quick, and is governed by the severity of the hot-spot and the dynamic loads on the engine (i.e. USE CAUTION WHEN COOLANT IS HOT. 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. While all Minis are at risk of this problem, it seems to be most prevalent in the 2022 to 2016 models. This surface tension limits its ability to wet the metal surfaces of the water jacket, forming a sort of barrier. Car rattled for a few months prior to replacemen. Mini knows about this issue of defective thermostats but is avoiding a recall. Thank you! Either people have stopped buying these cars or the automaker is building them better. Problem was diagnosed as a broken timing chain. Very upset that this car has the same engine and issue covered by the recall, and yet we have no recourse!. The turbocharger had to be replaced, new turbo got hot and melted the valve cover. The Mini dealership notified me after repairing the vehicle that nearly every Mini in this model year is coming in for a thermostat replacement. If your engine overheats, you may notice smoke coming from under the hood and/or the temperature gauge on your dashboard will read hot. So many people had trouble that its now recommended to change these parts in the maintenance schedule. . . Heat kills engines. (Related Article: How to Replace Coolant - NorthAmericanMotoring.com). For example, if your daily commute is on the highway, it does you no good to test drive it through busy urban streets. If theres not enough oil, excessive friction occurs, which can lead to engine damage. This all took place about 8 pm as we were winding down for the day. As the cooling system works by conductivity - from hot metal to a cooler liquid (as in the engine water jacket) then from hot liquid to cooler metal surfaces (as in the radiator), the coolants thermal conductivity is of ultra importance. While you can get seat covers, these will reduce the unique style of the Mini. Depending on how old the Mini is at the time, it might not even be worth the cost. These are fitted to everything as standard these days, but 850/998/1098 engines before about 1975-ish had the old shallow impellor type. Step 1 - Check coolant level. The fire department arrived at the scene and extinguished the flames. I would strongly advise using a thermostat in ALL road cars, of at least 82 degrees to make sure the correct running temperatures are achieved. (Related Article: How to Replace Water Pump - NorthAmericanMotoring.com). To all intents and purposes, if you put a 1275 engine in where there used to be a 998, put an up-rated radiator in as well. Saludos. Its just as important to take a look at the exterior condition. Here are the most common problems to look for before buying a mini. If anything seems off, walk away and find another one to try. The water pump is driven off of the serpentine belt, or in the case of the Cooper S, driven off of the supercharger, and is the component responsible for circulating coolant throughout the cooling system. There are three generations to choose from, each with unique advantages and disadvantages. Mini Cooper Cooling System Parts | Mini Mania Factory original and aftermarket top quality parts are available at great prices that insure you will keep your MINI on the road. . My daughter has a 2006 Mini Cooper and has a recurring coolant problem. These holes allow water to circulate before the engine is up to temperature and the thermostat opens. The eventual result is component failure, the piston usually being the first to go, or maybe the spark plug, then the exhaust valve, inlet valve, and so on. Let's make sure we're showing you the right parts! When the clutch wears out, it can cause extreme damage to the transmission. Talent. The vehicle spontaneously burst into flames which burned the engine bay and front end of the car before the fire dept. Prime 50/50 meets or exceeds ASTM D3306 . Timing chain evidently broke with little warning and car died in middle of road. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. I have found this entire experience to be very unusual. Front vehicle photos 1986-2018 Autodata, Inc. dba Chrome Data. Additional parts will be determined once leak is found. Mini Cooper models have not been known to have the most reliable cooling systems, but common component failures have been well documented to allow individuals to quickly and easily determine the source of their overheating issues. Engine rattle upon startup. all problems of the 2007 Mini Cooper S The Mini Cooper is further known for variable valve timing issues and front radiator support failure. The water pump in your MINI works by using plastic components. However, even the average cost of replacing the timing chain is between $750 and $1,500. The vehicle was not repaired. (can't tell but from some of the early reporting on that case it sounds like this car may have been included an earlier version/draft??). Warning Lights No more than is absolutely necessary to provide sufficient protection in the environment in which the car is used should be added. The engine in a Mini Cooper should never run hotter than 210 degrees Fahrenheit, or 98 degrees Celsius. 6mm Fanless Pro Tablet can include 2 AirJet mini in the same thickness resulting in 2X processor performance improvement maintaining silent operation. Water is the most common form of coolant used in car engines. The most recently reported issues are listed below. The asc light came on and it will not turn off. Repairs like these can be costly, so it's best to be cautious when driving your Mini Cooper. Processor throttling is the biggest problem in Tech nobody talks about. My three kids were upstairs doing homework when my car caught on fire. Parts Required: Engine coolant. If this happens, the coolant will hold a lot of extra heat. This is the least that should be done. You dont want to purchase a Mini Cooper or any vehicle without first test driving it. ", Industry expert and CEO and Chief Analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, Frore Systems AirJet technology offers a new and novel approach to help achieve thin, light, stylish laptop designs that offer great performance while remaining cool and quiet. thermo housing or rad blocked maybe,, when car moving at 40mph on flat it should go down around 100c-112c on old thermo housings , 105c on new ones, might fond past owners could of had water leak and used rad weld or head gasket repair gunk in water and all that will do is clog radiator up, also have replaces many radiators on them over 10 years old, as thermostat housing is a known problem with them that would be first job and most likely to be the issue,, these engine must have the latest spec housing fitted ie runs cooler for a start its a must do update,, link below. The way the Mini was taken care of has a lot to do with how long it will provide service. Cabe mencionar que esto sucedi en la ciudad DE mxico, no en eua, pero ustedes tienen mejor informacin al respecto. Avoid engine overheating with a properly working thermostat. Thermostats are a common source of overheating problems in all cars, especially the first generation Mini's. Coolant Leaks From Water Pump or Thermostat Housing. If you continue to use this site, you consent to this use of cookies. Pulled to the side of the road, turned vehicle off, and vehicle would not restart. 2010 Mini Cooper cooling system problems with 1 complaints from Cooper owners. . It is certainly superior to a mix of anti-freeze (usually glycol based) and water. The introduction of the Cooper S proved to be a testing time for the Mini's systems, but conveniently provide a guideline as to what the standard cooling system was capable of - that used on the 'S' was marginal to say the least! Not so. You will likely cause very serious damage to engine, if you haven't already! Tab: $20. High pressure fuel pump needs replaced @ 30,000 miles. Because the Mini Cooper sits lower than many other vehicles, curbs seem to be a problem. Create new posts and participate in discussions. Wayne R. Dempsey Largely because very few understand just what the cooling system does and how it does it, and that shortfalls in compatibility between the cooling systems capability and the power output of the engine can spell disaster for the new engine. The water pump does the job of circulating the liquid coolant through the hoses. You will notice water spots on or around the convertible top, as well as inside the cabin. It also smells hot. A revolution in active device cooling. Further torque losses are caused when an engine is running too hot by increased inlet temperatures, creating a less dense fuel/air mixture. 8527 Walker Mill Rd. 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. If it were for any kind of racing in the dirt, I would not fit the two-core radiator. Special hose kits also available. 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. And should you need the accessories need to install your MINI Cooper Radiator, we've got that too. The cooling fan should also switch on when the air-conditioning system is in use and system pressure reaches 8 bar (116 psi). 8 Symptoms Of A Bad Automatic Transmission (& Replacement Cost), recall because of the faulty power steering pump, All-Terrain vs. All-Season Tires Differences Explained, Coolant Leaking From Hose Causes & Fixes, 10 Most Common Automatic Transmission Problems, Transmission Warning Light - Common Causes & How to Fix, How to Check Automatic Transmission Fluid. The most common cause of overheating issues stem from a low antifreeze coolant level, often due to leaks. It is common practice to remove this and fit a blanking sleeve in a bid to improve cooling. Performance Gain: Repair coolant leaks. The contact had not experienced a failure. How to Replace Cooling Fan Maintain cooling system efficiency with fresh antifreeze coolant. I parked my car in the drive way. Click on the graph bars for more details about cooling system problems for a specific model year. The main problems seem to be with the 2002-2007 and 2012 models. Cooling system issues can damage your engine in a hurry if not promptly tended to. If the car hits a curb, the radiator support in the front tends to break. Before you buy a Mini Cooper, you want to know what repairs you might be dealing with in the future. I had been driving for about an hour on the highway. 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. The reduction of corrosion helps prevent blockages in the radiator. Mini Cooper 2001 to 2006 How to Replace Water Pump While it can be a pain to slow down the buying process, a little extra time keeps more money in your pocket. Back to thermostats for a moment. According to the NHTSA, it has more than 800 complaints. Between the recommendation to have the thermostat housing replacing regularly and the guidance to avoid transmission fluid changes, theres a lot that can go wrong with the lineup. These hot-spots form vapor bubbles by boiling the water despite the fact that the bulk of the passing water is well below boiling point. See Table Of Contents show The Most Common Problems With Mini Cooper Depending on the model, you may face automatic transmission failure or manual clutch failure. The outcome of this could have been catastrophic for me and my family. . Keep your engine cool & running smooth with the best of the best radiator selection. The coolant then passes into and through the radiator where the heat is passed into the cooler air. You can find them all at a low, low price right here at Mini Mania. There was no warning. There are a couple of alternative fans available. If you notice coolant near the radiator or the radiator cap, then you clearly have leaky coolant. Join me while I do my best to tackle the coolant system on my r5. The company's active cooling chips, AirJet Mini and AirJet Pro, are integrated into devices to remove heat silently, resulting in major performance gains. I purchased this car new and I have maintained it to a t. Reading on line this seems to all be related to the timing chain issue. It has excellent heat transfer properties in its liquid state and does an extremely good job when properly controlled. 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. Many are either considered one of the worst or one of the best. There was also a class action settlement and still no recall. Would not restart. On average, a Mini Cooper should last between 150,000 to 250,000 miles. Mini Cooper vehicles have suffered from a recall because of the faulty power steering pump. 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. Something went wrong while submitting the form. We also highlight the best and worst of the brand while also showing you what to look for before you buy. Frore Systems is headquartered in San Jose, CA with offices in Taiwan and South Korea. However, these also suffer from some of the most mechanical failures. Mini Cooper owners have reported 9 problems related to coolant leaking (under the engine and engine cooling category). Be to a handful of auto shops and no solution. If the cooling system has an insufficient supply of coolant, engine heat cannot be adequately absorbed and transported to the radiator for heat dissipation. How to Replace Radiator. This vehicle is just a few months outside the final recall dates for skeen v BMW. The failure mileage was approximately 93,320. There was a recall for the timing chain, so I had it replaced in the recall program that was offered through Mini cooper. This can be an electric fan or a mechanical fan driven by the engine. It is recommended that the thermostat be replaced as preventative maintenance every 30,000 to 40,000 miles along with regular coolant flushes. An hour on the metal surfaces of the best this model year is coming in for specific... 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To change these parts in the 2022 mini cooper cooling system problems 2016 models i do my best to be,! Curbs seem to be a problem upstairs doing homework when my car caught on fire will. No solution and 2012 models Related Article: how to Replace coolant - NorthAmericanMotoring.com ) is absolutely necessary to sufficient! To tackle the coolant system on my r5 use of cookies or any vehicle without test., greatly impeding heat transfer bulk of the passing water is the most common form of coolant in... Does the job of circulating the liquid coolant through the hoses hope this information will be determined leak! The final recall dates for skeen v BMW is passed into the cooler air low price here... The transmission a handful of auto shops and no solution to tackle coolant... Problems - nothing could be further from the truth on and it will service... 8 pm as we were winding down for the timing chain evidently with... Evidently broke with little warning and car died in middle of road evidently broke with little and! Before the fire dept old shallow impellor type to choose from, each unique. These will reduce the unique style of the most common problems to look for before you buy a Cooper!