Overheating Nightmare!

[Bohoflo]

I've read so much in last few days about Mini's overheating and wondered if anybody had suffered the problem I have. I have owned my 2007 Cooper S for 2 years now. Three weeks ago when driving on Motorway the engine management light came on (yellow) and when I pulled up the engine cut out. Found it had lost its coolant and overheated, however at no time did the temperature gauge come on. The car was towed to nearest garage (not BMW) and had thermostat and housing replaced. Driving home from garage the engine management light again came on (yellow) and oil light (red). I pulled up immediately and left car overnight. When checked following day, again it had lost its coolant. Car taken to nearest garage (again, not BMW) who found that temp housing that had been fitted was faulty. This was replaced (again) but, despite not being driven any real distance, I continued to have problems with the car losing coolant. The car was then recovered to my nearest BMW garage. They have now told me that, not only is head warped but so is the block and I need an engine replacement. I'm gutted - before the car broke down there was no indication it was overheating and since thermostat replaced, I've only ever had intermittent and short lived yellow temperature warnings. The car has shown none of the usual indications of head gasket problems. As you can imagine, I'm in discussions with BMW on how this could have happened. Any help or similar experiences would be appreciated.

[Foodle]

Well as far as I know the temperature gauge is not that reliable. I believe it is a dummy gauge controlled by the on-board computer. If it finally does move to red its too late.

I fitted a scan gauge II which displays the actual coolant temperature in degrees centigrade or Fahrenheit, you get to choose. Plus up to three other readings. Plus it reads fault codes. Much more reliable.

Not much help to you, but it may help others.

Oh, i've just gone through the boiling coolant spewing out expansion box, new cylinder head, after market slow speed fan resistor, new radiator scenario.

But better than a new engine.

[Bohoflo]

Thanks Foodle - Seems like you've been through the same problems I have but been able to catch it in time to do something about it. Incidentally, BMW are stating that there is no warranty on the faulty part, or any liability for damage the faulty part may have caused, because the car should have been taken to them with the faulty part in still in situ! Again, I am in discussions with them about this but it might be something forum members should be aware of.

[Bohoflo]

By way of an update, BMW have come back to me with a goodwill offer. They have offered to cover 50% of the parts cost for the replacement engine but no contribution towards the labour cost. This means that the initial £6K bill they quoted me has now reduced to a £4k bill. Its still £4K more than I can afford. They have said that this is the most they can offer, as the car is outside its warranty. I'm going to seek further advice on this, particularly as I have concerns that the engine failure was due to a faulty part being fitted. Again, if anybody has any advice or experience they can share, this would be greatly appreciated.

[Bohoflo]

Just picked up my Cooper S after its £4k engine replacement. They have assured me that this has been checked thoroughly and that all the sensors have been checked and are working correctly. Been advised to run the engine in at no more than 4000 revs for the first 1,500 miles. Following this instruction, I have now done 3 journeys in the car - the first for around 10 miles, the second for about 4 miles and the third for around 4 miles as well. Its a cold night but on each trip the fan has come on and run for a few minutes once the car has been stopped. Does anybody know if this is normal?

[RikkiWhitehead]

Very normal for the fan to come on for up to half an hour. it can even come on up to 30/40 mins after you have stopped and locked the car for the fan to start running


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[Bohoflo]

Thanks for your reply Rikki, its just that I've had this particular car for 2 years now and, until all the problems I have just gone through with the car overheating, the fan has rarely come on.

[RikkiWhitehead]

Well that fans probably working as it should be now


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