Hi Folks!


A 2004 S Model with a supposed “blown supercharger”. Upon my initial viewing of the car, it started right up and idled at a normal temp just fine for about 15 minutes or so as I poked around the car. It didn’t seem like to rough of an undertaking to bring the MINI back up to snuff so I negotiated a deal with the owner and came back the next day to pick it up.

The first 5 minutes of the 15-minute drive home was blissful. Until I looked down at the center gauge and saw the temp gauge illuminated. I pulled over immediately. Being that I was so close to home I let the car cool down a bit drove it until it got hot shut I’d down, and repeated this process to get home.

Fast forward a couple of weeks having replaced the thermostat, and coolant reservoir and properly bleeding the cooling system the overheating problem has improved but has not been eliminated.

And yet a new issue altogether has emerged. The car has developed a no-start condition. Initially, I thought it was just a dead battery. I ran to Walmart and grabbed a brand new battery, installed it and to my surprise...still nothing.

I replaced the starter. And it fired right up, problem solved right? Nope. I’ve started the car maybe 5 times and now the no start condition has returned. I proceed to replace the ignition switch, still nothing. Having owned an e39 and an L322 Range Rover I have PASoft which is also compatible with the MINI I checked the EWS and all is good. The key is good, the starter is enabled. No red flags...

I’m stumped. When I turn the key I get a single click but no crank. What am I not thinking of here? Is there a relay or something that I’m overlooking? Did I get a bad starter?

I’m ready to dig in and replace the rest of the cooling system on this car but the no crank issue is plaguing me.

 

Does it still have the plastic coolant tank? If so, it is most likely split and causing more overheating, which is common with the R53.
Many of us choose to replace the tank with an aluminum tank, that takes the factory cap.

I feel it is best to buy a tank that takes the factory cap
These engines are a pain to get bled well. There is a bleeder on the upper radiator hose. Make sure to have the heater temp turned to hot. fan can be low.
As for the starter, the solinoid failed, the wire is not tight, or something like that. (most likely)

 

I would check to make sure your ground straps are in good order. Once you get the car stated, with a volt meter, check to see what your running voltage is????

 

If you were told it had a blown supercharger they may have meant the drive on the back of it was bad and the water pump isn't turning. This is a common failure on them.

For your no start condition go back to basics and start checking grounds for the engine as the starters rarely go bad, it is normally the engine ground left loose from the last mechanic or as I've found the bracket for it being cracked.

 

So the no start ended up being a bad alternator again. Just bum-luck getting a defective unit that had me on a wild goose chase.

Tear-down revealed that the drive gear on the back of the supercharger had indeed failed. Luckily I was able to source a replacement supercharger locally. Just waiting fora break in my busy schedule to be able to put the car back together.

I also discovered today that the pulley on the old s/c is an Alta 15%! Score.

Thanks for the help. I cant wait to get this car running well so I can move on to fun mini stuff.

 

MINI's of that era have well know problem with the "thing" that controls the electric fan for the radiator.

One way of checking it, is to turn the A/C 'on' ,and see if the radiator fan also immediately goes 'on' too (even if the cooling system is still cool/cold).

The "thing" runs the radiator fan at a low speed by changing electric current into heat. However, that heat can easily burn the "thing" out.

 

I'm guessing this "thing" is a resistor of some sort? Thanks for the tip. I'll keep a heads-up for that in the future. So far the fan seems to function as it should.

I finally got some time this evening to get to work on this car. Old s/c off, and new s/c on with the new water pump. Reassembly could not have gone smoother...almost too smooth.

Cleaned the throttle-body, replaced the plastic bleed screw with a brass one, and decided to keep the stock pulley for a couple of reasons. I'll likely regret this decision soon, I'm aware. But I'll keep the Alta pulley for later. All that is left is to swap out the radiator on the front clip and put the bumper back on. I'll likely do an oil/filter change with Liqui-Moly, and a new magnetic drain plug somewhere in the midst of all that. OEM Coolant, bleed the system and pray to baby Jesus.

The previous owner expressed that they recently replaced the clutch, did the control arms, and replaced the brakes...though I don't usually give too much credence to these kinds of statements made by someone selling me a car.

To keep a register of all the recent maintenance including the previous owner's claims I wanted to list it all out.

Coolant Reservoir
Thermostat
Waterpump
Supercharger
Radiator
Oil Change
OEM Coolant
Front Brakes
Clutch
Control Arm Bushings
Battery
Starter

If it's on the list. I've replaced it within the last month.


I hope to report back to NAM a happy camper.

 

The speed control is an important fix and here is a pic of where and what it looks like:

Speed control on lower left. It installs right under where it sits.

 

Thanks Wayne. I'll keep an eye on that for sure.


How many wires should connect to the starter?

When I disassembled the starter the first time the starter only had two wires attached to it. However, there looks like there are supposed to be 3 wires. I'm guessing 1. Positive, 2. ignition switch. 3. Ground?

Would not having a ground on the starter cause the alternator not to charge the battery while the car is running?

 

Finally got the Mini all sorted out and road legal!!

I’ve solely driven the Mini since Monday with no issues at all covering about 100miles (my office is 2 miles from my house). Howcome no one ever told me how immensely fun to drive these cars are?? I’ve owned many E30s, which I had always regarded as the standard of how a car should handle...tight, and precise..

I can’t say that the E30s feel like go carts anymore, the Mini has stolen that title. The car feels very BMW in many ways which I enjoy. So far, after a rough first impression, this Mini is the best $900 spent in a long time for me.

NAM, you’ll be hearing from me