I agree that it is the type of fluid. I also flushed out both my tanks when I got my MINI. Mine have never weeped, but they do dribble a drop or 2, and the el cheapo washer fluid I have always used has never left a stain that either a wash, or a a little QD would not get rid of, even the high test, good to minus 50 stuff I used to use back up in Manitoba.

Mark

 

very interesting...will it hurt to get those check valves installed anyway?

 

Not at all. I haven't heard of a dealer that isn't well aware of the issue. Literally thousands of people have had it done under warranty. But I'd also flush the fluid out after and put in different stuff.

 

So the dealer installed the check valves, but they didn't want to attempt to clean the stripes for fear of damaging them. They wanted to replace them, but before I tell them yes, I wanted to know if the replacement stripes look just as good as the original ones.

 

As long as you have factory stripes, then yeah, they're exactly the same.

 

Be SURE they are replacing them "free"

 

Yeah I got my stripes at the factory, so I assume the replacement ones will look exactly alike.

 

Just FYI, my dealer was very aware of this issue and I assume that every dealer will be. It has apparently affected even the R53s.

Back to the vinyl stripes, the dealer is offering to replace them. Should I go that route or try to clean them myself? They don't wanna clean 'em for fear of damaging or scratching them.

 

I would recommend replacing them. When they are off be sure to closely examine the paint to be sure there is no stain there as well. If so make them get it out before they put the stripes back on.

 

What would be the harm in them trying to clean them? They are already damaged by the stains, not that they shouldn't replace them.

Mark

 

Mark, I'm willing to bet that there is some paint damage as well. At least there was around my jets. No amount of claying or polishing with the PC could get it out. After a close inspection and various angles, if the paint is fine then try to clean them. If it doesn't work have them replaced and if there are paint issues let the dealer worry about it.

 

Well the dealer has had the car since yesterday fixing some of the other issues. they told me that they don't bother cleaning the stripes...they just replace them when they're stained like this. My SA said that he thought it would be hard to clean the stains of the stripes. There was some stainage around the nozzles as well, but QD got that off pretty easily. I told them to go ahead and replace them.

 

Question about cleaning the stripes, Mine has swirls and scratches on them. How do you get those out?

 

I've got white vinyl stripes. The best thing I've used to clean them is Soft Scrub. After washing, and before claying, I taped off the paint on either side of the stripes and carfully wiped on a little Soft Scrub with a microfiber applicator pad. Wiped up and down along the lenght of the stripes and brought them back to brand-new looking. Then I proceeded with claying, polishing and waxing the rest of the bonnet.

 

Since I don't have the black pin stripes any longer, polishing the stripes is done at the same time as the paint using Prima Swirl and my PC. When I had pin stripes I would have to tape those off so they did not fade when polishing.
So now I treat my paint and stripe the same. Makes both really shiny!

 

When you refer to taping, what exactly do you mean ? I"m coming up on my first wax with Prima products and do not want to damage the bonnet stripes (white with black pinstripes).

Cheers.

 

If you are planning to use a PC with polish, taping the black pins with some blue painter tape will keep the printed on black pins from fading. The white body of the stripe is fine with polish. After polishing remove the tape for waxing.

 

Thanks for the info ! No PC for me yet... just hand application for the time being.

 

Still, be careful next to the black pins. If you are planning to use polish, I would probably tape them even if you are not using a PC.

 

mlwagner......where did you get your information..."the dealer will cover any damage under warranty" ...??? took our 05 with 23k miles and dealer (service manager in texas) said they wouldn't help us... ...? where is your dealer?? now what? any ideas?
Clearly the driver side washer jet has paint/clear coat damage 2-3 inches from the jet dripping down towards the headlight. You have to get right up on it to see it but it is there and from no fault of mine......I'm guessing cuz we have a PURPLE HAZE they don't want to mess with it. I'm thinking that shouldn't matter though...thanks for help I just need to get pointed in right direction....michael

 

As long as you are still under warranty it should be covered. There are dozens of stories here on NAM about people with identical damage whose cars were repaired under warranty.

You can use this website to local the service bulletin that pertains to your issue and car model: http://www.minitechinfo.com/

Sorry your dealer was non-compliant. Go in armed with the service bulletin and they'll sing a different tune.

 

mlwagner...thanks for your quick response!
WOW! I didn't realize I would have to pay $30 to access the information ( well worth it---but i just want to be sure that is the only route ). I have put a call into the OTHER mini dealer in houston, if they say no as well this will be my last recourse...michael

 

This thread has a ton of information as well, including information from folks who have had stripes replaced/paint repaired under warranty due to leaking jets: click.

 

mlwagner.....you rock!
the service manager at the dealer must be reading my posts!!! they called us yesterday and told us they were going to fix/repair/replace the scratches on the side windows of the cabriolet top! I will print out the posts you referenced and see if they relent on the repaint of the hood. I already had emailed the OTHER houston dealer and they are very concerned to make this right....amazing 180 degree change of atitude from one to the other.
once again thanks for your help! now....if i could just get rid of this KIA loaner and get my hands on a clubman while my cabrio is getting fixed!!!! michael

 

What is QD?