Hi all. Been a reader for a long time here, but an unfortunate event has motivated me to "join" to pose a question/seek advice.

I bought an 02 MCS back in April with 42K on it. Paid $16 something for the car from a dealer here in Orlando, Fl. Had the car checked out by Downtown Mini and drove it for a few days to confirm I really wanted the car. I've been super pleased with every aspect of ownership and love driving it.

This past Monday I was going down an interstate here at roughly 70 MPH in 6th gear. I accelerated to change lanes and felt a hesistation. A few seconds later, nothing was happening when I pressed the accelerator. I glanced in the rear view mirror so I could move right and pull off the road and saw nothing but a plume of white smoke. Pulled off to the side, (rush hour traffic) and realized the engine wasn't running. I tried to restart the engine and it sounded like there were rocks in it. Shut it off and called AAA to tow it to the dealer. Fast forward to today, the dealer tells me that part of one of the valves broke off and absolutely demolished the engine. They even showed my the spark plug from that cylinder..... the head of the spark plug (sorry, I'm sure this has a technical term) was GONE.

So, this engine with 46K on it has to be replaced. In the "autopsy" of the engine, it was determined the supercharger pulley had been replaced with an aftermarket pulley and the crankshaft pulley had been replaced as well. Because this car was purchased from a dealer, there was no outward indication of either of these mods. Of course, the dealer has said Mini won't help because of the mods, so now I'm paying for another engine. The dealer wanted $9,100 for a new engine installed. I've found a used one from a 04 MCS with 22K for $3,000. Plus, I have to get someone to install it.

The purpose of this post is two-fold. The very nature of the Mini design and concept lends itself to mods. Be CAREFUL! I was actually considering the supercharger pulley mod, without knowing it had already been done.

The other general question I want to put out is does anyone know of anyone else who works on Mini's in central Florida?

Any input on my course of action here is welcomed.

 

I wonder how well your local MINI dealer checked out the car before you bought it. A supercharger pulley is pretty easy to look at, and aftermarket pulleys should be recognized without much difficulty. Don't know how easy it is to ID an aftermarket crank pulley. If they saw them, they should have advised you of their presence. I think you might discuss their role in your puchase and ask if they'd come halfway in the engine replacement. Worth a shot!

 

Although I am not familiar with the laws in FL, I could see an argument that the dealer should have informed you of any mods on the car, or you have the right to assume it is stock. May be worth looking into...

 

thats kinda worrying im about to do the 17% pulley by Alta, anybody have a high mileage MCS with a pulley thats doing okay?

 

crazy.

do you know what size SC pulley you had?

good luck.

 

Thanks. That's a great point about dealer obligation to notify about mods. I'm planning on talking to an attorney, I just haven't had a chance between hunting for an engine and the holiday. Appreciate the advice!

 

Many people have been running pullies for a long time. The problem isn't the pulley, per se, but you can bet, if something does go wrong, the dealer will try to blame it on the mods.

 

people need to realize that the more mods you do the more attention the car will need. adding a pulley will up your power but, is going to mess with your stock ecu. not much mind you but, it will. when you get your mods in place a reflash is in order but, as long as you take care of your car you can expect high mileage with all the mods you do. even if you live in NYC with all the stop and go and pothole abuse on the BQE.

 

If they want to deny you any warranty because of mods then they need to disclose the mods at time of sale. If they will warranty despite mods, then its not as big of a deal.

 

Anyone from FL have any service alternatives for this type of work???? The dealer will do the engine swap for $2,000. That's seems like a lot to me, but I have no experience replacing engines. Thoughts?

 

Did you buy it from a MINI dealer?

 

$2k??? That's 20 hours labor. Seems high for just a swap. Ask your local club members to recommend an independent MINI mech and see what they would charge.

 

I feel for my local Mini friend.

I would definately talk to the dealership and put some pressure on their car inspection methods and why they didn't catch the aftermarket pulleys.

Let us how things turned out. I wish I could recommend someone for your swap but I dont know anywhere that could do it. My bet is to ask Irish Mikes...they might at least know someone in town.

 

2 concerns that I have...

I have read more than once here that dealers do not like nor do they honor most aftermarket mods on the MINIs. If this is the case, then I would have to imagine that when they sell the car, the buyer needs to know what they are buying into.
There is a reason why dealers do not honor the mods, and this may be the case here, so I would lawyer up and use the fact that no indication from the dealer that it has been modded as your defense.
They won't honor the mods, but they sure will sell one without stating it on the paperwork... Sounds to me like a bad sales dept. Especially after having the car a short time.

 

The selling dealer should have disclosed it to you-I gather from your OP that the selling dealer is not a MINI dealer.

You also mentioned having a MINI dealer check it out for you, did they charge you for this? If so you have a recourse there as well.

Sorry to hear about your troubles-that's got to really suck!

 

well, the dealer can always claim that the mods weren't on there when the car was sold, and that you put them on there, and even if you are 100% right, you'd have an awful hard time proving it. . .

 

Some Mod's are warrented by the supplier eg Mini Mania 2 yr's. They stood behind my exhaust and Header when problem's arose. 15% pulley is very close to the JCW pulley so Mini would have a tough time saying Mod cooked the engine. The prob arises however if no chge had been done to the stock injector as the engine could run to lean, thus to hot , thus failurecould arise. Unless the car was bought in as is condition the Dealer should at least share in the mishape.

 

good pricing (for other cars I have owned) for engine removal and install is around $1000.

 

Unfortunately, I was thinking the same thing. This could easily boil down to he said-he said..

 

I don't have an MCS, but when an aftermarket pulley is installed, aren't new bolts & such used? Or are the OEM ones reused?

Just wondering if OP could prove that the bolts used for the aftermarket pulley show "proof of installation age" vs. newly-installed. Perhaps the condition of the pulley belt would also help? (I'm thinking most people wouldn't use an OLD belt when installing a new mod, right?)

 

your purchasing dealership should have information about the previous MINI owner who probably had the pulley installed. Even if they don't have it, it shouldn't be too hard to locate. You can get their information, and subpoena them into court if the dealership tries to argue that the pulley was installed after your purchasing.

I wouldn't worry about the dealer getting away with that card.

 

I doubt that will help. MM isn't going to be much help here. The car had performance mods. It doesn't make any difference who put them on, the OP owns the car.

 

I don't think he bought it from a MINI dealer, they probably bought it wholesale somewhere and they might not have had any idea it was modded.

I doubt MINI will help and I don't really think they should.

 

I'm sure this is all very helpful, but he's asked twice now about MINI service alternatives in FL.....no Floridians here with any suggestions?

I don't know shops in FL, much less shops familiar with MINIs, but you might give Pete a call at MyMini. He's a good guy and always willing to help - might be able to give you a suggestion or two.

 

A pulley on both the crank and the SC would have a hard time causing a valve to fail. It would need to cause high Combustion chamber temps inorder for a valve to fail from a pulley. The pulley alone wouldnt cause that, it would have to be generally a lack of fuel. Valves are tuff lil buggers, a piston would fail from heat before a valve would. No matter what size pulley you put on anywhere, you are not changing the RPM's only software can allow that. It could of been the retaining spring more than likely. Did you notice that you could over rev the engine? That is the number one cause of valve failure. They start to float from over rev, the retaining clip breaks, and down come the valve, game over.

All and all that sux, and I wish you the best. If only I was closer, I could do the swap for you.