Hello all,

I'm about to take the plunge but I'm doing as much research as I possibly can. I just read some old posts regarding the engine locking up because water getting into the intake. I'm looking to buy an MCS but I live in San Antonio, which basically means I live ontop of a rock quarry so it floods a lot. Is this really a big problem? I've searched the forums but the posts I found were old, is this still a problem for the 05 MCS? Obviously I wouldnt try to get into a foot of water but what about half a foot? Would cars splashing me be deadly for the MCS?

 

Hi, r13ater! You need to read a MINI owner's manual. They recommend to not go through water over (I think) 6 inches deep at more than 5 mph. Clearly, you want to avoid flooded intersections, if possible.

I'm sure others will weigh in with their recommendations, but I don't think you should worry too much. They're being driven all over the world and in plenty of rainy locales, too! :smile:


Clover

 

Not to sure about water,but plowing through a foot of snow is a blast

 

i cant even imagine that.

 

If I remember correctly, wasn't it mainly the Cooper (not the S) that had this problem, due to a low-hanging air intake?

-Paul!

 

I think the air intake through the grill is the same height in both cars. Is there another air inlet for the MC? I don't recall one on my late MC.

 

Its summertime here in South Florida and that means lots and lots of rain = Flooded streets.

No problem as long as you don't drive the car over 6 inches or more of standing water. If you get "trapped" then drive extremely slowly as not to create a big "wake" and risk water entering the engine.

 

Would any of the cold air intakes help a bit? I know they can't prevent hydrolock if the air intake is submerged, but can any help prevent splashes from entering the engine by repositioning the intake or offering some sort of cover? A lot of the posts I've read on this sound like the problems occurred in less water than stated in the manual. (I pick up my MC in August, so I'm very concerned!)

 

I believe Paul is right. It seemed to be only a couple of isolated incidents, and on very early standard Coopers. I also thought I saw that the intake was raised on subsequent models. This does not give you carte blanque to go river fording, though...

 

I've always read about this too, but then saw pictures of MINI's in England fording a creek, water splashing up all over them as they dashed through the water. It was in an edition of GoMini magazine.

 

I saw those pics too, and figured those owners will be yanking the engines out very soon.

It is possible they were driving diesel MINI's and maybe they are set up differently? Who knows...