Must be an MC, I don't think Silk Green was available on the MCS.........not positive though.

 

That is correct: Silk Green was only available on Coopers, not on the MCS.

 

Thanks to all for your helpful replies.

I spoke to the shop foreman who wants to blame the over-heat on an after-market radiator cap that he says caused coolant to leak and the engine to overheat. When asked if he actually saw the cap loose he said no but his service technician did. In fact he said that the cap was not actually “loose” but that when turned it clicks and then when turned another 20 degrees or so it clicks again. He claims that it wasn’t fully locked in on the second click. I am not sure how the service technician would actually be able to tell this on opening the cap.

In any event the MINI USA customer relations person who we called by phone spoke to us today and said MINI will not help us at all. She was asked if we could fax over at letter I wrote and she wasn’t interested. Borderline rude or lets just say stern. The dealership is MINI of Concord and it seems they made a pretty good case to MINI to quash any help they might give us. Basically, they’ve seized upon this after-market radiator cap issue (we still don’t know how it got there) and is using that as the sole cause of the problem. I will plan to send in the letter I wrote to MINI corporate. I asked them to at least sell me the engine at cost to decrease the burden of $9500 expense. I did not ask them to replace the engine for free. So I am shocked with their callous response.

I must say that after being so positive and recommending MINI to all my friends I am taking a new view of this company and car. Hopefully I will have better success with the company executives.

 

Well, if there is an aftermarket part in there, then I can understand their stance. Did you buy the car new or used? If used, did you get it from a MINI dealer? If you did, then you might have a case otherwise, you have a fight on your hands. I'm still curious on how the car overheated that quickly without you knowing. Do you not check your fluids? Anyway, I hope this gets sorted to your satisfaction soon.

 

This whole scenario doesn't make sense.
The coolant 'leaked out' from the 'aftermarket' radiator cap?
The engine 'lost power'? If it overheated and there was a leak in the system, there would be a whole lotta steam coming out.
The engine was 'ruined' and it was 'just a catastrophic thing', yet no specific diagnosis?

 

I agree, there are a lot of question that the poster has not answered. I had a car loose all the coolant and overheat once and it was far from totalling the engine.

 

Is there evidence of coolant all around this 'aftermarket' cap? I agree still sounds fishy... I am not sure if you ever told us? Was the vehicle ever serviced anywhere else? or just by MINI?

 

To the poster..
Pics of the aftermarket radiator cap please??
Pics of the engine bay?, (if leaking wouldn't tank and engine have the charecteristic white stains?)

 

I'd like to see the pictures too, especially the "aftermarket" radiator cap.

 

Again, there should have been some sort of code or whatnot thrown (to at least turn the idiot light on) if the engine was overheating and they need to prove this was the case and download the DME/codes. I would request that the dealer set up a time you can review this with a Mini Field Service guy (I can't recall what the actual title is but they have area reps out in the field to review warranty issues, I've met with them before for BMWs) and request the information and an explaination how they can show with no doubt that this is the cause, etc.

 

this sounds horrible...I mean usually MINI/bmw will stand behind their product...

 

There is a NAM member who is (was?) a service manager at MINI of Concord and has posted here. Anybody remember who that was? I've mostly seen positive comments about the service department there and it would be unfortunate if it has taken a turn for the worse.

 

I'm sorry, I'm just not buying it. Since when is it even possible that ALL the coolant can leak out of an overflow tank? I could understand if a radiator hose failed, but the overflow tank? Come on! Even with an aftermarket cap (has anyone ever had a problem with an aftermarket cap?), I still don't see how you can have catastrophic engine failure because of an overflow tank cap. The dealership is trying to screw you and they will try ANY excuse to justify thier position.

I reccommend getting a second opinion.

 

David - see this thread (I did a search to find reference):
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t=concord+mini

As for Mini/BMW usually standing behind their products... generally not, in our combined experience with several cars (me and the SO). This scenario with the dealer doing something questionable and HQ not helping is not rare. With luck you get a good service dept and mechanics but it can be kind of hit or miss it seems.

 

Time for the local state version of the Bureau of Automotive Repair to get into the act. Following that, a lawyer.

 

I sent a PM to David Savell (NAM member Group B) and linked to this thread. Hopefully he'll receive it and post comments here.

 

If the radiator cap, (the one holding the pressure in an MC, not the one on the overflow tank), leaks, it won't hold pressure in the coolant system, if the temperature increases above 212 degrees,(at atmospheric pressure), the coolant will boil, and the steam/coolant mixture will escape the coolant system via the leaking cap......kind of like Three Mile Island on a smaller scale.

I have a hard time believing the radiator cap is after market, like to see a picture.

Also. if steam was blowing out of the coolant system to atmosphere it seems it would be rather obvious.

 

Again, since the OP is not providing details, I believe we have a troll. Pictures and a scanned copy of the service ticket is the only evidence otherwise. Let this drop until proof is provided.

 

Second that!

 

Waaaaaay to fishy. Lack of details from the OP makes me think there is plenty more behind this. An aftermarket radiator cap causing a catastrophic engine failure? come on

How did it get there? The OP hasn't even said if he/she is the original owner of the Cooper. I think we should all take a step back and let the OP repost more details before going any further if he/she really wants more help from the community. Just my $.02

 

Me thinks we have a troll....

 

Agreed, when I asked for more specifics, or anyone else did, they were really not provided...

 

If it was the recovery tank cap then you would definetly see steam - as one who's experienced a recovery tank split ... with the tank sitting right above the exhaust - you get a steam bath when it leaks.

My tank split down the entire seam, lost all water.
Called the tow service.
No damage to my engine.

T