Hey everyone!
So my wife drove the MINI to work today and she put the top down before she left.....of course!!!
But, unfortunately when she got to work the top wouldn't go back up. I checked it out and when you push the button to raise the top you can hear the motor trying to work and the top raises an inch or so but no further. If I reach back to give it a hand then it can make it all of the way up.
I checked to make sure that it wasn't getting caught on anything. So, I think the motor (hydraulic?) is giving out on me. Has anybody else had these problems before? I searched the site and wasn't able to find anything on this issue.
I looked up the price of a new hydraulic kit (with motor, lines, etc...) and it runs at almost $1000!!!
Has anybody tried to repair one of these motors or found a good place to buy a used motor instead of paying full price for a new one?
I am also wondering if I just have a leak somewhere. I will crawl around later and take a look to see if I can find anything.
So my wife drove the MINI to work today and she put the top down before she left.....of course!!!
But, unfortunately when she got to work the top wouldn't go back up. I checked it out and when you push the button to raise the top you can hear the motor trying to work and the top raises an inch or so but no further. If I reach back to give it a hand then it can make it all of the way up.
I checked to make sure that it wasn't getting caught on anything. So, I think the motor (hydraulic?) is giving out on me. Has anybody else had these problems before? I searched the site and wasn't able to find anything on this issue.
I looked up the price of a new hydraulic kit (with motor, lines, etc...) and it runs at almost $1000!!!
Has anybody tried to repair one of these motors or found a good place to buy a used motor instead of paying full price for a new one?
I am also wondering if I just have a leak somewhere. I will crawl around later and take a look to see if I can find anything.
Moderator
If you are getting a sense the pump is working aok, and works with some assistance, then it just may be some trapped air in the system. There are two hydraulic pipe kits and I would bet there is a leak at one of the connectors allowing air in.
Right: 54347162766 - appx $135 a side.
Left: 54347162765
Replacing them one side at a time then bleeding the system is really the only way to tell.....can get messy too.
Right: 54347162766 - appx $135 a side.
Left: 54347162765
Replacing them one side at a time then bleeding the system is really the only way to tell.....can get messy too.
Be sure to let us know what you find out. My '06 R52 is a dream but it is always good to learn all you can about the many systems on these motors.
So, I went out this morning to take a closer look and see if I could find any leaks, and lo and behold the top works again! 
I looked around for leaks and couldn't find anything right away. I guess I will just have to wait and see if whatever it was fixed itself or if it is an intermittent problem. I will let you guys know if it comes up again and I figure out what is going on.
Thanks for your help!
I looked around for leaks and couldn't find anything right away. I guess I will just have to wait and see if whatever it was fixed itself or if it is an intermittent problem. I will let you guys know if it comes up again and I figure out what is going on.Thanks for your help!
5th Gear
I just love it when cars and things fix themselves.
It hurts my heart to read that a new owner finds themselves with a big repair bill right off the bat. It kind of takes the joy out of the purchase, even if the car isn't just off the line at Oxford.
I hope this is just one of those quirky MINI gremlins and not a recurring problem.
It hurts my heart to read that a new owner finds themselves with a big repair bill right off the bat. It kind of takes the joy out of the purchase, even if the car isn't just off the line at Oxford.
I hope this is just one of those quirky MINI gremlins and not a recurring problem.
Was the car turned off when she tried to raise the top? The car's electrical system could have been too weak to get it moving for some reason. Maybe your battery is getting flaky? If the engine was running, then it isn't an issue.
For future reference, here is something all R52 owners should go do right now:
Read the instructions on how to raise the top manually. It involves pulling up one corner of the rear seat bench just enough to reach under it and find the tool attached to the bottom of the seat cushion, right in front of the seatbelt anchors. You use that tool to undo a release valve screw on the hydraulic pump, to release the locks at the front of the area the top folds into, and to turn the "sunroof" portion's motor. The tool is just a 4mm hex wrench.
For future reference, here is something all R52 owners should go do right now:
Read the instructions on how to raise the top manually. It involves pulling up one corner of the rear seat bench just enough to reach under it and find the tool attached to the bottom of the seat cushion, right in front of the seatbelt anchors. You use that tool to undo a release valve screw on the hydraulic pump, to release the locks at the front of the area the top folds into, and to turn the "sunroof" portion's motor. The tool is just a 4mm hex wrench.