Hi all,
I've got a 2008 Cooper-S 6 speed with 60k miles.. I purchased the car in April of 2016 with 59k and this is the second time the car has broken down. As you can see, I don't drive it much.

After the first breakdown, the mechanic had determined that the water pump and thermostat housing were shot and so they were replaced along with the radiator, and all of the hoses.

This most recent time, I got an overheating icon on the dash followed directly by the low oil pressure indicator, and pulled over and turned off the car, and had it towed home. The car never started again. I have not had the opportunity to get it back to the shop yet, but I'm already thinking that I don't want to keep this car.

Any advice or ideas? Do I pay for another repair and then sell the car? Do I try to sell it as is? I fear that it may have a blown head gasket or worse, and I don't want to get into huge repair territory.

FYI this is not a daily driver if that makes any difference in decision making.

Thanks for any help.

 

What does it do when you try to start it now? Does the starter spin the engine over? Have you checked the oil and coolant levels after it died?

 

It doesn't do anything. Makes no attempt to start, no sounds, nothing. Just the engine icon on the dash. Coolant was empty (as was the case before the water pump and all were replaced) and oil looked okay.

 

I think it's worth taking it to another mechanic to try to find out what went wrong. Maybe the mechanic who did the water pump left a hose clamp loose or something and the hose blew off and drained the system. If you take it back to him, he may be less likely to admit to the real cause if he left something loose. I don't know what month you had that work done, but that repair could still be under warranty.
I don't understand why the starter isn't cranking though.

 

could be the battery ?

 

i once forgot to clamp the water hose and after few days it popped while i was on the highway leaving work...the overheating icon came and the reduced power also came.. lol. luckily few miles later i found a mall where i got some tools and coolant filled it up and drove back home. So, check the hoses, and fill it with coolant for now. get the battery tested. then when you get a chance, remove the valve cover and take a look at the sprockets and chain.