This is my first time posting here and the first MINI I've owned. 2009 Cooper S, for reference. When I bought it (used), it didn't have a manual with it so this forum has been very handy in figuring out how everything works so thanks to all for that.

Now, on to my issue.. Two weeks ago I got an engine temp notification, pulled off road and realized I was losing coolant. Let the engine cool, refilled with coolant safe for aluminum radiators (not the recommended BMW fluid but it was 12:30am on a Saturday so I had to make do with what Wal-Mart had). Took it in to a shop the next day, they did a pressure test and said the coolant temperature sensor housing had cracked so they replaced it, filled me up with the BMW fluid (I nearly choked at $30/gal, btw) and all was well.

Yesterday the gas level warning came on and I was a ways away from a decent gas station, the second time it chimed it popped a yellow caution triangle I've never seen before next to the "miles since last reset" figure in the display below the tachometer. I filled up and it went away.

Later in the evening, I was driving somewhere else and an ominous looking engine that was half yellow appeared in the display below the tach but no error lights came on by the speedometer however,that yellow triangle with the exclamation point came back. I pulled over, determined (I think) that was an Engine Power warning light and felt safe to drive home but I took it to the shop this morning and they said there were no error codes thrown and that a dealership would have to reset the Engine Power warning because their system doesn't have that ability but that it was likely because the coolant temp sensor had been disconnected during the repair. Incidentally, they did not charge me even though they spent over an hour looking at it.. good guys!

So, this is my question.. why would it take 2 weeks for that warning light to come on? Is it safe to drive a distance to the nearest dealership? The only dealership in Atlanta that does MINI service is about an hour away and traffic here being what it is, it'll be stop and go and I don't want to risk over-heating and doing damage trying to get there. The shop said all my fluid levels were fine and the computer reports no issues BUT it's raining today and I noticed that the hood got hot enough to evaporate water which makes me think it's running hot.

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

Is your cooling fan staying on for a long time after you turn off the engine? Check the plugs for the coolant temp sensor, when I changed my sensor, I mixed the plugs. I switched them and the engine light went away. It should be the top two plugs, they look like they are color coded but they really aren't.

This should be in the R56 forums, this forum is for R60 Countryman's.