I am new to the Mini world as I bought a 2008 Cooper S this week. I noticed tonight that after I turned the engine off there was a sound like a fan and the sound was coming from around the turbo. Do these cars have a cool down system for the turbo? If so what exactly is the system made up of? Is it simply a fan with thermostat?
Thanks,
John Hoffner

 

Yes, it does have a cool down system....

It's an electric water pump that circulates water thru the turbo center bearing housing....

And welcome to the madness!

 

Welcome, John! Have you joined our MINI Club in STL yet? Here's a link STLMINI.com


Lois

 

Thank you for the quick responses.

I assume since the turbo has a cool down system that leaving the engine running a little before shutdown is not as critical as with older cars with turbos.

I have not joined the club yet but I plan to soon. I am a board member for the St. Louis BMW club and I am the treasurer... you know how that goes. I am a little concerned about joining because I have a tendency to jump in the deep end and I really can not at this time afford to take on any extra work. I will join and you will see me at events. When and where is the next meeting?

If any of you attend track days with the BMW, Audi or Porsche clubs or you attend the St. Louis Street Survival Schools or the European Auto Show then you have probably seen or met me. My track car is a 95 Avus Blua BMW M3, I show up at events when not driving on a 2002 BMW K1200RS and the big give away is I usually have a mini Dacshund in a back pack with me even when I'm riding the K bike.



Thanks,
John

 

John,

Welcome. The next meeting will be on March 14th at Mini of St. Louis starting at 6:30.

Danno

 

John,

I love your co-pilot Hope to see you soon at an event or meeting!

Lois

 

Love your doxie.I've had a few and they're great dogs.Cute as a button.

 

Frank is my buddy thank you all for the replies.

I did email a registration to join the club and I am waiting for a email or snail mail response to tell me were to send my $30.00 and confirm I am a new member.

I will try my best to attend the next meeting.

John

 

John,

Seems like a lot of us have some good co-pilots....

I am working with our puppy; who is a doxie-begal mix, for road trips.

Thanks for joining.

Danno

 

How big is a doxie/beagle mix?

 

About half way between both.. i will post pics as soon as I can.

 

Our two Miniature Poodles travel with us (we call them the MINI-Poopers) quite a bit too. They've been on many a MINI adventure, and usually accompany me to our KC Club's events, especially Sonic Thursdays!

You do not need to let the engine idle for cooldown at all, the electric cooling pump will keep temps in hand after shutdown, and in fact the turbo really doesn't get that hot even in spirited driving since it's cooled by the engine's cooling system. Your engine has a dual mode thermostat, normally the engine will run about 220*, but if it's a really hot day and/or the engine is being worked hard, like in the mountains or on track, the secondary thermostat will open and drop the temp to 180* or so, till you ease up on it, or it gets cooler, then it will go back to the 220* setting. So don't give it a thought, and just go ahead and drive it as you will, you won't hurt it.

The one thing I would caution you to do is change the oil twice a year rather than waiting for the computer based service intervals which can go as long as 18K! Buy the factory filter and either use the oil sold by the dealer (which is about the same price as Mobile 1) or the correct weight of Mobil 1 or equivalent full synthetic, it's just good maintenance as the few turbos I've seen fail did so due to a clogged oil return line, and had followed the factory CBS program. Also check your oil level frequently till you establish your particular car's oil usage pattern.

Enjoy your new MINI!

 

MiniDave,
The Poodles are cute and they fit perfect in the back of the Clubman.

Thanks for the details about the cooling system for the turbo. Knowing these makes me feel more comfortable.

I am finatical about oil and oil filter changes and do them every 3,000 miles for cars I drive frequent and twice a year for cars driven seldom.
I flush the brake fluid once a year on my street car and more often on my track car. I do the same for the power steering fluid. I realize after writing this that I was falling back on my own schedule and I did not look at the schedule set by Mini. I will check out the specs in my manual tomorrow.

I see you are in KC and I am in that area a few times a year. Hopefully I will be in KC during one of the KC Mini events.

 

You and all of our St. Louis MINI brothers and sisters are always welcome at any of our events of course, we'd love to have you!

Check our web site as things will start happening now that the weather's turned.

http://forums.kcminiclub.com/

That's Holly on the left and Noel on the right, they're standing up so in that pic they look bigger than they are! Holly's about 12lbs and Noel's 14........they're 11 years old now and still love to hang out with the MINI folks.