I have a 2002 mini, drove it through a puddle last night that was up to the floorboards and stalled, it sat for about 2 minutes before some helpful citizens and I pushed it out. What do I do next? Plenty of battery, makes a loud thud rather than starting.

Please help.

Jill

 

im very new here but not new to this.. you must take out the plugs and open up the air filter and take it out.. also change the oil first then after the plugs are out crank it over a few time to make sure if any water got in there it can be pushed out.. i am not sure of where the ecu is yet on the mini but if it didnt get wet you are ok..after you do all this put the plugs back in and start it.. if you did not push in the clutch pedal in the water you will be ok with all that stuff..

if no water got in the engine just check the air filter..

 

Sounds like you hydro-locked it. Hopefully no damage, but damage is more common than not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrolock

 

If it made a loud thud when you tried to start it, the damage may already be done, the intake horn is down by the bumper, it's easy to force water all the way up to the head if the puddle is deep enough....

First take the plugs out and see if it will crank over, be prepared for a lot of water to blow out of the plug holes. spray some WD40 down the holes and crank it some more. Check to see if there's water in the crankcase by pulling the dipstick. If none, put the plugs back in and see if it will start, but if it makes bad noises or knocks, you're engine's toast.

Good luck with it.....

 

Most MINIs that hydro lock require new engines sadly. I have a feeling this one is going to cost you.

 

Not very good news. However, if you have good insurance coverage, they should cover this.

 

the insurance adjuster came today, and removed the air filter and saw that it was soaked, he said we probably need a new engine. I thought that this was extreme but it sounds like it is plausable. thanks for the feed back

jill

 

Sorry to hear this. I had an older S60R that was also very easy to hydrolock. It's always bad news when it happens.

 

Sry to hear that.. Was it a manuel or a automatic?

 

I went thru the same ordeal 3 years back and it was a hydrolock. Replaced engine, and the insurance company stood behind the replacement. Best of luck with your car.

 

The Cooper (non-S) has an intake resonance chamber that sits low in the drivers side fender. Driving through deep water can cause water to enter through this chamber into the intake system.

There is an entry in the owners manual that states:

"Do not drive through water on the road if it is deeper than 1 ft / 30cm, and then only at a walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the transmission may be damaged."

One possible solution is to install an aftermarket intake kit - these kits 'typically' eliminate this resonance chamber.

 

Kinda glad i have my intake system waiting for my mini already... anyone want a oem intake system lmao