One thing that might not help is the fact that the coolant temp sits between 219 and 225F....

 

You should file a complaint with NHTSA so they can have it in their database and add more evidence to the ongoing investigation. http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Owners/

 

Just submitted a complaint. Probably selling the car when it is fixed. I love it, but I don't want to be on the Autobahn when it decides to go Christine....

 

Is your car actually repairable? How extensive was the damage? My car was totaled by the fire.

 

I caught it very early, so damage wasn't bad, but I was lucky. If I wouldn't have had water in the car, game over. I will be selling it shortly. BMW is waiting on the new water pump and accessories. When they are finished, I will clean her out and trade it in...

 

Check your PM

 

News says Canada has recalled S models due to possible pump failure and fire.

http://autos.sympatico.ca/auto-news/...lled-in-canada

 

I like this statement at the end:
"If you own one of these cars, please park it outside until your auxiliary water pump has been replaced. Your dealer will perform the repair."

 

What I find interesting from BMW AG (German) is that my dealership claims this is news to them..... Interesting...

 

Suppose anyone at the NHTSA is alert enough to make the association?

For easy reference, here's a link to the Transport Canada data record:

http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/...eng&rn=2012008

 

I just sent an email to NHTSA notifying them of the Canadian recall and referencing their preliminary evalution PE 11036. Years ago I worked for the former chief scientist of NHTSA and the former head of the NHTSA office of defects investigation (they were expert witnesses in major vehicle crash/defect cases) and often conducted research at NHTSA and am familiar with the investigation procedure.

Based on complaints, they first open a PE preliminary evaluation to determine if there is enough evidence to escalate it to a defect investigation or if necessary, a recall.

The fact that Canada transport has initiated a recall implies that MINI already has a fix for the problem. Since the recall states the auxiliary water pump will be replaced they know what is causing the fires and hopefully the new part will fix it.

 

You've been a valuable contributor throughout this thread. I, for one, am very much appreciative.

Based on your experience, how do you think the action by Transport Canada will affect the eventual disposition of PE11036? Might it be a catalyst for moving the investigation higher on the priority list?

 

My intent and hope is that it speeds up their decision to elevate this to a recall. They are engineers and work for the government, thus usually move deliberately and slowly gathering all the facts, conducting tests etc. The manufacturer has about 90 days to respond to questions sent out by NHTSA, then they take time to evaluate etc. I think this PE only opened in Oct. I did not expect any action until Spring unless someone got killed or burned down the whole block. I wonder if any other countries in Europe have investigated and had recalls for this issue. We should check some British MINI forums.

 

Where on the engine is the aux water pump located?

 

It's a recall!! http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls...h&summary=true

 

See component #1 in the following diagram. It is physically located on the front of the driver's side of the engine, in the general area below the oil filter housing.

 

Nice scoop scott. Canada leads the way.

 

I would hope NAM post this recall on the Announcement section so everyone can read this.

Otherwise it's just another post buried in a thread.

 

I just posted this in General MINI Talk (2007+)...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...11-recall.html

 

Ok, always wondered what that was sitting under the oil filter. Thanks!

 

The announcement from the NHTSA states the recall was posted by BMW to them on January 10th. I'd imagine that the only difference between the US and Canada is just how slow their respective agencies are. Really we were only one day behind with the official Cananda announcement. Either way no MINI's are getting fixed until February anyhow.

 

They should also give us a free oil change for having to live with the stigma of owning a recalled car...

 

So I finally received a copy of the service department paperwork concerning my mini-inferno. When i asked them if this was the fix, they couldn't verify whether my car had the fix or the firestarter. Is there any information concerning the exact part numbers being replaced? I contacted Mini USA and they put me in touch with a dealership in Virginia Beach. VB hasn't received parts or guidelines concerning the recall. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hard to say. Even if you do have the newer one you might as well let them replace it anyways with the recall since they don't seem to know about if they replaced it with a faulty part or not. Best to be safe after all. Also most dealers haven't gotten any more details as I'm sure BMW/MINI is probably doing some sort of leg work still. Most reports say repairs will start sometime in February but who knows.

 

Appreciate the quick reply. I will wait until March 1st to bug my dealership. Maybe they'll have it worked out by then.... Funny part is, they flashed my car which definitely smoothed the car out. Life is good, for now...