Hi, My 2007 Super S mini is increasingly and randomly displaying the engine 'working at half mast' icon in front behind the wheel. My mini cooper mechanic is saying this is due to the Turbo Charger beginning to fail. So, about 3 years now, all has gone well. The icon comes on, stays for a couple day, or a week, and still the car moves fine. My question is: According to the dealer this car should fail and resort to 'safe' speed (i.e., under 40 miles), but it hasn't happened yet. My mini cooper mechanic says, when the Turbo fails, it will simply default to the basic mini behavior, i.e., as if it were not Turbo charged. Which is the right answer? Thank you.

 

There's more than one failure mode for turbos. Some will cause catastrophic failure, i.e., bearings will cause self-destruct. Waste gate failure will only prevent boost. There are others. If you want to use your "Super S mini" as it was designed, your best bet is to start shopping for a replacement turbo --- if you're sure it's a turbo problem.

 

OldBrokenWing,
Thank you! While waiting for your reply I was considering replacement at considerable expense. I want to check back with my mechanic and verify the certainty of his diagnosis and then proceed. Thanks again because you just confirmed for me the way to go.

 

Well, what does the code say...mechanics can say all they want it is what the car is saying that matters get the codes please (and SEE them with your own eyes too)

 

Normally when the turbo fails it will likely go into limp mode as the ECU sees it not build boost correctly. We had a customer drove a car for over a year and as long as she didn't full throttle it she could drive normal. So it's possible to go awhile.

When you do need one let us know.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/stock-...8-r59-r60.html

 

Thank you WayMotorWorks! I've never done full throttle as far as I know. Does limp mode mean that it moves at less that 40 miles an hour, or does it mean that it defaults to your not-supercharged mini version?

 

Yes the limp mode causes it to not allow you full power and can limit the car to like the 40mph or even less

 

Thanks, WayMotorWorks. Very helpful!