HELP!!!!!!!

I was at Streets of Willow today with my 05 mcs. Any advice with the following problems that arose would be great!

1. Cracked windshield
2. Air Conditioning stopped pumping cold air after a run where I accidentially left it on
3. Power steering intermittently stopped assisting while on track. It was fine all the way home.

Thanks!

 

1) Replace crummy OEM MINI windshield with more durable and cheaper PPG brand glass

2) Don't know

3) Power steering must have overheated from excessive use that would not normally be seen on the track. I have seen this happen with one friend of mine at the Dragon after some heavy runs. . .

 

1) Next time stay ON the paved track ...hehe

 

Thanks for the tip! I will try it next time.

 

Probably should go ahead and change the power steering fluid now that it's been good and cooked.

 

my power steering goes out on me a lot too, but i don't race it in the track though. so, what would cause this to happen?

 

That would be me for problem # 3 back in July. After making runs all day, we met Yucca at the Overlook and headed back to Fontana. About 5 miles out of nowhere either the power steering gave out or massive brake lock and I headed straight across the road stopping just short of hitting the rock wall. I sat there about 2 minutes and it seemed to cool down enough too drive normal.

I took it easy back to Fontana and I’ve never had the problem again or have I been to have any servicing done on my MCS.

I’m hitting the Dragon again real soon and will let you know if the problem pops its ugly little head up.

 

Somewhere on NAM there are posts about this problem.

Apparnelty the early production cars would shut down the Power steering as they sensed an overheat condition. This was fixed, but I don't recall if it was a software fix, or a sensor change.

Mine (9/03 build, with software udated through May of 05) has "burped" power steering fluid from hard use, but has never shut off the assist.

John

 

After visiting the dealer, we found that the a/c compressor is deceased. A new one is being ordered under warranty. They tried to relate the problem to my pulley, but I quickly shut that down. Sometimes being a lawyer helps...

As for the power steering, I don't think it is just about heat. It kept happening on the same spot each lap. Odd...

Anybody know a place to post some videos of the day?

 

Make sure that your powersteering cooling fan is working.

Since it was happening on the same spot on the track each lap it sounds more like cavitation, or starvation at the pump maybe because of the centripital forces pushing the powersteering fluid away from the pick up. Check the level.

 

The fluid level was good. It was at the end of a 100mph straight, braking downhill and into a chicane.

I believe the fan was working and was clear of debris. Odd indeed!

 

are these some of the common problems faceed as a result of tracking ur car??

im planning to take my car to track for the first time soon ( bone stock mcs ) , but abit worried on things like this happening.

 

You should watch for brake overheating in long track sessions.

If you have a 19% pulley you WILL blow a belt occasionally and should have the tools and skills to change the belt so you can drive the car home.

Otherwise, nothing at the track seems more stressful than the morning commute, Except for the tires, you will have a lot of tire wear.

John

 

I suspect my problems were not common, but determining that was one of the goals of my original post. In fact, I have been led to believe that the Mini is a very reliable track car right out of the box.

Before Friday, I had never read about the power steering issue, although now it seems like a common occurrence on cars that are not tracked. The A/C also seems common on street cars, as two other cars were in for new compressors at the same time mine was. The windshield was just bad luck...

As you are out there on the track with your car, remember that you want to drive it home. Don't pound mercilessly on the poor car... treat it with respect and it will take you home!