Well, I blew the engine in my MCS. It started having problems with overheating a few weeks ago and gradually got worse. Soon nothing would keep it cool, including replacing the coolant resevior. Then it refused to start for a while. I finally got it started after much cranking, but it rapidly overheated. So I called for roadside assistance and had it towed to Cincinnati Mini.

Result? Blown head gasket, warped head, blown clutch master cylinder and coolant pressure failure.

They tried fixing it for a week and are now ordering a new engine. Thank god for the warranty. But the warranty expires next month and this is the third major repair this car has needed since I got it a year ago.

So I'm talking to the dealership about a trade-in deal on a new 06 MCS.

Has anyone else had this experience? Has Mini ever offered to replace a Mini that seems to be a lemon?

 

I haven't read about too many engins being blown. It happens, but I think its rare. As far as MINI replacing your car, I doubt they'd do it with so many miles on your car. I would let them replace the engine & then trade for a 06 MCS. The newer cars seem to have fewer problems than the earlier ones.

Good luck.

 

FYI, a blown ENGINE is very different than a blown HEAD GASKET. The former means internals broke. The latter means the head gasket failed, which caused the overheating.
Were there any telltale signs? Usually a blown head gasket will make itself known (in addition to the overheating) with oil in the coolant, coolant in the oil, low/no coolant, and/or white smoke out the exhaust indicating burning of coolant in the cylinders.

Interesting that they're replacing the entire engine vs. just the head.
The blown clutch master cylinder seems like a non-sequitir - it's in no way related to the cooling system.

 

Make sure you check out to see if there are any local lemon laws. Those are the kind of problems that might qualify you for some additional relief. I bought my MINI in NJ and the dealer was required by law to notify me of the lemon law. Under some lemon laws, the consumer is sometimes entitled to a new car or at the very lease some extra financial compensation beyond the warranty...

 

Lots of ways for a engine to be dun blowed up. If it had a bad head gasket for any length of time it could erode the head or if enough heat was there it could warp it. The block could also be damaged by the overheating. Either way I'd rather have a new engine that one pieced back together. New engine = good in this case me thinks.

 

overheating issues are things that should never be allowed to sort themselves out, and the two weeks that passed undoubtedly weren't too healthy for the engine.

Yea for warrantys!

Matt

 

These are tough and durable iron block low-tech engines that are quickly gaining a track record of dependibility, even under the duress of mods. Sounds like U just blew a head gasket, and not the engine. The other problems could be collaterally related and replaced by MINI as a precaution.

Oh and if U want an 06, esp. one ordered from the factory, U better hustle, because time is running out fast.

 

Yep what the Doc said x 2 ^^^

 

I attempted to get my mini qualified for MN Lemon Law - I bought it in 04 and it's an 02. MN doesn't cover anything after two years. Dealer was not helpful. I had my car into the dealership 29 times in 2 years. Each time a faulty part was replaced on my car. Motorwerks in Bloomington, MN said they would help me with a trade or extended warranty but they have done nothing. The mini corporate headquarters stated they would assist with a trade/extended warranty but they have also done nothing.

 

Yeah, lose an engine once and your whole outlook on life changes. I had a '67 bug back in the day, and the oil pump gave when I was en route from San Diego to San Francisco. No warnings at all. I think I've added cylinder head temp gauges to every old car I've owned since then -- hot cars are not to be toyed with, I learned.

Sucks.

 

Engine is BLOWN, block cracked and coolent system ruptured. That's what caused the head gasket failure in the first place. Basically the engine blew itself apart and shattered the clutch master cylinder for good measure accodring to the dealership mechanic.

 

Well that's a Dun Blowed Up Engine all right. I'm very happy for you that they are going to warranty the engine for you. Thanks for telling us the results of your cars postmortem.

 

Any info on what exactly blew? Broken rod? Cracked piston? A cracked block is a big deal - especially if it grenaded enough to send shrapnel into the clutch cylinder!
Any idea of the failure mode? (as in 'why it went boom')