Temecula Auto Repair

Here is a short video of a 2009 Mini Cooper S Clubman. When it came to the shop it has no coolant in the reservoir. Coolant flowed out on top of the transmission as fast as we poured it in, but it did still run. The customer stated that it heated up very quickly and he shut it off immediately. We were able to perform a cooling system test (see video) and you can see the coolant spraying out of a cracked thermostat housing. After replacing the thermostat housing and stabilizing the cooling system, we were able to get the vehicle running long enough to properly perform a head gasket/block test. Unfortunately this Mini Cooper failed the head gasket test and we had to recommend removal of the cylinder head for testing and inspection. The machine shop found that the cylinder head was badly warped and had to be straightened or replaced. The only thing that could have prevented this is cooling system service. As you can see in the third picture, there is a lot of build up in the cooling s ... read more

Does you Mini Cooper set a miss fire code or have a flashing check engine light when it starts up cold, in the morning? Usually code(s) P0300, and one or all of the following will set: P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304. It is most likely carbon build up in the intake valves (see picture below). With the advent of direct injection fuel systems, we have seen a epidemic carbon build up issues. With carburetor or convention fuel injection the fuel came in contact with with the intake valves while it is entering the cylinder. The additives in the fuel would help clean the carbon form the intake valve stems. With Direct Injection Fuel Systems the fuel is injected directly into the cylinders, thus leaving the intake valves susceptible to excess carbon build up. The solution: perform an Induction Service every 15,000 miles ... read more

We are running into more and more Mini Cooper S supercharger failures. The supercharger on a Mini Cooper S is belt driven and drives the water pump off the rear of the supercharger. Mini Cooper has no service interval for the replacement of the supercharger oil. We have had many Mini Cooper superchargers fail due to supercharger oil break down or supercharger rear housing leakage. To completely service the supercharger on a Mini Cooper S the water pump must be removed, The supercharger has both a front and rear oil reservoir. The water pump block access to the rear fluid reservoir fill/check hole. To remove the water pump the whole front of the vehicle has to be removed (see picture below). So this IS NOT a do-it-your self type job. We are seeing super chargers failing as early as ... read more

2007 Mini CooperS Code P0012 In almost all cases a code P0012 is either a failing Vanos solenoid valve or to a lesser extent a failing Vanos itself. We have run into this scenario many, many times. But this one had us stumped. We also had what we thought was the normal loud timing chain rattle. We replaced the solenoid and Vanos with known good parts and the code would return almost instantly. We had great oil pressure at the oil pressure sensor in the cylinder head. We removed the front cam cap just behind the Vanos and found that the cam bearing had oil but the channel to the Vanos was dry. After getting a copy of the oiling diagram it was clear what the problem was. The non-return check valve in the cylinder head was stuck shut and starving the Vanos for oil. That passage also feeds the timing chain tentioner but oil passages for the lifters and cam bearing branches off before the non-return check valve. We replaced the non-return check valve a ... read more