1st Gen R52 Cooper Convertible Repair advice request

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by thisismrwright, Nov 15, 2014.

  1. thisismrwright

    thisismrwright New Member

    Nov 15, 2014
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    I have a 2005 Mini Cooper convertible (not the S) All of a sudden, the battery, the power steering & Service Engine Soon lights all came on and the temperature guage went completely hot and the overheating light came on. I thought i was overheating so I turned the heater on full blast while I got off the freeway but the air never got hot. I pulled over and the radiator fluid resevoir was filled to the top and the fluid was boiling. About 10 minutes later, the fluid quickly dissapeared but it wasnt leaking. The power sterring fluid was very low. I filled the radiator resevoir and power steering fluid & waited till it cooled. I tried starting it and it would not start and only clicked loudly and the lights flashed on and off. I got the battery tested and it was bad. I replaced it and tried to drive it home. after two miles of driving, again the temp guage went all the way hot and the same lights came on.

    Computer problem? Electrical? Any advice would be great!
     
  2. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    First of all, welcome to M/A! I can't help you, because I just went thru a new thermostat and other fixes yesterday and am still reeling from the prices charged...lol. However, there ARE members in this forum who CAN and WILL suggest help for you. Good luck and again, welcome to our lil corner of the MINI world.
     
  3. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

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    #3 ZippyNH, Nov 16, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2014
    Bet the crank damper failed....or maybe the belt (you did not mention looking at it)
    OEM unit looks like a disk...a inner and outer metal part, with rubber sandwiched in the middle...
    The rubber degrades from heat overtime...and the parts slip...
    When it goes...you have no water pump, no ac, no alternator (so no ps)... Car is immobile...
    Most common replacent is from ATI or PRW, a different design than the OEM...tends to be slightly cheaper...not sure who makes non S parts..OEM might be your only option...
    While it fails most often on the S...the design of the cooper crank damper is similar....I would 100% look at it...seems to be the same symptoms...
    Hopefully you did not do some serious damage from trying to drive it...headgasket failure is common from high overheating as a result of head/block warping...
     
  4. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Welcome to MA!

    Everything ZippyNH said. I would only add that I hope you used the corect power steering fluid. Mini only takes Pentosin CHF 11S. Anything els has been know to damage the system.
     
  5. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #5 Dave.0, Nov 16, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2014

    Welcome to M\A and please see the above post as it is most likely your problem.

    Also please stop driving your car or you may cause more damage.
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Welcome to M/A

    Sounds like a new battery is in order. Often a bad battery will cause all sorts of off lights & such. If you put the wrong PS fluid in get that stuff out of there now.

    Put a battery in & report back.
     
  7. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    He did have a a bad battery and replaced it.

    He now has overheating issues.
     
  8. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Sorry for my poor reading comprehension. :crazy:
     
  9. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Its ok some times us old farts have short memories. :biggrin5:
     
  10. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community.
     
  11. eMINIparts

    eMINIparts Well-Known Member
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    Welcome to the coolest MINI forum on the net...........:cool:
     
  12. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Just go to eMINIparts.com for great service & parts! Two thumbs up.
     

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