2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Why does the thermostat fail?

Discussion in '2nd Generation: 2007+ R55 through R61' started by genik, Sep 23, 2015.

  1. genik

    genik Member

    Feb 20, 2012
    402
    19
    18
    Ratings:
    +19 / 0 / -0
    If im not mistaking one of the most common issues for the R56S (N14) is the thermostat failure. Why does it fail, what is the problem that causes it to fail?
     
  2. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
    113
    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
    Probably because it was engineered to a price point.

    To bolster MINI Parts sales.

    It's French, they don't fail, they surrender.
     
  3. genik

    genik Member

    Feb 20, 2012
    402
    19
    18
    Ratings:
    +19 / 0 / -0
    Ok even if that's true, why weren't the replacements better?

    :D
     
  4. nkfry

    nkfry New Member
    Motoring Alliance Sponsor

    Aug 12, 2013
    93
    147
    0
    MINI Specialist at Detroit Tuned
    Roseville, MI
    Ratings:
    +147 / 0 / -0
    These cars run much warmer than older cars, and making a thermostat out of plastic was only a matter of time until the heat got to them.

    The thermostat is constantly opening/closing to both get the car to operating temp and once at operating temp it is trying to stay as thermally efficient as possible. 220F+ isn't uncommon to see on these cars just daily driving.
     
  5. 2010Chili

    2010Chili New Member

    Jun 20, 2015
    22
    16
    0
    Wage slave
    Northern Virginia
    Ratings:
    +16 / 0 / -0
    because they are useless plastic junk, on par with the craptacular timing chain tensioner.
    Mini is becoming a love hate relationship with me...
    Ask me again tomorrow after I pick mine up after 43 days at the dealer (this time....) and I may answer differently
     
  6. genik

    genik Member

    Feb 20, 2012
    402
    19
    18
    Ratings:
    +19 / 0 / -0
    Arent there any better quality, 3rd party, thermostats out there?
     
  7. 2010Chili

    2010Chili New Member

    Jun 20, 2015
    22
    16
    0
    Wage slave
    Northern Virginia
    Ratings:
    +16 / 0 / -0
    The Mini OEM replacement is a bit better, I have never heard of anyone making an aftermarket one.
     
  8. genik

    genik Member

    Feb 20, 2012
    402
    19
    18
    Ratings:
    +19 / 0 / -0
    In what way is it better?
     
  9. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
    1,404
    688
    113
    Pilot
    Southern NH
    Ratings:
    +688 / 0 / -0
    "Service" parts, aka OEM replacement parts usually have design improvements implemented.... Some might be very minor, and not even need a new part #...
    Even on gen1 cars for example, there was 2 or 3 different materials used for the thermostat gaskets as mini/bmw/OEM tweaked the parts.....same part number, but the part was different.
    I'd bet the same has been done based on failure analysis of the older part....when they fail, they do cost MINI $$ in warrenty repairs, and realibilty rankings.....
     

Share This Page