1st Gen Most liked posts in thread: Overheating is dangerous!

If you give us your whereabouts, we can probably recommend a MINI mechanic that can diagnose and probably offer a much more reasonable price. My thoughts:

1) Probably blown head gasket, but would be wary of warped head.
2) Do not go to dealer unless its your last alternative.
3) Replacing complete engine is probably overkill, get a diagnosis from a MINI mechanic and go from there.

Good luck!

 

I agree with Doggybags that if the engine isn't siezed, it will be much cheaper to fix it than replace it. It's not just that the engine or that MINIs are more complicated than other cars, but more that they've crammed so much in such a small place that it's a lot of work (read - hours = $$$$ labor)

Chances are it's blown the head gasket, and I wouldn't be too surprised to find someone here on M/A that has replaced their perfectly good head with a higher performance one and might have a good used one to sell, if you need it.

Bottom line, get it to a good independent mechanic who knows the ins and outs of the MINI and she'll be motoring again in no time, and with as little financial pain as possible. BTW, it may have been the thernostat housing that was leaking - 2006's are notorious for this - easy to fix while they have it apart.

If you tell us where you are located, we might have a suggestion for a friendly tech in your area.....

 

Bring her up to Philly, I'll save you a boatload.

 

+1

 

If at all possible, find a shop that specializes in the MINIs b/c a foul-up by a non-pro can really cause more issues down the road for ya. Helix is only 150 miles away from you, definitely worth the trip and have it done right by a MINI Pro. Knowing Eric, he will not sell you on anything that's not NEEDED.

cheers.

 

i like Helix and they support this site, but another closer option is:Behe Performance. Don knows his way around a MINI very well too.

 

Wow, they charged you?
I got mine for FREE. From two different places.

 

Maybe try Mach V up in NoVA.

 

To be blunt...

the dealer is trying to rip you off with those quoted prices. If it's a head gasket without warping, then you're looking at less than a grand all fixed. If the head is warped, you'll be able to put a good aftermarket head on the car for less than the cost that the dealer is asking for a gasket replacement!

Anyway, for the difference in price between a good MINI shop, you could have the car trailered to the shop, and still have enough left over for some good go fast goodies..... Or an "automotive maintenance class" for the little lady....

Matt

 

Yes, it's OK. If the MINI has stock suspension it's not a problem, you may need to fabricate ramps to help get it on the trailer without scuffing. Lowered MINIs and those equipped with front splitters will need the bumper cover (and/or splitter) removed.

 

It's a FWD car...

the rear wheels are "towed" pretty much all the time!

Matt

 

I seem to recall that the owner's manual advised against anything but a flat bed, but that might be because of the car's size and stability issues when being towed by the front wheels only.

 

If you go to our wonderful library, look for the owner's manual for your year. They warn against the sling type method. But it's OK if you use a wheel lift method which are the type rented by U-haul. The best is the carrier method, where the entire vehicle on the flat bed of the hauler.

 

Other than the issue of a low front lip

that Keith already mentioned, I can't think of a single reason why one shouldn't tow a MINI with the rear wheels running on the ground. The only reason I'd ever heard for not towing a car that way was for older auto trans cars where the transmission fluid pump was driven from the input shaft. Since this would be stationary, the bearing at the back of the tranny wouldn't be lubricated properly (when I was younger, you fixed this by taking out the driveshaft). But a FWD car? The front drive mechanism is in fact just pulling the rear end around just like it will be by the trailer!

matt

 

Overheated in Phoenix

Ladies and Gents,

First time posting on this site, thank you for being here. I recently overheated and blew my head gasket. Does anyone have a referral to a reputable Mini independent out here in the Valley of the Sun?

Thanks and Cheers

Mick

 

Sorry I can't offer any assistance but Welcome to Motoring Alliance !!