My 2008 mini cooper s clubman appears to be having a problem with the tim ing chain tensioner and timing chain. The noise is steadily getting worse. After reading about the class action lawsuits around the united states I am now afraid to drive the car. If the timing chain desires to come apart on the freeway the sudden loss of steering and brakes could cause a major accident by engine seizing up if the timing chain let's go. Also the damage to the engine would cost so much it would not be worth fixing.leaving us with a $7500 owed on a vehicle we cannot use.
2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S engine problems
26 complaints (76% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 62,500.
- owner complaints
- 26
- of this car's complaints
- 76%
- typical mileage
- 62,500
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Exhaust system1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Engine compartment fire
In a January 10, 2012 letter to the federal safety agency, BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the electric auxiliary water pump in approximately 88,911 model year (MY) 2007-2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2006 through January 18, 2011 (Recall 12V‑008).According to BMW, the auxiliary water pump on vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder turbocharged engines may overheat.Electro-migration can cause the pump electronic circuit board to overheat resulting in smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it may lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire.The pump supplier, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, redesigned the pump to address factors that may contribute to circuit board overheating.The redesigned pumps were completely implemented in production vehicles by January 2011.Recall 12V‑008 was the third recall initiated by BMW to address electric auxiliary water pump fires in vehicles equipped with Pierburg pumps.In two October 20, 2011 letters to the federal safety agency, BMW submitted DIRs for similar auxiliary water pump defect conditions in approximately 32,084 MY 2008-2011 BMW 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and X6 models equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines and manufactured from May 2008 through December 2010 (Recall 11V‑521); and for approximately 589 MY 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from September 2009 through September 2010 (Recall 11V‑522).In three separate April 5, 2012 letters to the federal safety agency, BMW submitted amendments to Recalls 11V‑521, 11V‑522 and 12V‑008.The amendments all described a common defect condition related to a manufacturing process deviation in a certain production range of the redesigned Pierburg water pumps that could result in cracks in the pump housing, which may allow coolant to enter and contact the pump?s circuit board.BMW indicated that further analysis identified a specific machine process error at the sub-supplier that manufactures the water pump housing.Pump housing cracks may cause the circuit board to overheat and lead to smoldering of the water pump.Recall 12V‑008 was, thus, amended to include approximately 1,457 MY 2011 Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2011 through April 22, 2011, when pumps manufactured with the suspect manufacturing process may have been used in vehicle assembly.The amendment to Recall 11V‑521 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V‑161, and covered approximately 2,846 MY 2011-2012 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X5, and X6 vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2011 through August 1, 2011.The amendment to Recall 11V‑522 was assigned a new recall number, Recall 12V‑166, and covered approximately 69 MY 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2011 through June 2, 2011.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by BMW as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 30 unique Mini Cooper reports indicating engine fire.In addition, BMW provided warranty data showing 493 claims for replacement of the subject component on Mini Cooper vehicles.Owners of the recalled vehicles are notified to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer, who will replace the auxiliary water pump to prevent any incidents related to this issue.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.):10286597, 10286663, 10289793, 10310677, 10314796, 10342365, 10394808, 10394192, 10403982, 10418325, 10422646, 10429003.
PE11036
What 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I have had major problems with my engine ever since I have had my mini cooper s clubman. The turbo is loose, there is oil burning off of my engine, and it makes terrible screeching sounds that come from the engine. I have just learned that it is common for a mini cooper to have problems with its timing chain; thus, causing this terrible sound and all those other problems. I did not know it was the timing chain, and now they are having a recall on most of there models that are from the same year as mine. My car whenever I brake makes screeching noises that come from my engine, and I'm worried that this poor engine design will cause me to get in an accident. Now I have to pour money into getting a new timing chain, even though mini cooper is now know for having terrible timing chains.
Timing chain jumped off of dead center. Had to replace timing chair to new upgraded assembly. Cost was around $1200.00. Upset because this has been happening to a lot of mini coopers. Should have some kind of recall to consumers. Bmw knows about this.was driving home from out of state.
The timing chain was replaced at 90,000 mile and and now need to be replaced at 104,000 miles
Vehicle started having trouble turning on and when it did come on a loud clanking noise began. The car could barely go over 30mph. 3 hr. Drive took us almost 6 hours to get to dealership. Dealership states it is the timing chain and the oil pan needs to be replaced.we found excessive water in the spare wheel hub. The brake light sensor would not go off, airbag light appeared, a knocking noise in the gas tank consisted. Etc.
The car developed engine trouble at 51,934 miles. We called otto's mini dealership and were told that the car was no longer under warranty. We then took car to a local repair shop and were told that the engine needed replacing due to faulty timing chain that resulted in extensive damage to the cylinder head and pistons. Upon researching this problem it appears that it is very common. We proceeded with the repair at the local shop and filed with mini to request coverage. Coverage was denied since we did not have car serviced at the dealer. The nature of this repair and the large number of reported issues would suggest one to expect mini to stand behind their product.
The oil supply line to the turbo on this car leaks due to a poor design. The part(s) used by the manufacturer are not suitable for the application and fail, causing not only an oil leak, but a potential turbo failure, and worse, the potential for an engine fire, as the oil leaks onto a hot turbo charger and exhaust manifold/downpipe. The oil line uses a compression fitting where it attaches to the turbo body. This fitting uses an internal rubber o-ring/seal that is subjected to high heat, and heat cycles every time the car is run. Rubber seals fail under these conditions! The manufacturer (mini/bmw) is aware of the problem, and is doing nothing to correct it. (it's very expensive repair) instead, the manufacturer is providing a "band-aid fix" by supplying a "heat shield" that attaches to the fitting. This will do little-to-nothing to prevent the rubber o-ring from failing, nor does it fix a line that is already leaking. This failure occurs, typically, after the car is out of warranty. It's a serious design flaw, and should be a recall item due to the safety issue it creates.
The bango fitting on top of the turbo started randomly and excessively leaking oil while idling in my driveway. Could have caused a fire. Going to have to replace the oil intake line, oil, and do a engine cleaning. This is very dangerous and could have easily started a fire with oil pouring over a hot turbo.
We started our 2008 mini clubman s in a parking lot and it immediately indicated a check engine light (cel) for 'limp' mode. Upon further inspection, the upper guide rail for the timing chain had shattered. The odbii codes were p0300, random mis-fire, p0301 mis-fire cylinder 1, p0303 mis-fire cylinder 3 and p1492, downstream throttle air leak.
I am deaf I drive my 2008 mini clubman s my mother , brother and friend heard my engine noise engine ,I don't know I can't hear so I open oil cap I saw brown plastic piece I found timing chain guide is bad, that is short life that is wrong.
Questions about the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S engine
Does the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S have engine problems?
Owners have filed 26 complaints about the engine of the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S, 76% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 62,500 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
Other 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S problems
Airbags 8Transmission 2Fuel system 1Visibility 1
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