In november the dealer informed me my oil feed lines to the turbo were leaking and would need to be replaced soon. After doing some research I have found the couplings that attaches these lines to the turbo are defective. On the internet there are hundreds of complaints about this issue. The dealer says there is not a recall and will cost approx: $1200.00. The dealer also said the new couplings are manufactured by a new company and the defect has been fixed. With so many effective shouldn't mini be fixing this issue.
2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 26 of 26, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I was a victim of the "death rattle" from the timing chain tensioner failure. Luckily for me, I researched the noise when I first heard it and was able to get it fixed before it destroyed my entire engine (although mini refused to pay for the repairs). But owners who are not aware of issue may keep driving their car to the point of failure which could lead to a fatal crash. It is a poorly manufactured part that is creating the problem which can be easily fixed.
Thermostat failure, as diagnosed by dealer. Car undriveable. World wide bac korder on the part for 2007-2010 mini coopers. No known date of when the part will be available (or if) and the dealer in bedford nh, stated over 17,000 of these parts are on backorder. A failed thermostat can lead to stranded motorists, engine overheating and extensive engine damage. This part is notorious for premature failure. Should this not be a recallable issue?
While driving up an incline on a semi-rural road in orange county, ca, my car appeared to be unable to shift gears (it is an automatic transmission). My head lurched forward and back again forcefully, and I was unable to drive more than 20 MPH on a 60 MPH speed limit road for the next mile, until I arrived at my destination. Luckily no one was close behind me, or I could have been rear-ended, and luckily I was close to my final destination. I drive a 2008 mini cooper clubman s, automatic with paddle shifters. It is about $8,300 to $9,700 to repair it (2 different repair quotes obtained).
The thermostat housing had a small crack in it resulting in excessive coolant leak. Due to lack of temperature gauge and no warning light, I was unable to tell that my engine was overheating. This problem is due to a faulty plastic thermostat housing.
Engine had a cold start rattle for a long time. Then while driving, the rattle got worse and after being diagnosed at the dealership, it was due to the plastic timing guide breaking due to not enough tension on the timing chain. I had to stop driving immediately and get my car towed to the dealership. My warranty had ran out shortly before the incident.
Oil leak from top of turbo oil line connector near banjo bolt. This is due to a faulty o-ring from the manufacturer.
I have an oil leak on the passenger side that is coming from the tensioner location. The oil is dripping on the exhaust causing steam to rise from the engine. I am afraid that the car will eventually burn enough oil to catch on fire. I will tow the car to braman mini palm beach (purchased car here too) and see if they can diagnose the problem.
I just purchased a pre-owned 2008 mini cooper s 2months ago... I just started having a cold start issue since when I bought the car it was hot out and now since the temp has dropped the car has a chatter coming from the engine bay. I have searched all over the internet and I have seen there are many coopers with the same issue and many have replaced timing chains for almost $2000 and the manufacturer isn't bringing a recall to attention. I work in a dealership as a sales person and many mechanics are saying is a timing issue. I feel loss of power and now feel the car can die at any moment. Please make mini open and investigation in this matter.
These cars come with a faulty timing chain. Mini cooper won't do a recall on the vehicle. I am having to pay 1500.00 to fix this issue and the I have no warranty. I have heard from many and seen the reviews about this issue. It happens to vehicle owners with less miles. Mini needs to make a recall for this issue. These are pricey cars but if mini has done a malfunctions while building the car they should own up to it and get it fix.
I own a 08 mini cooper clubman with 48,000 miles and the warranty just ran out on june 2812: I took it in for a repair in may and no one at this dealer mentioned the timing belt tensioner! I was driving down my road and thank god the speed limit was only 35 when suddenly the belt jumped and my car lost its engine: took it to my local station and they looked inside and said something came loose from the inside of engine and tore it up and I need a new engine: so I called dealer and corp and they say I need to spend money to get their techs to look at it and not my mechanic:so I got on line and investigated the problem and found this is a common problem from mini with a defective tensioner which out of no where without warning flies off: mini refuses to fix these problems and every mechanic says it is not the owners problem and a belt should never fly off: further the belt on lt breaks when it flies in the pistons and breaks other parts of the engine: mini will wait until someone is killed while driving down a highway and it needs to be addressed! A complaint is signed with over 850 signing it and hope many more but I still think it is a serious issue enough where you should get involved: mini is screwing the people and refuse to admit this is a defective part and in most cases wont pay for the new engine while we still owe thousands on the car: please get involved and make mini corp pay for the damages that they cause by refusing to fix this problem once and for all: no timing belt should have to be adjusted and surely a timing belt should last 80,000 miles: this company is cheap and is waiting for a disaster!! Please please help the people and make mini take care of their faulty parts!!![xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Timing chain and tensioner failure at 39k, common premature failure part on this engine when I looked online. We love our clubman, but just glad it didn't happen when we were on the interstate!
Car caught fire and burned up (totaled) in my driveway after it was shut off. Fire started in the engine compartment about 10 minutes after I shut it off and got out of the car. It nearly burned down my house too -- front steps and fence caught fire before the fire department got there and extinguished the fire. Have photos to document.
Short fall of timing chain tensioner causing oil to be pumped out of the engine resulting in catastrophic engine problems and/or timing chain issues.
Every time I cold start my 2008 mini cooper clubman s there is a very loud knocking noise, there has been no recall but I worry about the stability of the engine timing.
Mini cooper clubman s rough rattle in the engine compartment upon ignition of the vehicle. Sounds like a lifter. Continues until 1 minute of operation then subsides.
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