Based on the above definition, #2 to be exact, there is no doubt that we are experiencing an epidemic. Over the past year, we have seen dozens of Mini Coopers coming into our facility with a very low oil level. This is serious because it can dramatically reduce the life of a Mini Cooper engine!

Are Noises coming from your MINI Cooper engine compartment keeping you up at night with dreams of another “sticker shock” repair?

Over the past few years we have written many blog posts on the MINI Cooper.  If you are familiar with our auto repair center, you may know that when we first opened our auto shop back in 1978, we focused on servicing British and American cars — hence the name, British American Auto Care.

We see quite a few Mini Coopers with direct injection engines that have carbon build-up on the intake valves. While direct injection engines do offer enhanced fuel performance and cleaner emissions, these engines are more likely to have an issue with carbon build up on the intake valves.

“Every time I bring my Mini Cooper in you say it is low on oil, why?”

It’s not uncommon for Mini owners to experience problems related to coolant leaks. Some of the older Mini Coopers experience radiator and thermostat housing leaks, but the most common issue is with the water pump. In fact, some Mini Cooper water pumps have failed on vehicles with under 10,000 miles!

Based on the questions we’ve grouped together most of you have probably guessed that the common rattling noise heard from the right hand side of the engine (that is normally worse upon starting) comes from a loose timing chain. The timing chain is what joins the camshafts to the crank shaft. The chain runs through guides, and a tensioner takes the slack out of the chain.

These are just a few of the power steering complaints that we’ve heard from customers and that we’ve seen floating around the Internet. What is going on?