[HumphryCooper]

Hi,

So I picked up my new volcanic orange Cooper last Thursday. 3 days and 202 miles later after a 40 mile drive I went inside and came back out to discover the bonnet had collapsed on itself around the 'power bulge'. There isn't a single mark, the 'dents' in the bonnet aren't actually dents, they are smooth and spot less. Not a single mark, blemish or crease. The usual suspects of an impact. Team this with the fact the engine was red hot and still hot when the MINI breakdown guy arrived 2 hours later!!!

 

[Hat]

Thats incredible! So your assumption is the hot engine caused the steel to warp? They must be really thin if this can happen

 

[VolcF56]

That's awful!

I'm guessing with the hot engine, it's got to have warped/melted the metal that way? Was the engine temp claiming to be ok during the drive?

Will definitely have to keep an eye on this!

Hope you get it fixed soon

 

[MintMark]

I'm astonished! Forget leaking washer nozzles... the fluid must have been boiling in the tubes!

I hope they'll be thoroughly checking the engine and identify a cause... surely this can't happen at "normal" temperatures

 

[HumphryCooper]

That was my initial thought! I had just pulled up, taken my bags inside and locked it. 3 mins later it looked like that and was roasting to touch. Popped the bonnet and could touch anything as it was so hot! So I think it cooked itself after I stopped as it was fine whilst driving as air was flowing. No warning signs - engine temp claimed to be okay during drive.

Arden Maidstone Mini cannot replicate it as yet so are basically implying I am lying I get told something different every time I ring up/go down there.

One thing they do agree on is that the paintwork is too pristine for an impact. Not even any swirls - so how an 'impact' can do that and not leave a mark I don't know ...and nor do they.

 

[jamesant]

That is truly worrying and hope they get to the bottom of it one strange thing if the engine got that hot it deformed the bonnet wonder why the paint did not bubble would have thought that would have gone first. Am going to ask my dealer when I see him if there is anything to worry about and good luck as I would be asking if it will cause future early failure of the engine getting to that temp

 

[GoKart7]

Tell them to look at it objectively

Tell them to blame you or find the fault

It doesn't mean nothing to replicate a fault because if something is wrong and it's happened either it's your fault or not

Then lay the law down - mention the boiling engine - ask for a full report or ask who should you go to ask to judge independently

If they mention motor codes tell them that's not on they are not independent they are of the SMMT and in your opinion only look after you not the customer

If they persist and say it's your fault get an independent in the best you can find

If they say it's not your fault then tell them that either they fix the car in a agreed time or you reject under the grounds of safety

If they can't explain that they won't explain anything else logically

Don't get hot yourself just go with a notebook and own and write everything down in front of them quoting them on site to ruffle their feathers - then tell them nothing else

 

[HumphryCooper]

Thanks guys, some good advice. They are arguing that the paint would have bubbled too, however it wouldn't necessarily do that...remember the S hood scoops melting?
I'm not entirely sure it's purely heat related, any idea what else may have caused it?
Gokart7, they will replace the whole car if they think it's their fault. I have the consumer editors from whatcar and autocar very interested. Thinking of taking photos to my local coach works.

 

[GoKart7]

Thanks guys, some good advice. They are arguing that the paint would have bubbled too, however it wouldn't necessarily do that...remember the S hood scoops melting?
I'm not entirely sure it's purely heat related, any idea what else may have caused it?
Gokart7, they will replace the whole car if they think it's their fault. I have the consumer editors from whatcar and autocar very interested. Thinking of taking photos to my local coach works.

Humphry

Autoexpress did a piece with me on my A5 problem - much noted on here

If I would advise you - it's a gimmick - they just use you to get a story out - their most important concern is to print not help you - as was my case - good luck - if you need further advice a lot of us are here now - also make sure you have pictures documented with time and place...

 

[MD1]

this along with bonnets that dent easily (mine when washing the car) - seems to get a good pedestrian score in crash tests the metal is too thin

 

[cosmic68]

this along with bonnets that dent easily (mine when washing the car) - seems to get a good pedestrian score in crash tests the metal is too thin

Did you get it mended?

 

[MintMark]

When I was "learning" how to close my bonnet I pressed down above one of the catches and the bonnet surface popped in... and thankfully popped out again. I was surprised at how flexible it was.

 

[profiteroles]

If the engine was that hot surely the radiator fan would be on... could it have been down to a faulty fan and thus the engine overheating when left stationary but hot? Have they checked operation of the fan?

 

[Sunbar]

Is the bonnet on the underside double-skinned and sealed in some way (including any sound absorbsion material and sealant)? I'm still waiting (and waiting) for my Cooper so I don't know the construction!

Purely as an idea, the type of damage suggests to me there was possibly a partial vacuum. So any air inside initially expanded with heat past any sealing then cooled slightly causing a slight vacuum which the panel could not withstand, so it deformed inwards or imploded?

I don't see that any temperature difference over a exceptionally hot engine normally would distort a steel panel without some other force being present.

 

[F56-S FNQAus]

I've just taken a photo of my bonnet underside to show the lining on my S. (pic in 'my garage') I'd imagine the lining would of experienced at least some heat damage? It seems soft and spongy to touch and is held in place with plastic buttons.

 

[MintMark]

Interesting idea... the bonnet is double skinned and there are gaps at the corners of the edges... but I don't know what the construction is between the layers... there could be a sealed cavity I suppose. There's also a black covering on the inside... don't know if it's to absorb sound or reflect heat or whatever... behind that are the tubes for the washer nozzles.

 

[Darex]

I have noticed the bonnet/front remains hot for a long time after having parked -- as if having just parked. It seemed excessive, given I'd returned over an hour earlier.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[profiteroles]

I'd be interested to know the thoughts of some of the members based in hotter countries (USA, OZ etc)...

 

[F56-S FNQAus]

Being in Australia and it's mid-winter here atm but reaching a top of 27c where I am, have not experienced summer yet with the Cooper S. When I checked under the hood just before, it was still warm after cooling down for 3 hours (it's evening here now)

 

[Black&White_D]

Do not take this the wrong my theory ... The Mini was parked on the street? May not have been such a basketball? Are hard, and heavy rubber which could have made it ... Good luck in solving