Not the most wonderful engine design in the world, if losing the timing chain will allow a piston and valve collision. And it’s worse if losing a vacuum pump will cause the timing chain to be lost.
A vacuum pump caused the timing chain to break?
Anyone who drives a Mini Cooper deserves everything that happens to them.
Mini is not listed here, not sure why.
That’s why we call them Stealerships.
A failed vacuum pump caused the timing chain to snap? Can somebody explain that to me?
What’s a vacuum pump on an engine? I thought they all tapped the vacuum in the intake manifold.
I recall seeing vacuum “motors” that drove windshield wipers eons ago.
The Brits are outstanding people but I think it was firmly established decades ago that they didn’t know how to build automobiles.
My solution after my last VW is that I’ll never buy another European car.
What I don’t understand is why she needs a new engine if she only has bent valves. Get the head fixed, check the engine bores for damage and put it back together. Easy to do and doesn’t break the bank.
Now, if she dropped a valve or valve seat or both, then the block or at least the piston it happened on is history.
She might want to throw on a new timing chain, guides and tensioners as well.
whoa, glad I didn’t buy one, they are really attractive cars
My family has owned 11 Hondas. We currently own 4. Never had a problem with any of them. The timing belt change on my 05 Odyssey was pricy but the Civics and Accords were reasonable. My son’s 02 Civic gets between 35 and 41 MPG.
Well, there’s THIS:
http://www.forthepeople.com/class-action-lawyers/mini-cooper-timing-chain-lawsuit
My second car was a 74 Triumph Spitfire that I bought at a used car dealer here in Norfolk. (We finance E-1 and up) It lasted for 12 of the 18 payments and threw a rod. Vowed to never own another British car.
I also had an 88 Dodge Dakota truck. The owners manual stated to use MOPAR Type 7176 or Dextron II transmission fluid. After the SECOND transmission overhaul I found out that Dextron II would cause the transmission to fail. BTW as of two years ago that truck was STILL on the road.
The mid 2000’s VW Passat had an “engine sludge” issue that caused a large percentage of engine failures and 10k bills. VW kept it a secret and when they failed they pulled the same thing, offering to pay half of the inflated charges which basically got them off the hook financially for a flawed engine design.
I think I’d rather have the government be a watchdog for these types of things rather than suing and fining other companies for no consumer protection reason but becuase it;s boatloads of $$ for government.
Stupid woman.
Did she get the car checked out with CarFax?
That’s what I did before I bought my used car.
It checks for maintenance history, water damage and accident damage - stuff your used car salesman won’t tell you.
You get peace of mind when you buy a used car. I consider it important to do your homework before you buy a used car.
3 year old used car, she had it for a year, You pay your money and take your chances. She should have bought a Toyota, she would still be driving and happy.