235k Minis recalled over fire fears 17 | 01 | 2012

MINI HAS RECALLED more than 235,000 Minis worldwide after fears of a potential fire risk were discovered. The company has highlighted a problem caused by faulty electric water pumps.

The recall includes Cooper S and range-topping John Cooper Works models across all bodystyles built between March 2006 and January 2011. A total of 29,868 cars in the UK are affected.

Investigations by the company showed heat build-up in the wiring could spark ‘smouldering’. It should be stressed, there have only been four fires globally, and only one in the UK.

Letters have been sent to owners of Mini cars affected by the problem. It asks them to take their car to their dealer and get a new water pump fitted if there is a problem.

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An official statement issued by Mini said:

"The turbocharged engine of the Cooper S and John Cooper Works engines is equipped with an additional water pump which draws residual heat out of the turbocharger after the engine has been switched off, to prevent carbon build-up of the oil in the bearing. Under high operating temperatures an electro-migration can occur at the circuit board installed in the additional water pump.

"The electro-migration is caused by plastic additives in conjunction with high temperatures and can lead to a failure of the additional water pump. This can lead to a failure of the additional water pump or smouldering and in extremely rare cases the possibility of a fire cannot be excluded."

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Jim McGill