Posted on 6/11/2025
We are approaching summer here in Oregon and the outdoor temperature is starting to rise. Your Mini or BMW air conditioning system rarely gets used during the colder winter months, so when that first 80 degree day hits in Portland, the calls start coming in to Pacific Motorsports for air conditioning recharge service. In most cases, the air conditioning refrigerant is low, and the system stops working due to low pressures. In those cases, we perform the refrigerant service and inspect for leaks in the system. If there are no leaks detected, we fill the system with the proper amount of refrigerant (R134a or R1234yf), PAG oil, and test. In very few cases, there is a failure of a component and the system is low. This is rare, but it does happen and requires diagnosis and replacement of the failed component. Around 2017 or so, BMW and Mini Cooper air conditioning system switched over to a new type of refrigerant ... read more
Posted on 4/28/2021
The latest Hankook Tire Gauge Index survey results released in the last 60 days indicate that American drivers continue to neglect the maintenance of their vehicles. Specifically, they’re not checking their vehicles’ basic fluids, like oil and coolant, nor tire pressures; simple things that most people can perform themselves. Since not every car has indicators for oil and coolant (whether warning lights for low level or gauges for temperature), it is quite easy to overlook the early signs of fluid consumption or leakage. As a result, we often see vehicles towed in from overheating due to low coolant here at Pacific Motorsports. If you don’t know what to look for on your BMW or MINI in this regard, please ask, we’d be happy to show you how to perform these basic checks. This way you may be less likely to make “unplanned visits” to see us. Our preference here at Pacific Motorsports is towards preventive maintenance, rather than breakdown repair for ... read more