Hampton Roads Club Mini

Okay, here's the run down; Tyler's 07 started missing. Not sure if it threw a CEL or not. I'll have to check. Anyway, he takes it to Orlando MINI. They diagnose a multi cylinder misfire. Carbon on the valves is thought to be the culprit. I know they said they we pulling the head to clean the combustion chamber and the tops of the pistons. I find out today, after 1100 bucks, NO, they only pulled the intake. Cleaned the intake runner and the intake valves. NOW, they have it running better, but #2 cylinder is still missing. They think the seats need to be lapped. How about spending another 3100 bucks? Personally, I think they don't have a clue. Doing a leakdown test, #2 shows a 90% leakdown, so something isn't sealing. Thinking it could be a piece of carbon dislodged and sticking under the valve. Which "should" clear itself out with a bit of running. Unfortunately, he's down there.

No way in Hell I'm spending 4200 hard earned bucks with Orlando MINI. I can imagine, they'll even find more stuff and who knows where the price will end up. Stuck now trying to figure out what to do now. Thinking of heading down with a trailer and picking up the car. But what then? Drop it off with Way in Atlanta? Back here to Terry at Atlantic? Maybe up to Crown, though I'm sure they'll just check the computer, since they're all linked. Wonder if they'd just play the line and stick with Orlando MINI's thoughts?

Anybody heard of this stuff?

OUCH! 

Well that sucks Dale. I would call Terry and ask him what he thinks. He has never steered me wrong. I've taken my '06 there quite a few times and he told me to take it back to the dealer and have them fix it under warranty. It's out of warranty now and I still take it to Terry to fix. In the same breath I have heard some really good things about Way too.

Crown maintenance department isn't as good as it used to be. I think it has to do with management. If you go with a trailer and come back here it's a shorter drive than going by Atlanta. Best of luck.

What about using SEAFOAM. Not sure if that's the correct spelling. I saw some post on NAM about using it for cleaning carbon buildup. Seems to work well. I was thinking of using it myself.

Don

Here's what I know as of now. And sorry I do. ALL, repeat ALL, R56 Cooper S's will do this. Seems there is something on the was the oil vapors recirculate back into the motors. What us old guy used to refer to as the PCV valve. With the extreme length of oil change intervals, the engine is more likely to ingest carbon deposits which collect into the intake runners of the head and on the valve stems and back side of the valve head. Also, with the direct injection engine, the fuel injected into the chamber also leads to carbon deposits. So, what's the big deal on the back side of the valve you may ask. Well, it's this. That carbon build up acts like a sponge. When the fuel is injected into the runner, the carbon build up absorbs the fuel and takes an already lean burning engine and  makes it even leaner. This plays havoc with the fuel ration and the computer really doesn't like it much. The build up continues on the combustion chamber as well. SO much so that the valve will actually have carbon build up around the head of the valve and can get some trapped between the valve and the seat. This is what is believed to have happened to Tyler's. The valve head actually works like a rake and pulls the carbon into the seat area.

At that point, all that can be done is to remove the head, disassemble the valves and clean the combustion chambers. I spoke with Todd Hartje at CF today and he was a wealth of info. He says he's seeing LOTS of these cars with this problem. My contact at Orlando MINI says people have actually traded their cars on new ones due to the cost of repairs. In turn, the dealer gets a car with a new motor that is actually a certified used MINI. They even keep long blocks in stock!

The consensus is change your oil MUCH more frequently than needed. I've heard every 5-7500 miles. That's what I'm doing. Seafoam will probably help, IF you use it early enough. Otherwise, it's too late. The seafoam will just be absorbed into the carbon and not be nearly as efficient. It does work. I used it in my Jeep and damn did it make a difference. The Clubbie will get it this week. Also suggested is good fuel, but we already knew that, right? Using a fuel additive with Techron is thought to help too. Though I'm thinking seafoam in the fuel tank will help loosen deposits over time. I'm thinking a bottle every 2 or three tanks.

I'm also hearing and thinking good things about an oil catch can like the one from BSH. LIKE THIS

Do you just add the Seafoam to your gas tank? I read on NAM where people were disconnecting a hose and putting 1/3 can of seafoam in the hose. Apparently they then start the car and it smokes like crazy for a few minutes and then clears up.

Don

Dan is most assuredly on my short list. If it comes back to this area, I'll really think hard about running down to Dan. I"ve heard nothing but good things about both his work and him as a person.

At the moment I'm waiting to see if MINI will chip in toward the repair costs. Todd at CF said they've been helping people that have kept up with factory servicing. I'm hoping with owning two MINI's and having a lot of work done at dealerships will help. MINI has helped out with sunroof repairs in the past too, so hopefully I haven't worn out my welcome. I also added I'm part of HR MINI, frequent all the boards, also members of several other MINI groups and organize MINI events. Not sure if that will help, but it can't hurt.

As a last ditch effort, I'll use the "What did I do to cause this problem?" line.

I'm a BIG fan of:

Seafoam
Every 4th fillup into the gastank
Into the oil when there's 250 miles before changing

Futomo drain plug
This makes oil changes a BREEZE!
Helpful tip: Buy a silicone oven mitt (most are heat resistant to 425 degrees) and you can literally change the oil after running the car for 10-15 minutes (or longer).  Warmer oil drains faster and more completely.