2nd Gen R56 2007 mini unmetered air code

Discussion in '2nd Generation: 2007+ R55 through R61' started by mini cooper junkie George, Apr 30, 2023.

  1. mini cooper junkie George

    Apr 30, 2023
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    first post I got a 2007 mini cooper S in January with 114,000 miles. had a miss in #4 cylinder. did a head job found one intake valve broken. complete work over on head. got it all back together... have a code for after thottle air leak... using an Autel scanner.
    So far.. replaced the PCV hose from valve cover to intake - replace the intake - replaced the valve cover ( PCV orange rubber disk gasket damaged)
    pulled fuel rail (again) just to make sure no sealing rings were broken or missing. checked all fittings and air hose connections.
    in the rebuild NEW vanos / camshaft sensor / oil sending unit / thermostat housing / rebult oil filer base / installed new Turbo / turbo oil return line / pre CAT O2 sensor / timing chain and related guide's / used but new vacuum pump / plugs / coils and a few missing screws bolts and nails.
    reactions: car starts great runs 3 to 4 minutes then idle start going up and down (by tack - 100-200 revs) if i raise tack to 1500-2000 the car will run 4-5 minutes ish. then starts slowing down. code reader live data shows lean condition and rate up and down 200-300 revs. keeping it running and clear codes it all goes back to normal and runs again for 3-4 minutes . then just up and dies.. actual code states unmetered air leak - after throttle... WHAT am i missing here.
    I have not changed vapor purge valve but have checked all hoses in engine bay and the all all good. vacuum pump good no leaks there as it can sit for 3 days and when i pull a line off its still holding vacuum you can hear the hiss sound. this is not my first mini job i own 5 of them now 2007-2008-2009-2010-2011 Any information will REALLY be helpful. thanks G
     
  2. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Jul 31, 2009
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    Welcome to MA!

    Have you looked at the plastic piping that goes from the turbo to the intake. They are bad about splitting as they get old and brittle.
     
  3. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

    Feb 24, 2013
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    Welcome to Motoring Alliance. Could the Vanos timing be off ??
     
  4. mini cooper junkie George

    Apr 30, 2023
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    this one is not plastic... at is metal up to the elbow that goes into the MA
    I have checked timing 2 times more and its all good. the vanos vale is a new one as well
     
  5. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Do you have a catch can on it? If so check to make sure the drain is closed
     
  6. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    Never would have thought of that in a whole bunch of years. Is this a don’t ask me how I know ??
     
  7. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    Reread your initial post and would a smoke test be helpful in this case ??
     
  8. mini cooper junkie George

    Apr 30, 2023
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    no catch can... this is pretty much stock.. just a newer type air box
     
  9. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Yes a smoke test may help but it sounds like everything has been double checked. Odd. It does not take much to set a code.
     
  10. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Yes it is…….
    I have a duel catch can on the Lotus. I was having idle problems. In the software it was showing all my corrections maxed out. Everyone was scratching their heads. Then some asked if I had a catch can. That was it, one drain was left open.
     
  11. mini cooper junkie George

    Apr 30, 2023
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    I did watch a video from the UK in which the valve cover was actually bad the internal part of the PCV system was defective thus setting the unmetered air code... that will be the bext thing is to take the old one apart and view its internal componets.
     
  12. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    That would be bad if the new one is bad.
     
  13. mini cooper junkie George

    Apr 30, 2023
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    yes it would be bad. the guy from UK showed how the valve inside the cover just inside the breather line from the turbo was just a little to long -3mm to much to fully seat down when the turbo was activated. this was showing the code for unmetered air. and his cover was a new - but after market one. not the 350.00 dollar cover but a 75-100 one. So i guess anything is possible. I will post my findings after re-searching my cover.
     
  14. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    Although I understand the cost factor, finding the problem and being able to correct it finally is a big win in my book.
     

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