1st Gen R53 Cooper S Engine Died - Now it won't start!

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by MiniMadMike, Aug 3, 2015.

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  1. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #21 ScottinBend, Aug 5, 2015
    I would also double or even triple check those compression numbers........
     
  2. myles2go

    myles2go Active Member

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    #22 myles2go, Aug 5, 2015
    I'm not sure it is the timing chain. That would affect all cylinders equally.
     
  3. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #23 Minidave, Aug 5, 2015
    No compression.......who suggested that was the problem????? :D

    I think it done blowed up.
     
  4. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #24 MCS02, Aug 5, 2015
    Good job Minidave. I thought you were barking up the wrong tree. Maybe Nathan should start an advice of the month award.:D
     
  5. Goldsmithy

    Goldsmithy MINI Alliance Ambassador
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    #25 Goldsmithy, Aug 5, 2015
    Blowing 3 cylinders at the same time with no codes?????? I would think that the dash lights would look like Christmas trees...
     
  6. MiniMadMike

    MiniMadMike New Member

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    #26 MiniMadMike, Aug 6, 2015
    No dash lights when it broke down whatsoever :(

    Will re-check the compression just incase i messed something up the first time, and will check the timing as its a quick job. If I get no joy the head is coming off :'(

    I'll report back at the weekend. Thanks for all of your help guys!
     
  7. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #27 Minidave, Aug 6, 2015
    I'm not suggesting Mike isn't telling us the truth, but when he pulls the head off and finds carnage inside......well, every time someone tells me the car was just idling and died and I see huge destruction inside or a well ventilated block, it makes me wonder whether seconds before he was foot to the floor in the lower gears or missed a shift........just before it quit! :biggrin5:


    BTW, doesn't the engine sound significantly different when it cranks over? Absent compression on three cylinders, it should........


    Can't wait to see some photos, Mike! :Thumbsup:
     
  8. Crashton

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    #28 Crashton, Aug 6, 2015
    Oh the old money shift. BANG $$$$
     
  9. MiniMadMike

    MiniMadMike New Member

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    #29 MiniMadMike, Aug 9, 2015
    Hello Team,

    Well I found the problem, I'll let the pics do the talking...

    image.jpg1_zps7ngjpxsd.jpg image.jpg2_zpsknr2stmo.jpg image.jpg3_zpsobwtaidl.jpg image.jpg4_zpskws91jkg.jpg

    Yep! The Camshaft snapped. Looks like it's due to a manufacturing issue with the casting of the shaft itself - the split that runs into the centre of the material lines up exactly with the casting line that runs along the length of the shaft.

    This camshaft is only 5k miles old - it was replaced with the cylinder head 5k miles ago (due to the ejection of a spark plug - unrelated issue).

    Definitely one for the x-files, looks like I've been unlucky.

    Thanks for all the advice guys.
     
  10. Systemlord

    Systemlord New Member

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    #30 Systemlord, Aug 9, 2015
    I never would have guessed a snapped camshaft, I believe you might not have any other issues resulting from the split-up, the valves probably just closed up quick like. That cam definitely has a serious casting flaw!
     
  11. MiniMadMike

    MiniMadMike New Member

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    #31 MiniMadMike, Aug 9, 2015
    Yeah I've had an endoscope down the bores and we'v not had any contact or anything like that. Can't see any other damage so as you say the valve probs closed up and that was that. Think I've been lucky in that respect. But yeah pretty crazy issue!
     
  12. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #32 MCS02, Aug 9, 2015
    Glad you found it!
     
  13. vetsvette

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    #33 vetsvette, Aug 9, 2015
    Not something you see every day, that's for sure. I believe I would be having a talk with whoever supplied that camshaft!
     
  14. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #34 Minidave, Aug 9, 2015
    Best possible outcome from a worst case scenario!

    You'll have it up and running again in no time - good job.....:Thumbsup:
     
  15. MiniMadMike

    MiniMadMike New Member

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    #35 MiniMadMike, Aug 9, 2015
    Cheers guys!!
     
  16. Nathan

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    #36 Nathan, Aug 9, 2015
    Pop over to the plant in Oxford, cam in hand, ask nicely for a new one. :ihih:
     
  17. Systemlord

    Systemlord New Member

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    #37 Systemlord, Aug 9, 2015
    If it's a reputable shop they should be happy to supply you with a new replacement camshaft since the casting flaw is easy to see and since I'm assuming they installed the camshaft they should install it as well. I'm sure the shop will be happy for the simply fact that your motor wasn't damaged by their rebuild work. I would also contact the manufacture and let them know about the casting flaw, that way if there are other's like you out there that start splitting cams in half at least they will know.

    Let us know what happens.
     
  18. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #38 Minidave, Aug 9, 2015
    I'm not sure that's aftermarket stuff, he said he replaced the old head cause a spark plug blew out and ruined the threads (I assume) so it could just be a used factory stock head.

    Mike?
     
  19. MiniMadMike

    MiniMadMike New Member

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    #39 MiniMadMike, Aug 10, 2015
    Morning guys,

    Yes it was a (new) factory standard Cooper S head with valve train. I've now had it agreed with the supplier (not BMW) that they'll give me a replacement camshaft free of charge so all is well.
     
  20. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #40 Minidave, Aug 10, 2015
    You'll be back on the road in no time, hope the valves weren't damaged - I know you said you had a borescope in it and didn't see anything - hope that's right!
     
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