Found this about cleaning the valves. Carbon Build-Up Cleaning - Library There is also a discussion thread about that here too. Sorry that one I could not find. Someone will chime in here soon with a link.
Here we go. First off, I'm posting from my mobile while waiting at the dentist's office, so bear with me... I just got off the phone with MINI. It seems that my plugs are fouled, my valves are cruddy and the timing jumped. From what I've been reading, standard fare. So, I'm stuck with the Bimmer for a few more days and Nigel is helping himself to my $1400.00 without so much as a kiss or a decent tug on my hair. :incazzato: So now I'm thinking I should buy an extra cylinder head complete with valve cover and keep it on the shelf in my shop. Oh, and I guess I'm gonna have to build a super computer to go where my tool box used to set just so I can clear codes and what not. What the hell did I get myself into? I'm starting to hate the fact that I love this stupid car so much!!!
This is a bummer man. All stuff that could have been prevented if the previous owner was an enthusiast. But now you are the enthusiast and will keep it running like it should!
I certainly hope so. My beer fund can't stand to take too many more hits like this. At this rate I'll be back to drinking Milwaukee's Best. :biggrin5: At the risk of sounding like a total newb... Where would one acquire said catch can?
Welcome to M/A the FUN Mini Site. You also want to change your oil way more often then MINI / BMW says.(12 K -15 K)
Welcome! I've been changing my oil at about 5K. I have a BSH Oil Catch Can. BSH Mini Cooper R56 Competition Catch Can - BSH Speedshop Because it has a baffle and also a dipstick to check the level of dino snot that accumulates. If you get one, you have to block off the PCV line that goes to the throttle body, or it will be ineffective. Some people remove the hose and block off the holes with a plug from a Peugeot or an Audi. I have a boost gauge, so I used BSH's Dual Boost Tap. BSH R56 Mini Cooper Direct Dual Boost Tap - BSH Speedshop It comes with a plug that blocks the PVC line but leaves it in place. I'm not promoting their stuff, it's just what I bought. The other PVC line goes through the turbocharger, so if you block off the primary PVC line you must put an oil catch can on the other line. It keeps the oil mist, coming from the PCV system, from cooking on the backs of the intake valves and eventually blocking the intakes, a common problem on our direct injected engines. In the winter, I empty mine weekly, when I check the oil in the engine. I use one of these, from Harbor Freight to suck the goop out of the catch can, through the dipstick hole. Battery Filler It doesn't collect as much in the summer as in the winter, with cooler temperatures. Dave
You can get them a lot of places. Here is a link to Helix: Helix Motorsports There is some new theories that are saying the catch can keeps air flowing properly and helps prevent the carbon build-up. At least on the top side of the engine. Like Dave.0 said..... Changing your oil every 5k is IMPERATIVE in your R56... Especially since the turbo uses oil for cooling. Good luck.
Clint from Defenders of Speed here, If you haven't ordered that catch can yet, but want to get it relatively quickly, DoS is up in San Francisco. We have BSH R56 Oil Catch Cans and R56 Dual Boost Taps in stock and ready to ship. We also have our N14 Seafoam Fogger Kits in stock to help keep your intake valves happy & carbon-free. (That's the end of my product plug!:arf I wish you sincere good luck with getting your current MINI woes sorted out. -Clint
:cornut:I have all of this on Margi(08 BRG R56 MCS/JCWm) except the 'fogger' and all works fine and no carbon problems ~50kmi. I do 'Seafoam'(the aerosol Seafoam) every 3kmi but through the intake as there wasn't a fogger when I bought the BSH OCC and BSH dual tap boost(very important part that forces ALL of the blow by through the OCC) from(drum roll) Defenders Of Speed 50kmi ago. They're good people. Jason
I got a phone call this evening from The dealership. It looks like they've finished the car and want to keep it one more night so the tech can start it cold in the AM to make sure all is well. So, it looks like I'll be picking it up tomorrow. 'Just in time too because I'm about to punch this BMW square in the grille! Don't get me wrong, it's a really great car but it has that "lets just go ahead and kill the engine at every stoplight just to screw with you under the guise of saving the environment" feature, which wouldn't be bad if the engine didn't shake violently for a second when it starts back up. Until you're used to it, you get this sick "oh crap" feeling. When you finally get comfy with the fact that the car isn't broken, it's just down right annoying. Especially whilst setting in rush hour traffic. What an utterly stupid and useless feature. I think I'd rather have a car that only plays NPR on the radio at the highest volume setting and the treble all the way up and no knob to turn it off.:mad2:
I've been in one like that before.... When the engine first turned off I was like WTF just happened? I think it's a bad idea by BMW.... Too many on and offs..... Doesn't that put extra wear and tear on your engine? Glad you are getting your car back
That's what I've always known to be true. You waste more gas in start up than you do just letting it idle and constantly turning the engine off and on causes excessive wear. That is unless it has some sort of electric oil pump which keeps the engine primed all the time.
Well... I'm not getting the car back until Monday now. He was pretty vague other than telling me that the tech got pulled off the job to handle a string of "wait" style services and ran out of time today to finish. Hey guys, do me a favor and don't schedule your oil changes until tuesday so I can get my freakin' car back! :incazzato: :biggrin5: Just kidding. Many years ago, I was doing the same job my current service advisor is doing now. Only, I did it at a Jeep garage. I know what kind of thankless job it can be and calling people and suggesting to them how they should literally spend thousands of their dollars is not an easy job. In fact, it's about as stressful as any job I've ever had INCLUDING the whole combat medic thing I did in Iraq. So, I took it easy on him. :wink: I have a car I can drive right now, so all is well. Would I like to be takin' some hard turns down De Luz this weekend? You bettcha! But, I'm not gonna get too torqued over it. After all, I want the car to be right when I get it back. Overall, I can not complain about the customer service side of my dealer. Hell, they're even gonna wash the car before they give it back to me. :beer
:cornut: I have a Combat Medical Badge myself and if there's thing one that soldiers learn how to do it's: hurry up and wait. Jason