I have an 06' Cooper S with 15% pulley with 67,000 miles.

I threw a check engine code P2096 last week. So I went to the dealership and they told me to run a compression check and compression leak down test as these cars tend to burn the exhaust side valves wich in turn can cause this code while keeping in mind it could be a number of other causes.

Compression Check Results:
Cyl 1: 170
Cyl 2: 160
Cyl 3: 160
Cyl 4: 170

Compression Leak down Results:
Cyl 1: 10% (exhaust side)
Cyl 2: 11% (exhaust side)
Cyl 3: 15% (exhaust side)
Cyl 4: 10% (exhaust side)
The Mini tech said anything over 8% on a compression leak down test is not good at all.

I ended up pulling some things apart when I got home and it turns out I have a cracked intake pipe as well as leaky intercooler boots which I am replacing tomorrow. I just want to keep this car reliable and fun. I am not looking to turn this into a race car by any means.

If my check engine code goes away as a result of me replacing the boots/ pipe; should I look into pulling/ fixing the head?

Thanks so much for your input.

 

Honestly NO, I ran my car for at least 40k (160,000-200,000)with between 125-135lbs of compression & it ran just fine as far as get-in-n-drive, hell even now @ 212,000 and only 110lbs across the deck it would still run fine for everyday if I didn't have a valve going in #1.

And as far as the variance between the cylinders goes, if it's not enough to give you a code than I wouldn't mess with it until you have to, so if your code goes away after your repairs, don't worry about it.

 

Ok thanks because the Mini Tech is suggesting I replace the head on my car. I just don't think it is necesary right now.

Thanks again for the input!

 

No cylinder seals perfectly, especially if the engine is supercharged, or turbocharged where the top and second rings are set with wide ring endgaps. Even for normally aspirated engines, respectable leakage numbers would be anywhere from 8 to 12 percent with a variation between cylinders of 4 to 5 percent, but it's possible the variation could be as high as 10 percent.
So if you test an engine and see leakage numbers even in the 15 to 20 percent range, this is not cause for alarm. Much of your concern around an engine that needs freshening should revolve around exactly where the leakage originates. That's where we'll go next.This is just my opinion.

 

Also, I'm a little suspicious, why would they recomend a compression check for a Post-Cat code?