I bought my Mini a year ago, and it has always had trouble starting. There were many diagnosis and fixes to the engine.

Ultimately a few weeks ago I was told I needed a new oil pump because there was a low oil pressure issue in my engine. Mini dealer replaced it, but the car was still having low oil pressure issues; they looked further and realized the bearings in the engine were dull. They said I need a new engine, $8,000.

I owe 7,700 on the car. The engine will cost $8,000. What do I do?

 

Take is somewhere else for a better diagnosis.

Unfortunately the dealers don't have the diagnostic training that many of the independent shops do that specialize in either MINI or Euro.

It is rare that these cars have low oil pressure issues.

What exactly is the car doing? Slow crank? Fast crank? Crank no start? Just starter clicking? Stumbling to run?

 

It was having trouble starting.

They first diagnosed it as a battery issue, then replaced the timing chain, then said my engine wasn't getting enough oil. They said the oil sensor had been disconnected and reconnected it. Now the red oil light keeps flashing and beeping.

 

Sorry to hear this I would get to an indy shop, if the engine is bad get a used or rebuilt. Sounds like its been monkeyed with, or multiple problems that they are trying to narrow down. Has the engine been starved of oil ?

 

Sounds like the gimme your money chain of diagnostic operation.

Did they properly test your battery? What was the results of said test?

Did they check engine timing? Even a car that is minimally out of time will start, if it is any more than minimal you make valve contact and loose compression. What compression numbers did they give you? Leak down test?

How did they deduce that the engine "wasn't getting oil"? Did they pull main cap bearings, rod bearings, pop the cam caps to inspect cam wear, do a metal content analysis on your oil, plumb in a mechanical pressure gauge, inspect cam lobes for cavitation, check cylinder walls for scoring?

There is so much information that they owe you before trying to tell you that you need to spend $8k on a new engine plus install and fluids.

 

They pulled off the bearing caps for the cam and found them worn.

 

They pulled off the bearing caps for the cam and found they were worn. They showed me pictures.

 

Find a reputable indie shop to give it a second look.

When you push the ignition does the car sound like it is cranking properly, like a normal crank? Or is it drawn and low?

You could need a HPFP if it is a long crank or crank no start, or a carbon blast if it is a fast crank no start. There are so many cheap options to fix your car that the dealer techs aren't trained to look for aside from the normal problems, this is where the indie shops come in with expansive amounts of knowledge on actual diagnosis.

 

Ok, thank you for your advice. I appreciate it!