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Stock Problems/IssuesDiscussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S(R56), and Cabrio (R57).
- I apologize, but I posted something similar in the "what have you done today" thread, but thought I'd get more feedback here and would be of more interest here.
2009 MC, CR/B, N12, 93,000 kms - as a quick background, bought used recently, having persistent P0015 fault codes:
Today, I did some more DIY work with the parts I got from ECS Tuning:
replaced 4 spark plugs (original were BERU, replaced with Bosch) and two coils (Bosch); spark plug in cylinder 1 had a bunch oil in the spark plug well and I tried to get creative getting that out (attached a drinking straw with duct tape to a shop-vac). The other three plugs were fine, but all were highly carbonized and all threads had oily residue; start of white ceramic on each plug had brown staining on them from the oil. The procedure was overall, EASIER than I thought. The oil issues now makes me wonder what the hell the previous owner did - I see in the service records that 2 LITRES!! of oil was topped up only about 4000km from the last oil change .. I highly suspect this caused a lot of these oil issues and possibly the cause of a lot of the other issues I am having..... ;
removed front (exhaust) VANOS solenoid to clean. THIS was A LOT HARDER than it sounds, but only because of the limited space you have to work with. I don't have huge hands, but I wish they were tinier for this job. Solenoid had brown staining/varnishing on it, but otherwise didn't look that dirty. Cleaned with degreaser and put back in. Have two new ones on the way, so next weekend they may both be replaced;
changed air filter. There are a lot of hoses attached to this, but if you loosen the main bolts on the air filter housing you can lift it up enough to replace the filter without taking off all the hoses. Air filter wasn't too dirty, but couldn't "see the sun through it" so I suppose no harm in changing;
replaced the air cabin filter - mine was one of the ones without screws. There is a slot that a screwdriver fits it that you can press and it will swivel down. Others have screws I am told. Not terribly dirty, but no harm in replacing I suppose.
This may all be placebo effect, but on first test drive, everything seems A LOT smoother and even the air in the cabin seems "fresher." Haven't got the stuttering/misfire that I was getting last week, so I think the plug change was needed and was a good choice.
Will save front and rear VANOS solenoid replacement for next week (parts on their way) and since it's in the area and will be exposed when I'm working on the rear VANOS solenoid, I'll add the newer chain tensioner part that I got. It seems REALLY tight back there to do those two - ANY SUGGESTIONS, HINTS?
Then took the MC for a wash and detailed the summer wheels and tires (installed two new non-runflats earlier in the week) .... THEN ....... CHECK ENGINE LIGHT .... dammit!!! Still getting code P0015 ...
AND .... a bulb replacement message warning light, but for the life of me .. I checked all bulbs and all are working .... HELP!?
I've added some pics of the spark plugs, if anyone here can read these automotive tea leaves ....
If you had oil in your plugs then the VCG is likely leaking. If you have p0015, that is a camshaft timing issue. So I would recommend pulling off the VC and checking the chain tensioners for wear or breakage. A new VCG is about $25 and a new VC is about $93 (including the gasket) on ebay. I just replaced my VC with the ebay one and no more leaks. And I got to check the top tensioner and chain while I was in there. It is a very easy DIY.
Well, I would start with swiping Vanoses (rear to front and front to rear). If the error code changes, the problem is in solenoid. If not, check the chain, when it’s worn out it may initiate p0015.
Another thing is to check the vanos oil rings on camshafts, they may also cause this CEL
Well, I would start with swiping Vanoses (rear to front and front to rear). If the error code changes, the problem is in solenoid. If not, check the chain, when it’s worn out it may initiate p0015.
Another thing is to check the vanos oil rings on camshafts, they may also cause this CEL
I thought of that, but I was getting P00013 earlier (intake VANOS), so swapping may not have been definitive. I have two new ones on order, so I'll install one or both to see if P0015 goes away. If not, onto the timing chain ....
Well, I would start with swiping Vanoses (rear to front and front to rear). If the error code changes, the problem is in solenoid. If not, check the chain, when it’s worn out it may initiate p0015.
Another thing is to check the vanos oil rings on camshafts, they may also cause this CEL
What is or where is the VANOS oil ring? Do you mean the tiny gasket that's part of the solenoid?
I thought of that, but I was getting P00013 earlier (intake VANOS), so swapping may not have been definitive. I have two new ones on order, so I'll install one or both to see if P0015 goes away. If not, onto the timing chain ....
if I were you, I would start getting ready for timing chain replacement.. It shouldn't take more than 4-5 hours. No special tools required except for camshafts holder, which you can rent or print on 3D printer like I did.
If you had oil in your plugs then the VCG is likely leaking. If you have p0015, that is a camshaft timing issue. So I would recommend pulling off the VC and checking the chain tensioners for wear or breakage. A new VCG is about $25 and a new VC is about $93 (including the gasket) on ebay. I just replaced my VC with the ebay one and no more leaks. And I got to check the top tensioner and chain while I was in there. It is a very easy DIY.
Did you end up doing anything to your tensioner and chain? How did they look under the VC? If so, did it make a difference?
if I were you, I would start getting ready for timing chain replacement.. It shouldn't take more than 4-5 hours. No special tools required except for camshafts holder, which you can rent or print on 3D printer like I did.
Where did you get the specs to 3D print the camshaft tool?
04-28-2018, 02:10 PM
