Hello everyone this is my first post. I have had my 2008 mini cooper s for about 8 months now. About a month ago my check engine light turned on and during my service visit last week I had them check the codes. I was very surprised to see so many and I am hopeful that someone can shed some light on them and hopefully tell me that a few of them are related.

The codes are as follows;

2A7F O2 sensor after catalytic converter (electric)
2A56 O2 Sensor after catalytic converter (function)
2B5C Air Mass Sensor plausibility
289E Boost Pressure Sensor electric
2B64 Intake manifold Unmetered air
28A5 Boost Pressure sensor plausibility

Also, could some of these be old codes that have already been taken care of?

Any help is appreciated.

Daryl

 

Welcome to NAM, Daryl! It looks like the codes that were given to you are the MINI FC codes and not the actual P code. Below is a few of the P codes with associated MINI FC. Some of them could be old stored codes so what you can do is clear them and then wait for the CEL to come back and then read what codes are being throw. Are there any noticeable symptoms or just the CEL?

P115C 0x2775 or 0x2B56 or 0x2B58 or 0x2B5C - Mass Air Volume Flow 'A' Too Low
P1497 0x2B64 - Downstream Throttle Air Leak
P12A3 0x28A5 - Turbocharger Boost Pressure, Minimum Pressure Front of Throttle Valve Implausible - some good info in this NAM thread here.

I'd first start by clearing the codes and seeing what comes back. With a few of these codes I'd be curious if you possibly have a valve cover issue. You can have the shop check for a vacuum leak by doing a smoke test. Do you see any oil accumulated on the valve cover anywhere? How does the vent hose look on the valve cover?

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes I do think there is a valve cover issue. While I did not have the shop do a smoke test I did see a post in here where there was a video that showed how to check the valve cover for a faulty PCV by removing the oil filler cap while the engine was running. Basically my car does the same thing, it lopes at idle and when you remove the oil filler cap you have to overcome a significant amount of suction pressure to pull the cap off and then the engine runs at a higher idle (but steady). Does that tell you anything?

 

I'm not sure about that method. However, I have seen P1497 - Downstream Throttle Air Leak - associated with a cracked valve cover/faulty PCV. The PCV valve is built into the valve cover of the R56 MINI. It's not a separate part so the whole cover will need to be replaced. We have info the valve cover in this article here: MINI Cooper R56 Valve Cover Replacement (2007-2011) | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article. Do you have any oil residue anywhere on the valve cover? Check the vent hose as well, #1 on the diagram below:



Here is where it attaches to the valve cover. This image is figure 4 in the valve cover tech article I linked above:



Again, doing the proper diagnosis work before replacing parts is what I first recommend. So maybe clear your codes and see what pops back up as this MINI is somewhat new to you and there may be old stored codes. Then I'd suggest doing a smoke test.

 

Can you help explain how to clear the codes?

 

If you have a MINI scan tool you can plug into your OBDII port and clear codes that way. If you don't, you can check out the iCarly App as it can clear codes for you. You can also bring it to a shop and they can clear the codes for you possibly for a small fee. If you plan to work on your MINI in the future it's not a bad idea to invest in a good scan tool. We have options if you're interested as well. Please don't hesitate to shoot me a PM if you need further help with all of this and I'd be more than happy to help you.

 

Ok, I cleared all the codes and then put a few hours of drive time on her. Here are the codes I now get. PO237, PO136, PO141. Also, there is definitely a leaky valve cover.

 

P237 is Turbocharger boost sensor A circuit, low

P0136 o/2 sensor circuit malfunction, (bank 1, sensor 2)

P0141 0/2 sensor heater circuit malfunction, (bank 1, sensor 2)

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

Ok, great. That narrows it down a bit.

P0237 Turbocharger Boost Sensor 'A' Circuit Low

Not MINI specific, but some info here. Not much out there for that code, but maybe check over your sensor in this article here. Check over the wiring and connection.

For P0136 - you have 2 possible MINI FC codes:
1. 0x2A7F - O2 Sensor Circuit (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
2. 0x2D22 - Oxygen sensor behind catalytic converter, electrical: Open circuit

Assuming it's 1 because that is the code that you pulled initially.

For P0141 - you have 2 possible MINI FC codes:
1. 0x2A56 - 02 Sensor Heater Circuit (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
2. 0x2D13 - Heater for oxygen sensor behind catalytic converter, operation: Internal resistance too high

Assuming it's 1 because that is the code that you pulled initially.

Both codes point to O2 sensor issue. For the valve cover, did you see oil or hear a noise of a leak?

 

Yes I need a valve cover and an o2 sensor please quote

 

Valve cover here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg1.htm#item1
DIY: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...eplacement.htm
O2 sensors here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg1.htm#item0
DIY: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...eplacement.htm

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

I have now replaced the valve cover and now have a new issue. First I want to mention that when I removed the old valve cover there was a good bit of white looking grease on the underside of the valve cover and was completely covering what I assume is the cam position sensor (a small sensor that is located in the top right corner of the cover). When I replaced the cover I forgot to connect that sensor and while the engine ran very smooth it took a very long time (about 7 seconds of cranking to start) to start. Once started I cleared all codes and let the car run and checked for leaks around gasket. When I pulled the codes I noticed I was getting one that I never saw before and that was a camshaft position sensor code. So I then found out that I had left the sensor unplugged. Once I plugged it up the code went away but the car began idling rough again. That being said I am now getting 3 codes:
PO237
PO340
PO136
Help!!!! Do I need to replace the camshaft placement sensor? Where do I find the turbo boost sensor? How do I know which one of the o2 sensors need replacing ??

 

P0237 - Turbocharger Boost Sensor 'A' Circuit Low

Some info HERE. Also, we have a tech article about the sensor and how to test it CLICK HERE.

P0340 - Camshaft Position Sensor 'A' Circuit (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)

First, did you clear all the codes, even when the code went away? You must clear the codes as it will store them still. Clear them and see what comes back. You can test your camshaft sensor. This should help you: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...or_Testing.htm.

For the 02 sensor, it's Bank 1 Sensor 2, which I believe is post-cat. I linked a thread above to help with the sensor locations if needed.

 

Can you please quote me the turbo boost sensor and the post catalytic O2 sensor?

 

Also, there is a clip that holds all hose on the valve cover. If you are facing the engine it is located on the hose that comes off the large hose from the MAF. I noticed when replacing the valve cover and removing that hose.

 

Make sure you're diagnosing these things before replacing the parts to be sure that this is your issue.

Post-cat O2 sensor: http://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Inf...8-961-M209.htm.
Boost sensor: (highlighted in green) http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...-7-535-069-M14

For the clip, are you talking about #16 on the diagram below? If so, it is HERE.

 

OK I am now down to one code.....PO237. This is turbo boost pressure sensor. I replaced the sensor and cleared the code but the code remains. Any suggestions?

 

Check the sensor harness located on the exhaust manifold. Make sure it is not damaged causing a short. Make sure there aren't any pinched or damaged wires.

Let's see what Nick has to suggest for the code. Go to this article here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...eplacement.htm and scroll to the comment box at the bottom where it says "write a comment." Put the fault code there with your MINI info and include which sensor you replaced, but the code still remains. Include as much detail about this issue as possible. He might have some additional input.