I have been searching and I haven't found a definite answer, so I figured that I should ask the question.


So I my 2004 mcs has some really noisy lifters. I brought it into my local dealership to just double check that it wasn't something else and they confirmed that yes in fact the noise is coming from the lifters. They quoted a $1200-1300 repair bill (can't remember the exact total), but assured me that I am not doing any damage to my motor driving it this way.


So what should I do. I really don't like the noise, but 1200+ might make me live with it for a while if I truly won't do any damage.


My other question is, I have been keeping an eye on fleebay for remanufactured cylinder heads, and well it would cost me less for a new head (not counting install mind you). Could this be a better way to go?


What is the opinion of the NAM community?

 

You can replace you the lifters without removing the head from the car. It is not a terribly hard DIY, just requires removing the valve cover. Zip-tie the timing chain in place while you work so it can't jump timing.

There are non-dealer OEM quality lifters available, too - check ECSTuning and FCP Euro. Maybe half the price of dealer parts.

I managed to free a stuck lifter on a V8 BMW using Rislone oil treatment. It's a detergent, really. No magic. But there are some risks of cleaning out deposits in an older engine, something to weigh against the possible good. Only $10 or so.

 

I will check out ecstuning to see what they have in terms of lifters. I'm also going to check to see if I can find a DIY video on it. I think changing my brakes ranks as the hardest DIY that I've done.

 

I know there are YouTube videos on valve cover gasket replacement - that gets you to where the valve cover is off and the lifters are exposed.

then you would have to switch out the lifters. Another 6-8 bolts... Being careful. Not for the bull-in-the-China-shop types. Requires a torque wrench. Replace the valve cover gasket while at it.

IMO, A mechanic that has done this before should be able to do the job in 3-4 hours. $600 in parts for genuine MINI from ECSTuning. $280 for AJUSA parts from FCPEuro.

 

Here a link to the parts.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2004-Cooper-R53-S-Coupe-L4_1.6L_W11B16A/Engine/Mechanical/2

 

Depending on the condition of your head you may be able to contact a machine shop and see if they can clean it up for you. Otherwise, can check out for parts here and search around our DIY tech articles here (valve cover gasket replacement DIY) to see if you can find anything that may be helpful. Good luck!

-Luccia

 

thank you for the suggestions. I'm going to try meeting with a local mechanic to see if he can give me a quote for the install, I'll supply the parts. I might get the courage to tackle the install, depends how much $$ I can save.

 

I would try the chemical approach first. The risk is you clean out some carbon or sludge that was holding old parts together, preventing a leak, etc., but you have the same risk when someone starts wrenching on it. $5 gets you a bottle of super duper detergent. Just make sure you don't over fill the oil capacity. If the dipstick is on full, you will have to drain some. If the dipstick is on halfway between the marks, use half a bottle. Use the whole bottle only if the oil is just registering on the low end of the dipstick.

http://www.amazon.com/Rislone-4102-Yellow-Treatment-Concentrate/dp/B0078661MK

 

well I tried the chemical treatment, purchased some Rislone Yellow treatment a few weeks ago. It seems to be helping somewhat, lifters aren't as noisy now as they were. I've only burned through maybe half a tank of gas since adding the treatment, so I'm hoping there are more improvements to come! If this doesn't solve the problem, I also know where to find the parts (thank you Pelican Parts and ECS tuning.)

This community rocks, so much better than any of the previous Honda communities that I participated in.

 

You are welcome

We have the largest MINI parts catalog !

 

Glad it seems to be helping. I also love BG products and have seen them quiet up engines pretty drastically before. Next time around maybe try and see what additional help the BG 109 and BG RF7 might do. Just another option to play with. Hope things continue to get better with the noise! And if you have any other questions please do not hesitate to ask.

-Luccia

 

This job is about 1.5hrs, intercooler off, cam cover off, rocker shafts off, no need to touch cam sprocket at all, slide off rockers, check and clean shaft/s lube and slide on new, which are around £52.00 each from BMW, torque down shafts evenly, reassemble and start car. I just did this, and had found all exhaust rockers with loads of lash, and No.1 inlets, swapped them all, and car is a different vehicle which just found another 21whp afterwards.


Barely any tools are required, and I would recommend and engine oil flush and change after, as you have added stuff you don't really want in there.


Mine had been noisy for two years and 10-12k, sounded like an old Peugeot.