Hello all!
Recently bought a 2007 Mini Cooper S from a neighbor that has a bad motor. No compression in #2 from damaged piston. I'm in the beginning stages of removing the motor. Already picked up a low mileage used motor.
Hope I don't get in over my head!

 

Hello brother...welcome aboard.

how do you know it is a damaged piston?

 

Neighbor gave me the info from the local shop that looked at it. I think they ran a compression test. That's when they found no compression in #2 and ran a borescope down the spark plug hole. it still ran but smoked like a chimney! Car has 87K, the replacement motor only has 66K.

 

IMO make some detailed sketches or take photos on how things are attached, wired or plugged in. Several posts here recently where after working on the motor area, the car would not start only to find out a simple wire was not attached/plugged in correctly.

 

Good deal... I did rebuilds for these engines and they arent that bad.

 

Welcome!


Lots to do, but for the most part the tasks are easy and not overwhelming if taken one at a time.


Lots of information is here and don't be afraid to share your experiences.


Motor On!

 

Welcome should be a good project

 

Welcome to NAM. Lots of members have done this project as well so you should find a wealth of knowledge on this forum. Good luck and be sure to post up pictures of your R56 once you've completed the project!

 

Hi and welcome to the NAM family!
I am not sure if you plan on keeping this car, or selling it on, but You should think strongly of keeping it, to find why we are all here! Once you have this go kart riding down the road, it will be hard to figure why you had not driven one sooner!


The other thing is... Your old engine may not be as in trouble as you may think. The head/valve guides/ valves and inlet ports may be the real problem. The valve guides wear and then the valves stop seating and walla... no compression in a cylinder, or the intake is totally blocked in the dead cylinder with carbon build up (common on second gen Minis')

Keep us posted!
Welcome to NAM

 

Well the replacement is now in the car. Still have lots to reconnect. I did pull the head from the damaged motor. Looks like a chip on the outer edge of piston#2 caused the issue. The head itself is in good shape. I will probably list it for sale. Is there any value in the block with the pistons or should it be sent to the recycler? Figured I can sell the head and valve cover at least to help recoupe some costs for the replacement motor.