Hello all, im new to the forum. And looking for some advice.

Im helping out a mate with a mini cooper 2007 or 08 petrol r56 with n12 engine.

The problem started with, P0015 and P0014 (ehaust timing advanced and retarded) and a rattle which eventaly lead to low power.

Chain seems to be a common fault for the rattle so we replaced the chain and tensioner. (No oviouse issues with the original chain) however the engine was out of time but timed it back up with the new chain assembly installed. Cam lock, and flyweel position pin.

Also took the opertunity to bore scope the pistons to make sure the valves wernt damaged, all looked good.

At this point we are back together, engine starts fine for a 20 seconds then runs lumpy and cuts out... still with 0015 and 0014 fault code.

So after a little more reserch we think vanos solinode exhaust side. So we replace that.. engine runs fine idle seems good under no load runs through the rev range.. great.. however after say 2-3 key ons fault code come back (after clearing)

Im a little stumped tbh so did the following checks.

Swaped the vanos solinoids around, still getting p0015 and 14.
Swaped the cam sensors around, no change.
Unpluged the crank sensor, engine dident start which makes sence.
Unpluged the cam sensor one at a time and started, seperate fault codes apear for each sensor.

It must be an electrical issue as the engine seem to run fine. Just cant get rid of thease fault codes.
And i think the sensors are doing something, suppose thats not to say there not faulty. However would expect there individual faukt codes as well.

Any advice would be great. Im at a loss now.

 

You posted in the 3rd Generation section. You will get better help in the correct forum section.

 

I'm no expert but it reads like the camshafts are not properly timed.

This video may be of some help: