My oil is creamy brown looking. I now have it parked until i can get a full diagnostic done. At this point I would like a list of parts that I need to source.
Part # etc.

Thanks in advance.

 

dO YOU LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE temps get below freezing? If so might just be condinsation in valve cover. Did you throw any CEL,s ? If not check compression in each cylinder. If all equal and meet specks may not be gasket. Good luck

 

Yes. I live in central NJ and for the past couple weeks the temp has dropped. I'm not familiar with the term (throw cel) I will get a compression test done this week. I've only had the car for three months

Thanks

 

CEL = check engine light

 

If your head gasket was blown you would have a big drop in power, white smoke on start up, rough start up followed by a limp mode or engine shudder, and you would smell something sweet.

 

Head gasket issue
Warp head
Crack cylinder block/head


Are you losing coolant?
Experiencing any overheating?

 

i thought my head gasket was blown but it turned out to be a warped and cracked head. our cars are new gaskets dont usually give out but the pressure does crack the heads.

 

The car overheated after a long trip 3wks ago. After it cooled down, I proceeded to add coolant and bleed the system. I checked the oil which was clear, and the fans operated perfectly.

Now Only thing I've noticed are low coolant levels, and my oil has a brown milkshake looking color. I will have OK I have more of a understanding of what I'm u against. I hope I don't have a cracked he$d

Thanks for your help guys

 

How would I know if my head is cracked?

 

Not necessarily. Head gaskets can "blow" in different ways and to different degrees of severity. The compromise can occur cylinder-to-cylinder, cylinder-to-cooling jacket, or cooling jacket-to-outside world. In rare circumstances very unlikely in a MINI, the compromise can even occur cylinder-to-outside world, with no compromise of the cooling system at all.

I have personally experienced (in other cars, not the MINI) very mild head gasket compromises that simply resulted in squirting coolant out the side of the head, which I could live with for a few weeks until repair was convenient. It turned out it was a combination of bad gasket manufacturing lots and a design flaw in the placement of head studs. A different gasket and some ARP head bolts tightened things up properly.

 

Visually? nope it's hard to see. The water jacket of the head is inside the unit. But do one at the time...i hope its not crack head too. good luck.

 

Well noted. What's the difference between a JCW Head and Stock. I'm thinking about sourcing a stock MCS head and machine to JCW spec. Good or bad Idea.

 

I too have had experience with a compromised head gasket on my 95 318ti but on these minis its very unlikely to have a gasket give out. But in your case you did say you over heated so the gasket is the first thing to look at and hopefully the only thing wrong because thats much cheaper than a cracked head. You can take it to a shop and they can do a pressure test on the motor and check the compression. Mine was weird the compression on all the cylinders was fine but there was water leaking into the 2nd cylinder. The first instinct is gasket which again is shocking to begin with. Note: i took my car to MiniCorsa. Best of luck! Im not sure about the machining of the head i would much rather go on the safe side either run the stock MCS head or buy another JCW head. Thats just my 2 cents

 

Keep an eye on the coolant the next few days. Do you have a rough start? any power loss? see any white smoke/sweet smell on start up?

 

I was advised not to drive the car and get it towed to a shop. She's been sitting for a week. Start up is fine, and I have noticed a slight loss in power. I will check it out over the wknd.

 

The shop I wanted to take my car to is advising that I swap out the engine. I royaly screwed. I just bought this car 3 months ago.

 

What does it means?
Did you ask them why ?
Did you even ask what is the problem of your engine?

You need 2nd opinion if you don't know what's happening with your car.

 

All cash together now. 2nd opinion is in progress. I let you guys know the outcome.

fingers crossed