JCW Carbon build-up problem..............
#1
#2
On the N14 motor it is somewhat dependent on driving style and weather conditions etc. But the safe bet is that between 30,000-50,000 miles you will have enough build up to make it worthwhile to get a walnut blasting done.
It seems the average price for an independent shop is bout $350. Dealers charge more.
My car was t 99,000 miles and I thought it ran great. Had the first cleaning done then and found out what I was missing. Car was much more responsive immediately after.
It seems the average price for an independent shop is bout $350. Dealers charge more.
My car was t 99,000 miles and I thought it ran great. Had the first cleaning done then and found out what I was missing. Car was much more responsive immediately after.
#3
I've had my JCW a little longer than you have and have wondered about this also. At least once a week I red line the RPM's to burn off carbon build up. About 7000 miles ago I started adding Liqui Moly Jectron on a regular basis of 1200 - 1300 miles, the car now has over 32,000 miles and of course I use premium fuel. Only time will tell if this will work or not, just have to wait and see.
#4
When I was in for the 30K service, I talked to my service tech about his experience with carbon buildup on N18 engines. He reported that he has noticed a big difference between N14 and N18 engines. Very little (if any) buildup on N18s. Like Tex6 Hawkeye, I like to rev it up periodically just for good measure and fun.
#6
#7
short wait , My Brother........ same thing happened on the way home ...I was shocked I gave it the gas and I literally did a burn out .....DAMN! It's like a new car ..mind you I've only had it for a month .. I have nothing to compare it to... only this new experience of driving it as a used vehicle and I was still in love with it. Not knowing how much get up and go it was missing!
Trending Topics
#8
#9
When I was in for the 30K service, I talked to my service tech about his experience with carbon buildup on N18 engines. He reported that he has noticed a big difference between N14 and N18 engines. Very little (if any) buildup on N18s. Like Tex6 Hawkeye, I like to rev it up periodically just for good measure and fun.
At 2K, my average was about 18-20 mpg not going over 4K rpm. Now at 3.7K with more aggressive engine rev up to the red line, I average about 26 mpg. It seems to run cleaner.
For now, the engine doesn't seem to complain...... no time to build up carbon but packing heat at an alarming rate. I am wondering what is melting every time I park my car in the garage.
#10
#11
If you want to carbon blast DIY here with the tools linked:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-cleaning.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-cleaning.html
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
#12
If you want to carbon blast DIY here with the tools linked: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-cleaning.html
#13
Thanks. Read this entire thread a few days back and just wanted to know if anyone bought the Bavarian kit specifically. I don't want to fab a kit myself and want everything to work correctly and want feedback as to if its undersized etc. By the way....ECS....just received my shipment from you guys. Thanks. Haha.
You are welcome. Ok, did not know ,you knew about the DIY thread.
Thanks
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
#14
Carbon problem............
So, at the bottom line my understanding is every Mini owner should expect to have to do a carbon blasting at about 30-50K because of a flaw in the original engine design that is not covered by the maintenance and warranty program.
What are the other major problems on the N18 engine?
What are the other major problems on the N18 engine?
#15
valve damage
I have 2006 convertible. Not turbo. 70,000 miles. Never heard of carbon build up problems and it was serviced at Mini dealer. Recently engine light came on. Went to independent shop because I no longer trust mini dealers. Diagnosed as misfiring. After investigation, it was found that the valves were cracked and damaged due to carbon build up. After removing head, it was found that all valves needed replacement. Obviously this will be extremely expensive. Does anyone have ideas on the cause? Mechanic could only say it should be cleaned regularly and try different gas. Is there any recourse to the manufacturer?
#16
I have 2006 convertible. Not turbo. 70,000 miles. Never heard of carbon build up problems and it was serviced at Mini dealer. Recently engine light came on. Went to independent shop because I no longer trust mini dealers. Diagnosed as misfiring. After investigation, it was found that the valves were cracked and damaged due to carbon build up. After removing head, it was found that all valves needed replacement. Obviously this will be extremely expensive. Does anyone have ideas on the cause? Mechanic could only say it should be cleaned regularly and try different gas. Is there any recourse to the manufacturer?
On the newer direct injection engine, this preventative maintenance doesn't work so well....
#17
I have 2006 convertible. Not turbo. 70,000 miles. Never heard of carbon build up problems and it was serviced at Mini dealer. Recently engine light came on. Went to independent shop because I no longer trust mini dealers. Diagnosed as misfiring. After investigation, it was found that the valves were cracked and damaged due to carbon build up. After removing head, it was found that all valves needed replacement. Obviously this will be extremely expensive. Does anyone have ideas on the cause? Mechanic could only say it should be cleaned regularly and try different gas. Is there any recourse to the manufacturer?
Ok just saw the last reply after I wrote this.
#18
#19
#20
I have 2006 convertible. Not turbo. 70,000 miles. Never heard of carbon build up problems and it was serviced at Mini dealer. Recently engine light came on. Went to independent shop because I no longer trust mini dealers. Diagnosed as misfiring. After investigation, it was found that the valves were cracked and damaged due to carbon build up. After removing head, it was found that all valves needed replacement. Obviously this will be extremely expensive. Does anyone have ideas on the cause? Mechanic could only say it should be cleaned regularly and try different gas. Is there any recourse to the manufacturer?
Use high octane fuel, synthetic oil and drive regularly on a highway at high speed.High revs when you accelerate are not so good, the pressure will inject oil in the combustion.
#21
#23
My 2012 JCW Convertible is at the dealer now getting walnut shell blasting done. I bought the car Feb 1, 2014 with 8,070 miles on it and it now has 30,500 on it. I'm getting misfires when apply full throttle at intermittent intervals. It took a bit of pushing on my part but my dealer is covering the cost "this time".
#24
My 2012 JCW Convertible is at the dealer now getting walnut shell blasting done. I bought the car Feb 1, 2014 with 8,070 miles on it and it now has 30,500 on it. I'm getting misfires when apply full throttle at intermittent intervals. It took a bit of pushing on my part but my dealer is covering the cost "this time".
I bought the media blaster from harbour freight about a month ago. My 2011 JCW has 49,000 on the clock and I'll attempt the cleaning myself this summer.